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Friday, August 21, 2009

GREAT RAMADAN......


Ramadan is one of the holy months in the Islamic calendar. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. The name came from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought to figuratively burn away all sins. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the earth during this month. Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed[citation needed]. The first day of the next month is spent in celebrations and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or `Eid ul-Fitr.


Muslims follow Islam (submission to God) and Muslim Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar, the month of fasting during the daylight. During Ramadan Muslims boycott themselves from Drinks, food, smoke and sexual contact during the daytime.Muslims believe that during
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Ramadan they must devote themselves to Allah by praying and visiting mosque. Ramadan is the month to read the entire holy book (Quran) by Muslims. It is also believed by Muslims that during Ramadan the gates of Heaven (jannah) are open and the gates of hell (Jahanam) are closed. Therefore so many believe are associated with Ramadan among the Muslims that makes Ramadan one of the important festivals for Muslims. Apart from the above, the importance of Ramadan lies in the fact, which all the Muslims believe that, it is believed to be the month during which The Holy Quran was revealed by god to prophet Muhammad (570-632 C.E.). Muslim Ramadan is also important because according to the five pillars of the Islam, pillars refer to the duties which any Muslim should follow, it is the duty of all the Muslims to fast for the entire month of Ramadan. The five pillars of Islam are as follows:
1.Reciting the two-fold Creed (Shahada) (profession of faith) - 'There is no God but Allah' and 'Muhammad is his prophet' (or 'Muhammad is the Messenger of God') 2. Prayer (salat) - At five set-times a day while facing towards the city of Mecca. 3. Alms-giving (sakat) (zakat - means 'purification', an act of worship) -obligatory and voluntary giving to the poor. 4. Fasting (saum) - Especially during the 'holy' month of Ramadan. 5. Pilgrimage (hajj) - At least once in a lifetime - to Mecca, Saudi Arabia if at all possible, known as The Hajj. And one most important:


The pilgrims who came to Mecca should walk around Ka'aba seven times kissing and touching the Black Stone The Black Stone was a meteorite to which great religious significance was attached even before Muhammad was born. Muhammad simply adopted this pagan practice and it became the "Islamic" pilgrimage of "Hajj" - one of the pillars of Islam. Hence as a follower of Islam all the Muslims are suppose to fast for the month of Ramadan. Some Muslims can be exempted from the Ramadan fasting like:
Children below twelve years.
Muslims who are physically and mentally challenged.
Senior Muslim citizen.
Muslims who travel for long distances.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Women who are menstruating.