The holy month of ‘Ramzan’ begins today in India

Sep 14: Ramzan also called as Ramadan in Arabic begins today in India and Pakistan with the displaying of moon in the month of Ramadan, while in the other countries it has already begun. In Arabia, Ramadan began on Thursday while in Libya and Nigeria it began on Wednesday.

The whole month of Ramadan is the fest of Fasting and spiritual devoting to the god. It is a special month for the Muslims. It considered the most respected, sacred and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year. It is the ninth month of the lunar (Hijri) calendar that is calculated on Moon’s physical slightness and astronomical calculations. The first verses of holy Quran were revealed in this month.

Muslim celebrates this month by having fast, performing 20-cycle supererogatory prayer called terawih besides regular Prayer (Namaz) and utilizing 5 most powerful spiritual night in the searching of “Night of Power”, Shab-e-qadr (in Persian) that might be anyone night from 21 st, 23 rd, 25 th ,27 th and 29 th night of Ramzan. It is said that the spiritual profit of this night is 70,000 fold powerful that regular religious night. Shab-e-qadr is called Lailat ul-Qadr in Arabic.

The term ‘Ramadan’ is taken from the name of this month; the word itself derived from an Arabic word for intense heat, scorched ground, and shortness of rations. Ramadan is divided into three parts of ten-day section each. The first ten days is known as ashra (Arabic for ten). They are named on Rahmat (mercy of God), the second days are Maghfirat (forgiveness of God) and the last ten days are Najat (salvation). Ramadan ends with the holiday Eid ul-Fitr (end of fast), on which feasts are held. After Eid-ul-Fitr, there are further six days of fast known as Shawaal. It is expected to the Muslims to follow Shawaal as month of Ramadan.

The Criteria

Ramadan is the forth pillar of islam (Kalama, Namaz, Haj, Roza and Zakat). The fest of Ramadan begins with the displaying of Moon and at a very first day, the Terawih(20-cycle supererogatory) prayer begins. It happens in the night with the last prayer (Salat Al-Isha) of the day. The first fasting begins from the next day. Before having the fast, the devotees have to take a pre-dawn meal (suhoor). Then they have to perform the first prayer (namaz) of the day (Salat-Al-Fazir). The devotees have to perform works and prayers in the whole day. At the time of Magrib (end of the day) the fast breaks by taking light breakfast it is known as Iftar. In the night, Muslims have to perform Terawih.

The precaution

The Muslims have to follow some rules strictly. During Ramadan, Muslims have to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. They have to avoid anger, envy, greediness, lust, sarcastic retorts, backbiting, gossip, obscene and irreligious sights and sounds and falseness. Sexual intercourse during fasting hours is also prohibited in the married couple while in the night it may goes. Purity of both thought and action is important.

Some Duties

Sadaqa: Charitable giving, or the money given in charity. It is a particular type of charity that is given to the poor in the exchange of all living member in the family even the 1 minute before born child. This sadaqa have to pay before the prayer of Eid-ul-fitr. It can be in the form of currency and food grains.

Zakat: Zakat is one of the five “pillars” of Islam. Muslims who have wealth remaining over the year must pay at least one 40th of it to those in need. While it can be paid anytime during the year, many people prefer to pay it during the month of Ramadan.