Ramadan is the ninth month according to the Islamic calendar and is the holy month for Muslims across the world. They observe Ramadan by praying, fasting, reflecting, and serving the community all month long. This pious month is also a time for friends, families, and neighbours to come together to pray, fast, feast, and ultimately celebrate Eid ul-Fitr at the end of the month. But do you know why Ramadan is observed?

What is the story behind Ramadan?

Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims as the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad on the 27th day of this month. It is believed that he was meditating near Mecca and was visited by the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) who showed him the Quran. Therefore, every year Muslims across the globe observe Ramadan for a whole month. And the month comes to an end with a 3-day festival, Eid ul-Fitr. It is one of the biggest celebrations in Islam and comes with extravagant feasts including dishes like biryani, nalli nihari, kebabs, shahi tukda, sheermal, and more delicacies. The dates vary every year depending upon the sighting of the crescent moon. This year, Eid ul-Fitr is expected to fall on either the 21st or 22nd of April depending on the sighting of the moon.

The month of Ramadan allows Muslims to practice spiritual discipline. This is a divine time to connect with god, do charity work, and study verses of the Quran. People also believe that this is the time when the gates of heaven are open and hell is closed.

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What practices does one follow during Ramadan?

During this time, Muslims are to abstain from eating and drinking during the day and break their fast after sunset. This fast is called Sawm and is one of the five pillars of Islam. Apart from fasting, they also pray and read the Holy Quran and offer Salah, the regular practice of praying five times a day. Salah is also one of the five pillars of Islam in addition to Shahada, faith in one god, Zakat, giving alms to charity, and Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Now since the people observing Ramadan are to fast all day, they wake up early morning and have a pre-dawn meal. This meal is called sehri or suhur and is to be eaten before the first Azaan of the day. After that, the fast begins and ends with a lavish feast called Iftar after sunset. Iftar is a community meal and is eaten with friends and family at home or in a community setting.

Apart from this, Muslims are also to refrain from smoking, drinking, or consuming any other harmful substances during this time. Married couples are also expected to refrain from engaging in any sexual activity during the daytime and stay away from any impure thoughts. Basically, Muslims have to stay away from any of the activities that can interfere with or invalidate their fast. But in case one misses a day or indulges in any such activity, one can fast later in the year or offer meals or help the poor and needy to make up for it.

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