What you need to know about Ramadhan

Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic religion.

During this season, Muslims remember the revelation of the Quran.  They fast from food and drinks from 6 am to 6 pm (the sunlit hours).

Ramadan, which means “scorching heat” in Arabic, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims fast for 30 days.

It is a month set aside for spiritual growth and Muslims spend more time performing special prayers and reading the Quran. 

It is a period of drawing closer to Allah through devotion and helps in understanding the suffering of the less fortunate.

It is intended to teach Muslims the virtues of patience, humility, and submissiveness to Allah.

Fasting (sawm) is one of the five pillars of  Islam observed as a means of celebrating their faith together with Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), and the Hajj pilgrimage.

Why is it celebrated?

This month is believed to be a month of revelations of God to humankind, being the month in which the first verses were revealed to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.

Every Muslim follower is expected to fast except pregnant or nursing women, menstruating women, sick, or elderly people, travelers, and children below puberty age.

The fast usually takes place between 11-16 hours of the day during the 30 days. 

During this period Muslims train themselves physically and spiritually to avoid negative traits such as as gossiping, backbiting, lying, or arguing.

It is also a period to unite during the prayer hours at the mosque which brings together family and friends.

They also share meals at breakfast hours or dinner hours after going to the mosque for the night prayer and a special Ramadan prayer called Taraweeh.

Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran, which comprises thirty juz' (sections),114 chapters, over the thirty days of Ramadan.

Some Muslims incorporate a recitation of one juz' into each of the thirty tarawih sessions observed during the month.

A Muslim family usually rises before dawn and eats a modest, breakfast-like meal called suhur.

After the fast, the believers break it(iftar)by consuming dates and water while some can opt for other light foods such as soup, appetizers, or fruit. 

Eating dates commemorates Muhammad's practice of breaking the fast with three dates.

During the night of power known as Lailat al-Qad in the last 10 days of Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the day the most blessed night the Quran was first revealed.

It is most widely observed on the 27th night of Ramadan.