Holy Month for Muslims Has Started – What You Need to Know About Ramadan 2019
Ramadan is the most important month of the year in the Muslim calendar and it starts on Sunday, May 5. For the next 30 days, Muslims around the world will abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours.
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What’s Ramadan?
The word ‘Ramadan’ means ‘scorching’ in Arabic. It was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE (Laylat al-Qadr – the Night of Power).
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. This month is the most important and honorable for Muslims. During the whole month, a strict fast is followed, which implies a rejection of water, food and intimate relationships during the daytime.
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Dos and don’ts during the Ramadan
Refusal to eat from the time the beginning of the day to the full sunset is not everything about fasting. The meaning of abstinence and fasting is generally strengthening of faith, spiritual growth, rethinking of one’s way of life, priorities.
In the majority of Muslim countries, the companies are required by law to reduce the working hours, and almost all restaurants are closed during daylight hours.
Fasting is obligatory for all sexually mature Muslims (when they reach puberty, between the ages of 12 and 14, but some families start their children fasting at the age of 10) and is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is especially noted that those who do not have the opportunity to follow it are released from the duty: elderly people or Muslims with chronic diseases.
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The Muslim must feed the poor or help the needy in the amount not less than the amount that he spends on food each a day. Also, those who are on a trip or under other difficult circumstances are released from the fast. In this case, the Muslim should follow fast during the following month.
Muslims are commanded to renounce all sins and vices. During Ramadan, these commandments are especially emphasized, and Muslims become more conscious. It is believed that the committing of the following sins is strictly forbidden:
- Lie
- Slander
- Cursing
- False oath
- Greed
These sins are considered bad at any time, but they are most disgusting during the Ramadan fasting.
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Do you say ‘Happy Ramadan?’
Yes, a non-Muslim may wish someone a “Happy Ramadan.” But Muslims typically don’t say that to each other. The Arabic greeting is “Ramadan Mubarak,” which means “Happy Ramadan,” or “Have a blessed Ramadan.” Another is “Ramadan Kareem,” which means “Have a generous Ramadan.”
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