Ramadan
Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, believed to be the month in which the Qur'an was revealed to Angel Gabriel, who later revealed it to the Prophet Muhammad. It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer even more prayer than usual. In Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refrain from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.
Fasting
The most prominent event of this month is the fasting (sawm) practiced by observant Muslims. Every day during the month of Ramadan Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, and perform the fajr prayer. They do not eat or drink anything after this prayer is said, until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib (sunset), is due. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set, until the next morning's fajr prayer.
During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual thoughts and activities during fasting hours are also forbidden.[Qur'an 2:187] Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God Almighty. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate. It is also intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable.
Those with severe health problems related to eating are exempt from fasting. One reason for this could be that lack of food and liquid in these situations could be detrimental to ones health. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood,(which ends at puberty), many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life.
Many observant Muslims anticipate which part of the sidereal year (as opposed to the Islamic Calendar) Ramadan will fall on. A summer Ramadan requires much longer fasting and shorter overnight periods of recovery than a winter one.
Paradoxically studies have shown that some populations actually gain weight during Ramadan. In their research Frost and Price(2) showed it was due to compensatory increased calorie intake overnight.
The most prominent event of this month is the fasting (sawm) practiced by observant Muslims. Every day during the month of Ramadan Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, and perform the fajr prayer. They do not eat or drink anything after this prayer is said, until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib (sunset), is due. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set, until the next morning's fajr prayer.
During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual thoughts and activities during fasting hours are also forbidden.[Qur'an 2:187] Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God Almighty. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate. It is also intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable.
Those with severe health problems related to eating are exempt from fasting. One reason for this could be that lack of food and liquid in these situations could be detrimental to ones health. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood,(which ends at puberty), many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life.
Many observant Muslims anticipate which part of the sidereal year (as opposed to the Islamic Calendar) Ramadan will fall on. A summer Ramadan requires much longer fasting and shorter overnight periods of recovery than a winter one.
Paradoxically studies have shown that some populations actually gain weight during Ramadan. In their research Frost and Price(2) showed it was due to compensatory increased calorie intake overnight.
From:-(Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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