Discovering Ramadan Celebrations
Introduction
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Because Islam observes a lunar calendar, the official beginning occurs at different times around the globe, based on when the crescent moon is first seen. There are more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide celebrating Ramadan.
How to celebrate Ramadan
Ramadan is a month of heightened devotion, a time that the doors of heaven are kept open, and the doors of hell are closed, and Satan is kept in chains. Muslims go through a period of intense reflection and devotion, seeking guidance and forgiveness.
The predominant practice in Ramadan is fasting from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the suhoor, while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is the iftar. Considering the high diversity of the global Muslim population, it is impossible to describe typical suhoor or iftar meals. (Wikipedia)
As advised on WikiHow website, ramadan should be celebrated in 6 main practices:
- Go to the mosque: Even though it might be far away, you should go anyway. You might make some friends.
- Pray: It helps you gain virtue. It’s also beneficial when Allah answers prayers that come honestly from your heart. Remember that an open heart leads to an open mind, especially if Allah is remembered in your heart and mind.
- Refrain from doing bad deeds: All your hard work will go to waste by keeping the bad behavior persistent.
- Give zakaat: Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakāt, often translated as “the poor-rate,” is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam. Remember that once you give charity, you can’t take it back.
Who is exempt from fasting?
Those who are not required to fast during Ramadan are non-Muslims, young children, the sick or those with mental illnesses, travellers, the elderly and women who are menstruating, pregnant, breast-feeding or have recently had a baby.
When Ramadan Ends
Every Ramadan culminates with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month. Literally the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims give Zakat al Fitr, a monetary contribution to the poor or their mosques.
Featured Video: Muslims break fast worldwide after Ramadan as Eid al-Fitr festival
