Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic Hijri Calendar, the ninth among twelve. It is the commemoration of one of the five Pillars of Islam, Sawm or Fasting. The month is prescribed for obligatory Fasting in the Quran as well as worship and reflection and is observed by Muslims all around the world. It is an awaited and celebrated month for Muslims seeking spiritual salvation and connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).

Sawm or Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, an obligatory act of obedience and patience with ample benefits. The month of Ramadan was eventually established in the revelation of the Quran as a holy month for fasting upon the followers of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). In the sacred text of the Quran, Allah says “O believers, fasting is enjoined on you as it was on those before you, so that you might become righteous.” (Al-Baqara:183) With this verse, the importance of Fasting in the Islamic faith was established, and later in the subsequent verses a whole month was dedicated to this practice of the prophets.

Significance of Ramadan in Quran and Hadith

“Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed as guidance to man and clear proof of the guidance, and criterion (of falsehood and truth). So when you see the new moon, you should fast the whole month, but a person who is ill or traveling (and fails to do so) should fast on other days, as God wishes ease and not hardship for you, so that you complete the (fixed) number (of fasts), and give glory to God for the guidance, and be grateful.” (Al-Baqara:185)

This yearly period of intense spiritual rejuvenation is awaited with zeal by devoted Muslims with a heightened focus on devotion and worship. Beginning the month by sighting the new crescent moon, Muslims fast the whole month, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from Fajr (dawn) to Maghrib (sunset). The intention and focus are set on cultivating piety, self-discipline, Sabr, and empathy for those who are less fortunate.

The Sahih al-Bukhari hadith number 1891, Talha bin 'Ubaidullah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrates a bedouin asking the Rasulullah (ﷺ) all the obligations Allah has made upon him. He (ﷺ) mentions the month of Ramadan along with the other obligatory tenets of Islam. In another hadith, Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1899)

Laylatul Qadr: the Night of Decree

Laylatul Qadr, the night of Decree or Power, is a significant event that all Muslims are devoted to finding in this month of blessings. It is believed to be the night when the Quran was completely revealed to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and is considered by some scholars to be the night in which the destiny of each person is decided and sealed for the next year. Others interpret it as a powerful night in which worship and righteous deeds are far more powerful than any other night. However, the precise date or figure is not stated exactly by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) or His Messenger (ﷺ).

Ibn `Umar Narrates that some men amongst the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramadan. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it (i.e. the Night of Qadr) should search in the last seven (nights of Ramadan).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2015)

Following this Hadith, several scholars commend searching for this significant night of worship on the last nights of the month. Even further, the odd nights of the month are also given importance by Allah’s messenger in the Hadith narrated by `Aisha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا): Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017)

In Surat Al-Qadr, chapter 97 of the Quran, the subject is completely dedicated to Laylatul Qadr:

“Behold, We revealed this (Qur'an) on the Night of Power. [97:1]

And what do you know what the Night of Power is? [97:2]

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. [97:3]

The angels along with the Spirit descend in it by the permission of their Lord with all kinds of decrees. [97:4]

All peace is that night until the rise of dawn. [97:5]”

Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e., belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2014) Such is the significance of the Laylatul Qadr in Islam, which several sincere Muslims dedicate themselves to in pursuit of repentance and righteous worship.

Islamic Traditions of Ramadan

Before Fajr, a meal called Sehri or Suhoor containing dates is eaten as preparation for fasting the following day. The fast is broken with the Adhan (call to prayer) for Maghrib with a brief meal called Iftaar or Iftaari, with dates and water per the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The month ends with a celebratory Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, with charity and celebrations marking a successful and hopeful end of the month of worship.

Track Ramadan with MuslimandQuran’s Islamic Calendar

Ramadan has become a tradition of reigniting faith and repentance by Muslims all over the world. Incorporating their local cuisines and cultures with this month, Ramadan is eagerly awaited for those wishing to take advantage of this holy month and get closer to their Deen.

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