Ramadan 2018: Muslims Prepare to Start of Dawn-to-Dusk Fasting – KEY Facts and Rules to Know About the Holy Month
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, UAE, Bahrain and many other Muslim nations are waiting for Ramadan that will start on Thursday, May 17. Check out key facts about the holiday on Nexter.org.
Source: Chronicle Live
What’s Ramadan?
Ramadan starts on the evening of 16 May this year and lasts until the evening of Thursday 14 or Friday 15 June. 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.
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. Fasting for Muslims is, first of all, the opportunity to determine for themselves the true values of life.
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.
Source: The Sun
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.
Check out how to eat well during Ramadan.
What’s Eid al-Fitr?
The month of Ramadan comes to an end and the second most important Muslim holiday is Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan Bayram), which starts with sunset on the last day of Ramadan and continues on the 1st and 2nd of the next month Shawwal.
After the completion of the collective prayer in the mosque on the first day of the month Shavval, Muslims go to a festive meal, during which it is customary to treat not only relatives and friends but also neighbors. Also, on holidays it is common to visit the graves of relatives.
Sins to avoid
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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