Ramadan

Author EDI Team | Posted on

Written by Husna Mukunzi

Ramadan is a month of worship and generosity.  It is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It’s a month in which you can break bad habits and strengthen your iman (faith) in order to build a stronger relationship with Allah (God) the Almighty. It is the month where the holy book was revealed (Qur’an). Good deeds are multiplied and bad deeds too.

The picture displays eight facts about Ramadan under related imagery/icons. The facts read as follows: Fact 1. 9th Month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar, Fact 2. Angel Gabriel commences the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in this month, Fact 3. Healthy/mature Muslims fast between Dawn and Sunset, Fact 4: Fasting includes abstaining from food, water and desires, Fact 5. To express well-wishes, you can say “Ramadan Mubarak” (Happy Ramadan), Fact 6. It is a month to improve your relationship with God, family, and your community, Fact 7. Ramadan moves 10-12 days forward every year due to the lunar calendar, Fact 8. When Ramadan finishes, Eid-ul-fitr is celebrated (festival of breaking fast)

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a month where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for 29/30 days. This allows Muslims to devote themselves to Allah in order to build and develop their relationship with Him. They can do this by fasting, reading the Qur’an (holy book), reading salah (praying), showing generosity, calling upon Allah (Dua) and giving Sadaqat (charity). Ramadan is also a month of charity and spirituality. Ramadan helps Muslims empathise with the less fortunate and to give to charity for the sake of Allah. Ramadan is also about learning discipline and self – control as you abstain from drinking, eating and sinful acts.

The first picture depicts the sharing of food. The second picture has three images within all depicting community, family and charity.

What happens after Ramadan?

Eid ul-Fitr (festival of the breaking of the fast) is the celebration after Ramadan. it lasts three days (three days of shawwal). Eid is celebrated with family and friends. It is a chance for communities to celebrate together. Many gifts are given during Eid as part of the celebration. Mosques hold a communal Eid salah (prayer) and Muslims wear their best clothes.

Eid is a reminder for Muslims of what Allah has given them and to be grateful. It reminds Muslims to give to the less fortunate all year round.

Picture one displays Communal Eid salah (prayer) outside a Mosque. Picture two displays Eid ul-Fitr (festival of the breaking of the fast) with people gathered around a table of food.

Why is Ramadan special to me?

Ramadan is special to me as it allows me to build and strengthen my relationship with Allah. It reminds me to be grateful and to remember Allah. It reminds me to constantly give to others that are less fortunate. It reminds me the importance of family and friends.  Ramadan helps me break bad habits and learn more about my religion. Ramadan teaches me patience, humility, and empathy. During and after Ramadan I feel as if I have accomplished many things such as self- discipline and self-control. I further, feel as if I have found peace within myself and I have learned something new each year. Ramadan is special to me as I can work on my spirituality and myself as a person to become a better version of myself.

Picture one is a picture of the Quran. Picture 2 emulates a previous picture but focuses on charity; the picture displays charitable work with the homeless.

More about Ramadan

What is Ramadan? | Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research

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