Ramadan

This article is about the religious observances and holiday by the name of Ramadan. For information about the ninth month of the Islamic calendar called Ramadan, see Ramadan (calendar month).

Part of the series on Islam History of Islam

Beliefs and practices

Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer · Fasting Pilgrimage · Charity

Major figures

Muhammad Ali · Abu Bakr Companions of Muhammad Household of Muhammad Prophets of Islam

Texts & law

Qur'an · Hadith · Sharia Jurisprudence Biographies of Muhammad

Branches of Islam

Sunni · Shi'a · Sufi

Sociopolitical aspects

Art · Architecture Cities · Calendar Science · Philosophy Religious leaders Women in Islam Political Islam · Jihad Liberal Islam

See also

Vocabulary of Islam Index of articles on Islam

The religious observances or holiday of Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان) occur throughout the entire Islamic calendar month from which the holiday gets its name.

Fasting during Ramadan

The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by all observant Muslims. The fasting during Ramadan has been so predominant in defining the month that some have been led to believe the name of this month, Ramadan, is the name of Islamic fasting, when in reality the Islamic term for fasting is sawm.

The Holy Qur'an

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is specifically mentioned in three consecutive verses of The Holy Qur'an:

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (Yusuf Ali, 2:183)

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. (Yusuf Ali, 2:184)

Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Yusuf Ali, 2:185)

Prohibitions during the fast

Eating, drinking and sexual intercourse are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghrib). During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, angry/sarcastic retorts, gossip, and are meant to try to get along with each other better than normal. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities and its purpose being to cleanse your inner soul, and free it of harm.

Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast, though some do. However, if puberty is delayed, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age. According to Qur'an, if fasting would be dangerous to people's health, such as to people with an illness or medical condition, and sometimes elderly people, they are excused. For example, diabetics and nursing or pregnant women usually are not expected to fast. According to hadith, observing the Ramadan fast is not allowed for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is usually considered acceptable not to fast are those in battle, and travelers who intended to spend fewer than five days away from home. If one's condition preventing fasting is only temporary, one is required to make up for the days missed after the month of Ramadan is over and before the next Ramadan arrives. If one's condition is permanent or present for an extended amount of time, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.

If one does not fit into one of the exempt categories and breaks his fast out of forgetfulness, the fast is still valid. If, however, one intentionally breaks his fast, he must continue fasting for the remainder of the day but then make up for the entire day later. If one breaks the fast through consensual sexual intercourse, the trangressor must make up for the day by fasting for sixty consecutive days.

Breaking the fast

Many mosques will sponsor iftar (literally: break fast) meals after sundown for the community to come and end their day's fasting as a whole. It is also common for such meals to take place at Muslim soup kitchens.

Fasting in other religions

The Christian Lent and the Jewish Yom Kippur, Tisha B'av, Fast of Esther, Tzom Gedalia, and Fast of the Firstborn are also times of fasting. This relates to that which is mentioned in Quran 2:183, ".. Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you..", fasting is prescribed to Muslims as it was prescribed to those before them, e.g. Christian and Jewish, although the fasting practices of each religion might be different from one another. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) generally fast for 24 hours on the first Sunday of each month. Like Muslims, they refrain from all drinking and eating unless they are children or are physically unable to fast. Fasting is also a feature of ascetic traditions in religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

Other Practices

Tarawih

Main article: tarawih

During this month, extra optional prayers of eight to twenty rakah, called tarawih, are prayed each night in the mosque by Sunni Muslims.

Shia do not, and in fact refute its use as a Bid'a of Umar [1].

Eid ul-Fitr

Main article: Eid ul-Fitr

The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر) marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the beginning of the following month.

See also

• Islam

References

• Rizvi, Sayyid Muhammad (1989). "True Dawn: al-Fajr as-Sadiq". Retrieved Oct. 30, 2005.
• Yusof, Mimi Syed & Hafeez, Shahrul (Oct. 30, 2005). "When Raya was a bewildering experience". New Straits Times, p. 8.

External links

• Prayer Times Around the World
• Fasting Ramadan
• Ramadan
• An Idiot's Guide to Ramadhan
• Fasting and feasting Ramazan in Turkey
• Ramadan on the Net
• "Holy month's retailers think it's Christmas", The Australian, Martin Chulov, 31 October 2005