Ramadan: A Holy Month for Muslims

All Muslims throughout the world eagerly wait for the holy month of Ramadan. This is because they are aware that the blessings and rewards from God are enhanced manifold during this month. They make preparations many days before and observe this special time with great enthusiasm and significance. Ramadan brings a chance to gain nearness to God through regular worship, recitation of the Qur’an and being obedient to Him throughout the month.. Fasting was prescribed to adherents of other faiths which came before Islam. Regarding this the Qur’an states, “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous” (2:184).

Ramadan is a month of spiritual refinement and purification. Although a believer has to follow certain guidelines as they observe the fast, they remain content and satisfied during the whole month. They fast during the day irrespective of hot or cold weather and length of the time and bow down towards God in extra Prayers during most part of the night. They recite Qur’an day and night and complete its recitation in entirety many times as their daily routine allows them.They sleep for a little time and then wake up early to have a light breakfast before dawn. They keep busy in their usual worldly affairs and businesses refraining from food and drinks and bad talks from dawn till sunset. During Ramadan, they take more care of their moral characters, the schedule of the five daily Prayers. being nice to others and refrain from falsehood.

It is mandatory in Ramadan that every Muslim should donate a fixed percentage of their savings to the less privileged people in the form of Zakat (another Islamic pillar) and Fitrana (charity) so that they can also celebrate end of Ramadan with pleasure. All this creates love and brotherhood among the members of the society. The month of Ramadan brings a total change in the behavior of the Muslims, such as being courteous towards others. This practice of self-restraint during the whole month definitely brings some changes in one’s moral character. It adds endurance and patience to their personality. As Ramadan ends those who have been practicing self-control are able to continue with their improved behavior and outlook for the rest of the year. God in return rewards them by bestowing His blessings upon the obedient.. Another reward of Ramadan is a special night during the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month. God has promised it to be the most blessed night of the whole year. He says in the Qur’an that the worship offered during this night is better than the worship of a thousand nights.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the happy occasion. This celebration is a reward from God Almighty for those who observed fasting and spent most of their time in His remembrance. Muslims start this day by thanking God in the form of a special Eid Prayer offered in congregation in the morning and spend the rest of the day with their family and friends. They embrace each other joyfully. They invite guests and serve them with delicious food. Young children get gifts from their elders.

Ramadan itself is a blessed month which purifies mankind spiritually and brings a cheerful holy occasion at the end to celebrate. All praises to God.