Ramadan, the holy month for the Muslim community, commences on Tuesday, June 7, on the sighting of the moon. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar that comes after Shabaan. The holy book Quran was revealed to the human in this blessed month.

Muslims around the world observe this month by abstaining from food from dawn to dusk and break their fast on the call of adhaan (call for prayer) at sunset.

There is more to Ramadan than just abstinence from food and water. Fasting is obligatory to every adult (11 years and above or after attaining puberty) exempting sick, travellers, mentally challenged, pregnant, and menstruating women.

The idea behind fasting is to control oneself from activities that give one worldly pleasures such as food, water, entertainment and sexual intercourse during daybreak. Fasting gives an individual the essence of piety, their submission to the will of Allah and a path to purify their heart and soul.

During the day, a fasting adult is advised to invest more time in praying, reading Quran and spend a majority of their time remembering Allah. The Quran was revealed in this month to guide humans to the path of righteousness and give a dimension to one’s spiritual needs.

Ramadan is divided into three Ashuras (parts of 10 days each): Rahmat (mercy of Allah), Maghfirat (forgiveness of Allah) and Nijaat (salvation). Each of the Ashura has separate duas (prayers) that Muslims should recite with full devotion and serenity. It is also mentioned in the hadith by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that reward for all the good deeds done in this month are multiplied 70 times.
Different aspects of Ramadan

Sehri (meal before dawn): It is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to take a light meal before dawn or before starting the fast. The pre-dawn meal is highly recommended so that individuals fasting do not get exhausted of hunger and thirst at the end of fasting. At Sehri, it is advised to have at least a date with water and if available, a nominal meal.

Iftar (breaking the fast at dusk): At the call of adhaan, people break their fast by having a date, fruits, and other foods. Different cultures around the world bring varied kinds of food on the table, as there is no such restriction on food items except it to be halal.

It is also advised to share Iftar with individuals and families invite non-Muslims to be a part of the Iftar meal as a gesture of good faith and brotherhood. Almost all the mosques across the globe make Iftar arrangements at their premises to serve to the people fasting and travellers.

Taraweeh (special evening prayers): In Islam, a believer has to observe obligatory prayers five times and a special congressional prayer on Fridays. During Ramadan, a special prayer is held post evening prayers (Isha prayer) called Taraweeh in which long portions of the Quran is recited.

Taraweeh is held in every mosque throughout the month until the moon is sighted for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Lailatul Qadr (the night of decree): The odd nights of the last Ashura called Lailatul Qadr is considered to be the holiest of the whole month. It is believed that the Holy Quran was unveiled to Prophet Muhammad in one of the five odd nights. Believers pray all night long on those nights asking for forgiveness for their sins as the night is considered to be better than a thousand nights (83 years and four months).

Fasting brings humility and tranquillity among individuals. It gives them the opportunity to live the life of the lesser fortunate, people who are deprived of food and other luxuries of the world. Fasting drives an individual closer to his spiritual self and the creator, as it tests their patience for the basic need of life, food, and water.