Islam Concepts

Everyone is saying that Ramadan is coming, Ramadan is coming,  but for those who don’t actually know what is Ramadan and how to describe it in a better way. I like to tell them, what is this all about.

Ramadan Definitions:

Actually the word “Ramadan” derived from the Arabic root word “Ramada” denoting intense scorching heat and dryness.
Here are some of the definitions from various resources, and what they say about Ramadan specifically…

• http://thepeninsulaqatar.com says: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.
• http://about.com says: Each year, Muslims spend the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community-wide fast. The annual fast of Ramadan considered one of the five “pillars” of Islam. Muslims who are physically able are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Quran.
• http://wikipedia.org says: Ramadan or Ramazan (Arabic: sowm) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
• http://www.religioustolerance.org says: A Muslim period of daytime fasting and contemplation which lasts for a lunar month of about 28 days. It commemorates the transmission of the Qur’an by the archangel Gabriel to Muhammad.
• http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu says: Ramadan ((Islam) a fast (held from sunrise to sunset) carried out during the Islamic month of Ramadan).

As you know till now that Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. (Just like Jews, Islamic month is also of 29-30 days). It is the holiest in all. Muslims spend almost 12-17 hours in fast each day and abstain from smoking, sexual activities, drinking, fighting, abuse language etc. As fasting is not meant only with your stomach, it is also for your hands, minds, eyes, tongue, feet infect for your every part of body. Commonly said: fasting is a fight between your body and soul. The basic purpose is only to purify your body and your soul as well.

What Prophet Muhammad said about month of Ramadan:

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad and verses was thankfully quoted at SoundVision.com So I’m just referring them for you here.

Prophet Muhammad said, “When Ramadan arrives the gates of heaven are thrown open and the gates of the fire (hell) are slammed shut, and the devils are shackled.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim Shareef.

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever praise during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).

What Holy Quran said about month of Ramadan:

Allah Almighty said: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)”.

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)

“The month of Ramadan in which Holy Quran revealed, a guidance for humanity and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you grateful to Him” (2: 185).

“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)

Conclusion:

Subhan-Allah! as you clearly understands that it’s a gifted month and loot sale of good deeds. So try to collect as many good deeds as possible and try to make yourself clean from all kind of sins. May Allah guide us a right direction and forgive our sins. Please pray for all the humanity in this world, hopefully with grace of this month, Allah Almighty give us the best as they think for us.