Penance for Humanity || Celebrating Ramadan

Ramadan, also known as Ramzan, is the ninth month of Islamic Calendar. It is a holy month of fasting, prayer and introspection. It is believed that Quran was first revealed to prophet Mohammad in this month. Muslims are instructed to fast during Ramadan in the second chapter of Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah. Fasting is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.

The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad which means scorching heat or dryness. The prophet says, "Anyone who fasts during this month with purity of belief and with expectation of a good reward (from his Creator), will have his previous sins forgiven".

The Arabic word for fasting is called 'sawn' in the Quran. The word literally means 'to abstain'. Fasting is obligatory to every adult except those who are suffering from illness, travelling, are elderly, breastfeeding, pregnant or going through menstrual bleeding. During this month, people who fast abstain from eating or drinking anything from dawn to sunset. They are also supposed to refrain from bad activities, sinful behaviour, impure thoughts and engaging in sexual relations. Fasting includes recitation of the Quran and increased offering of prayers. Each day fasting is started with a pre-meal known as 'suhoor' before dawn and is ended with a meal known as 'iftar' after sunset. Iftar is usually celebrated with family and friends.

Laylat al-Qadr meaning "the night of power" or "the night of decree" in Arabic is considered the holiest night of the year, falls in the month of Ramadan. This is the night in which Muslims believe the first revelation of the Quran was sent down upon prophet Muhammad, stating that this night was "better than one thousand months [of proper worship]"(Chapter 97:3 of the Quran.)

Laylat al-Qadr falls on one of the five odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

Fasting helps Muslims to purify themselves and feel hunger as the poor do. It teaches them to sacrifice and refrain from material desires.

Along with fasting, Muslims are also urged to give charity to the needy ones. Zakat is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam, where a fixed percentage of a person's savings is to be given to the poor. Whereas Sadaqah is voluntary and can amount to anything a person wishes to give away in charity.

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the month Ramadan and the start of the next lunar month, Shawwal. It is a three day festival. Eid ul-Fitr means 'the feast of the breaking'.