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Muslims
believe that the gates of Heaven (Jannah) are open and the gates of
Hell (Jahanam) are locked for the duration of Ramadhan. The day Ramadhan
begins is decided by the sighting of the new moon and can sometimes
differ slightly in various parts of the world.
Fasting
(Siyaam)
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| Muslim
man |
During
Ramadhan, Muslims are expected to fast from sunrise to sunset. If
Ramadhan falls in the summer, the fast is quite long and if it falls
in winter, the fast is relatively short. Muslims must not eat or
drink during daylight hours. They must refrain from bad deeds and
do good works.
Muslims
wake before dawn (Fajr) and have a light meal. This time is known
as Suhoor. They then abstain from food, drink and other indulgences
during daylight hours until dusk (Maghrib) when they have what could
be called the 'break-fast' meal. This mealtime is known as Iftar.
Families tend to have these meals together as it brings them together
at a very spiritual time.
Abstinence
For
around 30 days, Muslims are expected to fast during the day. They
must also abstain from sexual activity during the fast. This withdrawal
from luxuries should strengthen a Muslims faith (imaan).
It
gives Muslims an opportunity to focus on faith in their life and
learn from their sacrifice. Muslims who usually indulge in unlawful
(haraam) activities, such as smoking, drug abuse and drinking alcohol,
are also expected to give up their bad habits for Ramadhan and then
permanently.
Reflection
& Resolution
The
days of Ramadhan are a time of reflection. Muslims think about their
attitude towards life and faith and their good and bad deeds. As
well as temporarily giving up food, drink and other indulgences,
Muslims must also begin to permanently give up smaller sins such
as swearing, gossiping racism, violence and other ills not approved
of in Islam.
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| Muslim
boy at Central Jamia Mosque |
During
Ramadhan, they should put more effort into building bridges, making
amends, treating others well and acknowledging basic family values
such as respecting one's parents and siblings.
It
is a time when they can set themselves new goals about how their
life should be and renew themselves and their outlook, a time when
they can start afresh. Ramadhan is also a time when Muslims must
pray more, do good deeds and remember those who are less fortunate
and in need.
Prayer
(Salah)
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| Central
Mosque, Birmingham |
Muslims
are generally expected to pray five times a day all the time. In
Ramadhan, they must try to pray more than usual and ask of Allah,
for Ramadhan is a time when more prayers are answered and sins are
forgiven.
Those
who do not usually pray should use Ramadhan as a good time to start
and stick with the practise. Of course, the understanding and passion
for prayer and worship should come from the heart and never be forced
upon anyone. The five daily prayers are:
·
Fajr (just before dawn)
· Dhuhr (afternoon)
· Asr (late afternoon)
· Maghrib (at sunset)
· Isha (at night)
In
Ramadhan, Suhoor takes place just before Fajr and Iftar takes place
when Maghrib time begins.
There
are also special Ramadhan prayers known as Tarawih prayers, although
they are not fard (compulsory). They are a sunnah (example) of the
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and are highly recommended. These prayers
are performed in the mosques in congregation. Most Muslims pray
eight rak'ah (cycles) of this prayer with some praying twenty.
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| Muslims
in the prayer hall of Central Jamia Mosque |
During
the last ten days of Ramadhan, reward for prayer and good actions
increases and the 'Night of Power' (Laylatul Qadr) occurs on either
the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or the 29th of Ramadhan.
It
is not known when this night is so Muslims are expected to increase
prayer effort on these days. 'Laylatul Qadr' is said to be a night
better than a thousand months. Muslims must pray during Ramadhan
for their fasts to be accepted by God (Allah).
Food
When
Muslims wake before dawn for the Suhoor meal, they are expected
to eat something light. This can be anything depending on various
cultural diets.
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| Dates
eaten at Iftar |
Later,
during Iftar at sunset, they are expected to have a simple meal,
not over-indulge, as is sometimes the case. It is quite acceptable
to eat a lot if a Muslim has been invited to an Iftar meal or is
hosting one.
A number
of Muslims break the fast at mosques, where food is usually laid
out for all. The fast is most commonly ended with the eating of
dates and/or the drinking of water. Dates, water, milk and honey
are foods recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Eid
al-Fitr
Ramadhan
concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The day of Eid is
decided upon the sighting of the full moon by observatories around
the world. Eid is a time of celebration, good will and unity amongst
Muslims. It is also a time to practice what has been learnt during
Ramadhan.
Those
who use Eid day as an excuse to 'break-free' from Ramadhan and as
an opportunity to begin sinning and misbehaving again have failed
to understand the concept and purpose of Ramadhan.
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| Central
Jamia Mosque |
On
Eid day, Eid prayers are conducted in mosques all over the world.
In many mosques the Eid prayer and sermon has to be repeated a number
of times by different imams to cater for the large number of Muslims
attending.
The
Eid prayer is usually in the morning and there is no change to normal
prayers. If Eid day falls on a Friday and Eid prayers are performed,
praying the Friday prayer (Jummah) is then optional.
The
rest of Eid day is spent visiting relatives, having special meals,
exchanging gifts and remembering Allah. How Muslims celebrate and
what kinds of foods they eat depends on their cultural practices.
Islam
gives Muslims a code of conduct to follow in life but does not have
a culture of its own. All cultures and traditions are welcome, as
long as they conform to Islamic belief.
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