Ramadan and its significance
Ramadan is one of the religious festivals of the Islamic community that is widely celebrated all over the world. Although this festival includes fasting and sacrifice, yet the Muslims celebrate this occasion with a lot of joy and enthusiasm. There are fireworks, lights, decorations and feasts (once the daily fast gets over) that make this festival a joyous celebration.
Importance of Ramadan in Islam
Ramadan includes fasting which is the third pillar of all the five pillars of Islam. This means that the fasting during Ramadan is one of the five most basic beliefs or acts that a Muslim is supposed to do. Fasting in Islam is considered to be a means of practicing self-control. It is also considered to be a way of experiencing what hunger is all about, sympathizing with the poor and the needy, and thanking god for everything you have received in life.
An important part of Ramadan festival is offering gifts in the form of Zakat which means giving away one�s wealth to charity. The Zakat is one of the essential pillars of Islam. The concept of Zakat is to purify one�s wealth by giving a part of it to people who aren�t blessed by god.
Importance of Ramadan to Muslims
Ramadan is the time for offering intense prayers to god. During this month, Muslims try to read the Quran, the holy scripture of Islam, as much as possible. They may also visit the mosque to listen to the recitation of the Quran.
The last 10 days of Ramadan are special because during this time, the Muslims indulge in intense prayers with the belief that they�ll get closer to god because of their good deeds, sacrifices, and devotion.
According to Quran, the 27th night of the month of Ramadan, known as the Lailat ul-Qadr or the Night of Power, is actually considered to be auspicious than any other night. So, the Muslims spend almost this entire night in prayers.
Some common beliefs of the Muslims regarding Ramadan are listed below.
The Muslims believe that fasting will enable them to feel for those who get very little to eat daily.
The Muslims feel that through Ramadan prayers, they�ll connect better with their inner selves, strengthen their faith and get closer to god who has created them.
They think that Ramadan teaches them how to appreciate god for every single happiness and achievement they�ve had in their lives.
The Muslims believe that self-control during Ramadan will teach them good manners and good speech.
They believe that charity during this festive occasion will actually make them more generous and develop a sense of goodwill in them.
The Muslims feel that family gatherings during Ramadan will help strengthen their bonding with their friends and family members.
Ramadan is the most precious month in the Islamic calendar (Hijri) and it is obligatory for the Muslims to fast in the month of Ramadan. Here are some interesting and quick points that shows the importance of Ramadan in Islam.
- Allah has made fasting this month the fourth Pillar of Islam
- Allah revealed the Quran in this month
- Allah has made Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree/Power) in this month, which is better than a thousand months
- Allah has made fasting Ramadan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins
- In this month, Allah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils
- Every night Allah has people whom He redeems from the Fire
- Fasting Ramadan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadan, so long as one avoids major sins
- Fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting ten months
- Whoever prays Qiyaam in Ramadan with the Imaam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer
- Umra�h in Ramadhaan is equivalent to Hajj
- It is Sunnah to observe I�tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadan
- It is Mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadan to study the Quran together and to read it to a great deal
- It is Mustahabb in Ramadan to offer Iftaar to those who are fasting
