Ramdan is the holiest month of the Ramdan. It’s the Ninth month of Islamic calender , which falls after shaban .In the month of Ramdan the Good deeds get 70 times more reward than the normal. Ramdan is pronounced differently in different languages. Azerbaijani say Ramazan same as it’s pronounced in Persian. In Bengali” Romojan”.In Kurdish Romanized or Remezan. In Somali Rabadaan or Rabmadaan. While as in Turkish Ramazan and in Zazaki Remezan. With observances Sawm (fasting) the other observances done during this whole month are Zakat and Sadaqah (alms giving), Commemorating ( Nights of Al-Qadr), Reading the holy Quran, abstaining from all bad deeds and staying humble and offering taraweeh Prayers. Most importantly intercourse between married people is banned and any other sexual activity is completely banned in the month of Ramdan as it’s among those things that breaks the fast. Fasting from sunrise to sunset is Fard (Obligatory) for all Muslims except minors (Minors declared by islam) , acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic or menstruating. The Roza begins with predawn meal called “Suhur” and ends with nightly feast called Iftaar. In other words from Sunrise to sunset. But in some parts of the world the sunset takes place very late or where there no sunset takes place (midnight or polar night) the fatwas for those places has been issued that they follow the time table of Mecca. It’s a common practice to follow the timetable of closest country in which night can be distinguished from day. With restrictions on eating from sunrise and sunset drinking, use of tobacco products and sinful behavior are strictly prohibited in Ramdan. If we speak about the Etymology the word Ramadan derives from the Arabic root R-M-D “Scorching heat, which is the classical Arabic verb ” Ramidha” which means “Becomes Intensely hot” . In the second year of Hijra (624CE) came the command of the Fast . In Quran Almighty Allah says In Chapter 2, Verse 185 “The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful”. In the month of Ramdan a holiest night falls called Laylat al-Qadr . The Laylat al-Qadr referred to as Shab E Qadir falls on the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramdan but the common agreeing on Shab-E-Qadr is that it’s on 27th day of Ramdan. Laylat al-Qadr is the day when Quran was sent down on the earth. During the month of Ramdan the gates of hell are shut and the gates of Paradise are thrown open, with that the devils ( Ibees) are put in chains. Ramdan is the month which is for the cleaning of soul, making heart give up Worldly desires and fill it up with the power of Imman again. With these things Ramdan teaches self control. It prohibits us to use abusive words during the course of roza as it effects the fast. Fasting shows us the value of having food and also gives an understanding about the plight of those who have nothing or barely to eat for. The fasting mainly is concerned with the spiritual uplifting as during the whole month people are involved in prayers and reciting holly Quran. Iftar is one of the things that attracts people all around the world. In different places of world different types of dishes are served at the times of Iftaar. Khajoor the most prefered thing while breaking the fast which was used by Prophet Mohmmad (PBUH) by himself. As many as cores of dates are used all round the month of ramadan . Water is usually the beverage of choice, but juice and milk are also often available, as are soft drinks and caffeinated beverages.
The fasting mainly is concerned with the spiritual uplifting as during the whole month people are involved in prayers and reciting holly Quran. Iftar is one of the things that attracts people all around the world.
In the Middle East, iftar consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers; one or more main dishes; and rich desserts, with dessert considered the most important aspect of the meal.Typical main dishes include lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf. Desserts may include luqaimat, baklava or kunafeh.Over time, the practice of iftar has involved into banquets that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of diners. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the largest mosque in the UAE, feeds up to thirty thousand people every night.Some twelve thousand people attend iftar at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. The tarawih after the isha prayers is offered during the month of Ramdan. A special kind of Prayers offered only in the month of Ramdan. In some Muslim countries, eating in public during daylight hours in Ramadan is a crime.[The sale of alcohol becomes prohibited during Ramadan in Egypt.The penalty for publicly eating, drinking or smoking during Ramadan can result in fines and/or incarceration in the countries of Kuwait,Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Malaysia. In the United Arab Emirates, the punishment is community service. In some countries, the observance of Ramadan has been restricted. In the USSR, the practice of Ramadan was suppressed by officials. In Albania, Ramadan festivities were banned during the communist period. However, many Albanians continued to fast secretly during this period. China is widely reported to have banned Ramadan fasting since 2012 in Xinjiang. Those caught fasting by the government could be sent to a “re-education camp”. Some countries impose modified work schedules. In the UAE, employees may work not more than six hours per day and thirty-six hours per week. Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait have similar laws. The month of Ramdan ends with the Celebration of Eid which allows Muslims to have food in normal routine.
( The author is a freelancer and frequently writes for “ Kashmir Horizon”. Views are his own)
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