During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast (Arabic: صوم, sawm; Persian: روزہ, rozeh), every day from dawn to sunset. Fasting requires the abstinence from sex, food, drinking, and smoking. Ramadan, in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan that the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran. CAIRO (AP) — Observant Muslims the world over will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts. For Muslims, it’s a time of increased worship, religious reflection, charity and good deeds. Ramadan fasting, also known as Sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam – the core practices of the religion. It involves abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) each day for the entire month of Ramadan. Emrah Gurel. FILE - Worshippers perform a night prayer called 'Tarawih' during the eve of the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Turkey at the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul Most Muslims fast for eleven to sixteen hours during Ramadan. However, in polar regions, the period between dawn and sunset may exceed twenty-two hours in summer. For example, in 2014, Muslims in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Trondheim, Norway, fasted almost twenty-two hours, while Muslims in Sydney, Australia, fasted for only about eleven hours. Muslims must have the intention to fast every night during the month of Ramadan. They also must abstain from acts that nullify the fast: eating, drinking, smoking, engaging in sexual intercourse, intentionally vomiting, menstruating, or bleeding during childbirth. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for 30 days until the day of Eid al-Fitr. Fasting is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory acts of worship for every Muslim. Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods of worship. Muslims will fast from dawn to dusk - and are expected to abstain from Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Muslims believe this month was when God began to reveal the Qur’an to Muhammad in 610. While there are some exceptions, Muslims are told to fast during Ramadan. The fasting means nothing consumed, including water, from the first light of sunrise, until the sun is fully set. The Islamic calendar consists of 12 lunar months, with each month lasting between 29 and 30 days, depending on the moon's sighting. The beginning of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is a time of great devotion, self-discipline, and reflection for Muslims worldwide. In addition to being a guide for millions of individuals in their daily prayers, the exact fasting timings—which specify when to begin and end the fast each day—are crucial to this sacred observance. Observant Muslims worldwide will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts. For Muslims, it’s a time of increased worship The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is fast approaching, with Muslims around the world preparing for around 30 days of fasting from pre-dawn to sunset. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows the movements of the earth around the sun, the Islamic Hijri calendar follows a lunar calendar, meaning that the month can fall in different seasons of Muslim girls carry torches during a parade to celebrate the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Polewali Mandar, West Sulawesi, Indonesia The beauty of Islam is that non-Muslims find it just as interesting and captivating as Muslims, and one of their most frequently asked questions concerning Ramadan is “why do Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan?” This post will explore the wisdom behind fasting during Ramadan and the purpose of Ramadan considering Islamic principles. Ramadan’s timing and practices can vary depending on location and culture. For example, in countries with long daylight hours, Muslims may fast for 18-20 hours a day, while in others, the fast may be shorter. 4. “Ramadan is Just for Muslims” While Ramadan is an Islamic practice, its values of self-discipline, gratitude, and charity are How Muslims Fast. According to Muslims, fasting in Ramadan means abstaining not only from food and drink, but also from sexual intercourse, lying, arguing, and back-biting. While fasting, Muslims must be careful to restrain their tongues, temper, and even their gaze. Fasting, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is a requirement during the month of Ramadan for those who are able to do it safely. Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sundown.
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