Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar and the holiest of the four holy months. It begins with the sighting of the new moon after which all physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact between dawn and sunset. However, that is merely the physical component of the fast; the spiritual aspects of the fast include refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all traits of bad character. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of thought and action is paramount. Ordained in the Quran, the fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of God-consciousness. The act of fasting redirects the hearts away from worldly activities, towards The Divine.

The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. It is common to have one meal (known as the Suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the Iftar), directly after sunset. This meal will commonly consist of dates, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, the fast will often be broken by different Muslim families coming together to share in an evening meal.

Ramadan derives from the Arabic root: ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness. Since Muslims are commanded to fast during the month of Ramadan, it is believed that the month’s name may refer to the heat of thirst and hunger, or because fasting burns away one’s past sins. Muslims believe that God began revealing the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan (in the year 610 C.E.). The Qur’an commands: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint…Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting…” (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185). Fasting during Ramadan did not become an obligation for Muslims until 624 C.E., at which point it became the third of the Five Pillars of Islam. The others are faith (Shahadah); prayer (Salah); charitable giving (Zakah); and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj).

Another aspect of Ramadan is that it is believed that one of the last few odd-numbered nights of the month is the Laylat al-Qadr, the “Night of Power” or “Night of Destiny”. It is the holiest night of the holiest month; it is believed to be the night on which God first began revealing the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). This is a time for especially fervent and devoted prayer, and the rewards and blessings associated with such are manifold. Muslims are told in the Qur’an that praying throughout this one night is better than a thousand months of prayer. No one knows exactly which night it is; it is one of God’s mysteries. (Read more about Laylat al-Qadr here). Additionally, Muslims are urged to read the entire Qur’an during the month of Ramadan, and its 114 chapters have been divided into 30 equal parts for this purpose.

When the first crescent of the new moon has been officially sighted by a reliable source, the month of Ramadan is declared over, and the month of Shawwal begins. The end of Ramadan is marked by a three-day period known as Eid ul-Fitr, the “Festival of Fast-breaking”. It is a joyous time beginning with a special prayer, and accompanied by celebration, socializing, festive meals and sometimes very modest gift-giving, especially to children.

When Ramadan ends, Muslims give charity in a locally prescribed amount, calculated to feed one poor person in that region for one day. This is known as fitra, and is meant as another reminder of the suffering endured by many. Many Muslims also take this occasion to pay the annual alms which are due to the poor and needy, known as Zakah (2.5% of assets).

At the beginning of Ramadan, it is appropriate to wish Muslims “Ramadan Mubarak” which means “Blessed Ramadan.” At its conclusion, you may say “Eid Mubarak”.

(source: http://shiaonline.wordpress.com/ramadan-the-blessed-month/)

©2010 Path of Islam. All Rights Reserved.

Ramadan mubarak! Happy Ramadan! The month of fasting has begun. More than 37 countries have begun fasting today. If you are a non-Muslim who does not know what Ramadan is, read the basics here. There is a full explanation and guide to Ramadan here.

An atheist meets up with Abu Hanifa

Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanifa madhab (school of jurisprudence), was asked by the ruler to meet with the Muslims and an atheist so Abu Hanifa could debate with the atheist. They set a time for them to all gather and meet up. It was sunset at the time and one hour had passed, but Abu Hanifah still hadn’t arrived. Another hour had passed, but still there was no sign of him. The Muslims started to become tense and worried about his late arrival. They did not want the atheist to think that they were too scared to debate him, yet they did not want to take up the challenge themselves as Abu Hanifah was a better than debater than themselves. Another hour passed, and suddenly the atheist started laughing and said, “Your best debater is too scared! He knows he’s wrong, he is too frightened to come and debate with me. I guarantee he will not turn up today.”

Many hours passed until Abu Hanifa finally came. Everyone questioned him about his being late and what happened. So he started explaining how there was river that he had to cross….and he was waiting for a boat to come and bring him on the other side of the river. While he was waiting, the branches and leaves of the tree fell and slowly formed themselves into a boat. And he jumped in that boat crossed the river.

The atheist laughed bust out laughing and remarked, “Oh Abu Hanifah, I heard that you were the best debater from amongst the Muslims, I heard that you were the wisest, the most knowledgeable from amongst your people. From seeing you today, I can say that you show none of these qualities. You speak of a boat appearing from nowhere, without someone having built it. Nails positioning themselves without someone having banged them, sealant being poured without someone having poured it, and the boat taking you to your destination without a navigator against the tide. You are taking childish, you are talking ridiculous, I swear I do not believe a word of it!”

Abu Hanifah turned to the atheist and replied, “You don’t believe a word of it?”

The atheist remarked defiantly, “Yes I don’t believe a word of it!”

