About Ramadan
The 9th month of the Islamic calendar is Ramadan, a time for Muslims to focus on purifying their soul through prayer and self sacrifice. During Ramadan, more than a billion Muslims around the world observe Ramadan, one of the 5 pillars of Islam. The month of Ramadan is also when the Holy Quran was sent down from heaven as guidance to humanity, a declaration of direction and a means of salvation.
Each day of Ramadan, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims aged 12 and older traditionally fast. It is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith, spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives to worship and contemplate Allah. During Ramadan, strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours, to smoke or have sexual relations. They also should refrain from telling lies, gossiping, making a false oath, and stay away from greediness and cupidity. These are considered offensive at all times any way. At the end of the day the fast is broken with the evening prayer and a meal called iftar.
During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid and spend several hours praying and reading or studying the Quran. In addition to the 5 daily prayers, Muslims recite during Ramadan a special prayer called Taraweeh (or night prayer).
On the eve of either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th day of the month, Muslims celebrate Laylat-ul-Qadr, (the night of the Power). We celebrate it on the eve of the 27st day. It is believed that on that night the Prophet Mohamed first received the revelation of the Holy Quran.
Ramadan ends on the first day of the month of Shawwal by a prayer at the Masjid after sunrise and everybody should give his zakat before going to prayer at the Masjid or at least before praying, to have the zakat validated (accepted by Allah).
