Ramadan

For all you Muslims out there, August 1st is going to be a big day. Yep, it is the first day of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar (the 9th month) where Muslims around the world fast. The dates of when Ramadan takes place depends on the solar calendar, and so each year it starts about 10 days earlier. It lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on the new moon. From sunrise to sunset, one is not allowed to eat or drink anything. Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam and must thus be done by all Muslims who are capable. That is, if one is ill, too old, too young, sick, etc, they are of course excused.

Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed from Allah to the prophet Mohammad. Because of this, the month is very holy and people must quit any bad habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol. Fasting is not the only activity done during Ramadan. Muslims also read the Qur'an and do acts of charity such as giving to the poor.

The act of fasting during Ramadan is to see how poor people live, and to experience their pain. It teaches one to appreciate what he has and help those who have less. That said, after breaking fast at sunset, you cannot just stuff yourself with a huge meal of expensive sweets and meats because that defeats the whole purpose. Poorer people do not have that luxury and that needs to be considered. It is encouraged to instead eat a healthy meal, as one would any other night of the year.

Laylat al Qa-dr is the most holy night of the year in Islam, as it is believed to be the night God first revealed the Qur'an to the prophet Mohammad. This night is usually in the last 10 days of Ramadan and is always on an odd day, either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th.

Eid Ul-Fitr is the day that marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan. The last day is marked by the new moon, as is the first day of Ramadan. On this day, a celebration takes place and foods and clothing are donated to the poor. Rather then praying 5 times a day, on this day you pray twice as an act of thankfulness towards Allah.
Happy Fasting!



Love,
ALPHA