Abu Hanifah replied, “If you cannot believe that a boat came into being without a boat maker, than this is only a boat so how can you believe that the whole world, the universe, the stars, the oceans, and the planets came into being without a creator?

(Sources: http://www.chillyoislamyo.com/imam-abu-hanifa-vs-atheist/ and http://www.haqislam.org/stories/abu-hanifah-and-the-atheist.htm)

©2010 Path of Islam. All Rights Reserved.

The Peace and blessings of Allah (God) be upon you all.

There is an odd night among the last ten days of Ramadan that the Quran describes as a better than a thousand months worth of prayer and other forms of worship. The Quran says in its 97th Surah (chapter):

[1] Behold, from on high have We bestowed this [divine writ] on Laylat Al Qadr (Night of Destiny).

[2] And what could make thee conceive what it is, that Night of Destiny?

[3] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months:

[4] in hosts descend in it the angels, bearing divine inspiration by their Sustainer’s leave; from all [evil] that may happen

[5] does it make secure, until the rise of dawn.

(Muhammad Asad’s translation is used here because of its great accuracy in translating this chapter compared to some other translations).

Why is Laylat al Qadr/Night of Power special?

There were two periods in which the Glorious Quran was revealed. The first complete revelation occured on the Night of Power. The second was throughtout twenty-three years at various events. Therefore, the fact that the Quran was revealed on this Night makes it a very special night.

When is the Night of Power?

The exact night is unknown but it is generally agreed that it is on one of the odd nights of the last ten days:

Shias says: “So that people would worship Allah copiously for many nights, the exact night of the Night of Power has been kept a secret, but it most likely falls on the 19^th, the 21^st, or the 23^rd of the month of Ramadan”. [source]

Sunnis say “of the odd nights, the night of the 27th (which is the night before the 27th of Ramadan, for the Islamic day starts with nightfall) is most likely. Imam Shafi’i said that it is most likely to be the 21st, then the 23rd, then the 27th”. [source]

What should a Muslim do on the Night of Power?

It is important to increase your worship throughout the whole of Ramadan, and especially throughout the last ten nights. Not knowing exactly which night is Laylat Al Qadr teaches us that we should not be lazy and simply worship on just that one night, but to worship throughout the month of Ramadan in which blessings and rewards are increased greatly.

Read more at these links:

http://www.crescentlife.com/spirituality/laylat_al_qadr.htm

http://islamworld.net/docs/LAYLAT_UL_QADR.html

http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/36832

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544664&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar

What is the attitude of a Muslim during Ramadan?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “Whoever does not abandon false talk and evil deeds, Allah does not want him to leave his food and drink (i.e. fast).” (Al-Bukhari)

Reflect upon these wise words of the Prophet.

©2010 Path of Islam. All Rights Reserved.

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind

A blessed month is casting its shadow upon us
A night of this month is better than a thousand months
Bear with patience for the sake of Ar-Rahman
It’s a continuous training to strengthen our Imaan.

Glory be to Allah who sent Ramadan as a mercy to mankind
Its a purification of our soul, our heart, and our mind
With the most sincere devotion and love we fast
To be cleansed and free from sins of the past

Glorified is He, who choseth this holy month,
To test our sabr and fill our hearts with warmth
Of his Divine Light, His blessings shall glow,
The Seer of the unseen, all He does know

Ya Allah! For thee, let my breath be more pleasant than musk
Ya Allah! For thee, let me be thankful when day turns to dusk
My thoughts and heart are purified, my eyes truly see’
This blessed month, the month of spiritual rhapsody!

Ya Allah! For thee, my life I shall live!
Ya Allah! For thee, my soul I shall give!
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind,
Praise be to Allah, who sent Ramadan as a gift to mankind

©2010 Path of Islam. All Rights Reserved.

A bit late, but happy Ramadan! More than 35 countries started fasting on Monday, and a few others on Sunday and Tuesday.

Some simple questions have been answered below for non-Muslims.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a month in the Islamic Calender in which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, drinking no fluids and eating nothing.

Why do you fast?

Fasting weakens the temptations and desires, and so a Muslim can focus more on worship. It helps the Muslim strengthen his/her willpower. Also fasting reminds one of the hunger and thirst a poor person goes through and so a Muslim is encouraged to give more money and food to charity.

“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein…” [Quran al-Baqarah 2:185]

Isn’t fasting bad for you?

Fasting detoxifies the body as well as gives the liver a bit of a rest.

What about those who can’t fast?

The elderly, young, and seriously ill are exempt from having to fast.

Does Islam command fasting?

Yes.

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious) [Quran al-Baqarah 2:183]

Allah says in a hadith qudsi: “Fasting is for Me and I will reward for it. He gives up his desire and his food and drink for My sake.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7492; Muslim, 1151.

©2010 Path of Islam. All Rights Reserved.