Conclusion: What Ramadan Means for Muslims Worldwide. Ramadan goes beyond being the month of fasting. It also signifies great spiritual growth, community bonding, and self-restraint and thrift. Each part of Ramadan, from the pre-dawn meal to housekeeping during the long night prayers, was made for drawing Muslims closer to Allah and to each other. Mohammed El-Dahshan, 38-year-old “mesaharati,” or dawn caller, accompanies his donkey wrapped with colored led lights to wake Muslims up for a meal before sunrise, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in the Delta city of Dikernis, Egypt, about 93 miles (150 kilometers) north of Cairo, early Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Ramadan is that month for over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. From dawn to sunset, Muslims refrain from food, drink, and sexual relations to focus on spiritual growth and self-discipline. Ramadan is the time for Muslims to learn to control themselves and to develop their spiritual side. Basically, Muslims try to have a pre-dawn meal, known as sahur, before they begin fasting. The fast lasts from dawn to sunset. As soon as the sun has set, Muslims break their fast without delay. 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. The daily fast in Ramadan includes abstaining from all food and drink – not even a sip of water is allowed – from dawn to sunset before breaking the fast in a meal known as “iftar” in Arabic. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar during which the Holy Quran was sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). During this time, Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset, a command given to Muslims in the Quran itself, instructing believers to observe fasting as an act of devotion and self-discipline. Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. It means to refrain from food, drink, sexual intercourse and all that which breaks the fast from dawn till dusk (sunset) with only intention to do so for obedience to Allah. The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to Allah and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by practicing Muslims as a month of fasting, reflection, and prayer. It commemorates the first revelation of Muhammed and, as such, observance of the month is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. When Is Ramadan? Ramadan: what it means for general practice Br J Gen Pract. 2014 Jul;64(624):356. doi: 10.3399/bjgp14X680605. Author Faraz Mughal 1 Ramadan is the month of fasting, one of five pillars of Islam, and is ordained for Muslims in the Qur’an.1 In the Arabic language the word for fasting ‘sawm’ means abstinence, and this applies to eating, drinking, sexual relations, and all immoral vices from dawn to sunset. Islam exempts the duty of fasting for pregnant or nursing women where there is reason to fear harm to the mother or The meaning of Ramadan is a sacred month of spiritual reflection, devotion, and discipline for Muslims around the world. It is believed to be the month in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, making it a time to prepare for Ramadan by deepening one’s connection with the holy text and seeking spiritual growth. The word “Ramadan” itself comes from the Arabic root “ramida” or “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat or dryness. This might symbolize the burning away of sins through fasting and good deeds, or the intense spiritual effort required during this month. 10 Importance of Ramadan 1. A Month of Revelation of the Quran. Ramadan holds immense significance as the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Quran is the ultimate guide for humanity, and its revelation during Ramadan highlights the importance of this month. Quranic Reference: Ramadan is the month of fasting, one of five pillars of Islam, and is ordained for Muslims in the Qur’an.1 In the Arabic language the word for fasting ‘sawm’ means abstinence, The phrase means “Happy Ramadan” and is frequently used during Ramadan, a time when fasting, prayer and reflection are heavily prioritized. It is one of the most sacred times for Muslims and Simply put, Ramadan will always arrive eleven days earlier than it did the preceding year. How Long Is Ramadan? The month of Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, depending upon the sighting of two new moons. The first one signals the start of Ramadan and the second one determines the end of the sacred month and the beginning of Shawwal. As Ramadan begins for Muslims around the world, Afshan Khan, a Resource Manager in our Architecture Data Information and Innovation team, shares her thoughts and reflections on what this important time in the Islamic calendar means to her.
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