THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN

By Maalim Salat

"A blessed month has arrived. Observing it in fasting is mandated on you (the believers). During this month, the gates of Paradise will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed. The evil ones (Shayaatin) will be handcuffed. In it there is one night, during which worship is better than worship in a thousand months. Whoever is denied its blessings has been denied the biggest blessing." Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h)
 
Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It begins after the crescent of the new moon is spotted, is one of the most sacred Islamic observances because it marks the month in which Allah revealed the Holy Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). it is the month in which Torah was revealed to Moses and Injil(the Gospel) was revealed to Jesus bringing with it all the glory. This is the month in which the doors of heavens are kept open, doors of hell are closed and Satan is kept in chains.

It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sex with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity.

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special night prayers, called Taraaweeh, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (Juz’, which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.

Muslims all around the world will abstain from food and drink, through fasting, from dawn to sunset. At sunset, they gather for the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar either at home or in the Mosques. The meal starts with the eating of three dates. Then it's time for the Maghrib prayer, after which the main meal is served.

During this month, Muslims seek Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) which falls in the last ten days. It is on this night that Prophet Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. Any prayer or deed on this night is better than prayers performed in a thousand months and all sins are forgiven.

The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempted from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempted are the travelers, pregnant women (if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby), women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. This group must make up the days they missed fasting at a later date.

The Chairman, The Executive Committee, The Editorial Board and Members of The 3rd Eye wish our Brothers and Sisters Ramadhan Kareem and Saum Maqbul.