Ram·a·dan (răm'ə-dän', răm'ə-dän')
n.
The ninth month of the year in the Islamic calendar.
A fast, held from sunrise to sunset, that is carried out during this period.
[Arabic Ramaḍān, from ramaḍ, dryness, from ramiḍa, to be scorched.]
Holy Ramadan in Makkah
Spend the holy month of Ramadan in your own property in Makkah
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Encyclopedia
Ramadan (rämädän', răm'ədän') , in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which all Muslims must fast during the daylight hours. Indulgence of any sort is forbidden during the fast. There are only a few who are exempt, e.g., soldiers, the sick, and the young. Because of the purely lunar calendar, Ramadan falls in different seasons. The final day of Ramadan, Id al-Fitr, is celebrated by a day of feasting. The first revelation of the Qur'an is commemorated in this month.
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Ramadan
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Literature
Ramadan (ram-uh-dahn)
A holy month in Islam; the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Devout Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset during each day of Ramadan.
Islamic Dictionary
Ramadan
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar (the Hijra). It is a holy month of fasting, celebrating the time at which the Qur'an was first revealed. The month of Ramadhan begins after the sighting of the lunar crescent on the previous evening, so it may begin on different days in different parts of the world. During the Fast of Ramadan Muslims do not eat or drink during the daylight hours. No smoking or marital relations are allowed. The fast may be broken after sunset with prayer and a meal of dates called the "iftar." The fast is resumed the next morning after a pre-dawn breakfast known as a "suhur." Muslims universally greet each other with 'Eid mubarak "a blessed 'Eid" on 'Eid ul-Fitr. For more information about Ramadan, click here. The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root *rmd as in "ramida" or "ar-ramad" denoting intense scorching, heat, and dryness. Words from the same root include ramdaa "sunbaked sand" and the famous idiom: kal mustajeer minar ramadaa binnar "to jump out of the frying pan into the fire."
WordNet
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun Ramadan has one meaning:
Meaning #1: the ninth month of the Moslem calendar
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Wikipedia
Ramadan (religious observances)
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Sawm of Ramadan. (Discuss)
This article is about the Islamic religious observances in the month of Ramadan. For information about the ninth month of the Islamic calendar called Ramadan, see Ramadan (calendar month).
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The religious observances of Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان) occur throughout the entire Islamic calendar month.
Fasting during Ramadan
The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by all observant Muslims. The fasting during Ramadan has been so predominant in defining the month that some have been led to believe the name of this month, Ramadan, is the name of Islamic fasting, when in reality the Islamic term for fasting is sawm.
Prohibitions during the fast
Eating, drinking and sexual intercourse are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghrib). During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, angry and sarcastic retorts, and gossip. People are meant to try to get along with each other better than they normally might. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness 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.
Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast, though some do. However, if puberty is delayed, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age. According to the Qur'an, if fasting would be dangerous to someone's health, such as a person with an illness or medical condition (this can include the elderly), that person is excused. For example, diabetics and nursing or pregnant women usually are not expected to fast; they are encouraged to feed a needy person instead[1]. According to hadith, observing the Ramadan fast is not allowed for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is usually considered acceptable not to fast are those in battle and travelers who intend to spend fewer than five days away from home. If one's condition preventing fasting is only temporary, one is required to make up for the days missed after the month of Ramadan is over and before the next Ramadan arrives. If one's condition is permanent or present for an extended period of time, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.
If one who does not fit into one of the exempt categories breaks the fast out of forgetfulness, the fast is still valid. If, however, one intentionally breaks the fast, that individual must continue fasting for the remainder of the day but then make up for the entire day later. If one breaks the fast through consensual sexual intercourse, the trangressor must make up for the day by fasting for sixty consecutive days.
Breaking the fast
Many mosques will sponsor iftar (literally: break fast) meals after sundown for the community to come and end their day's fasting collectively. It is also common for such meals to take place at Muslim soup kitchens.
Ramadan has an entirely secular aspect based on breaking the fast. Many families will break the fast together, with abundant meals full of delicacies. Those who do not have to work may sleep during the day, rise and break the fast, then go out for a movie or shopping. Shops in Muslim countries stay open late during Ramadan.
Devout Muslims do not approve of this method of observing Ramadan. However, it is widespread.
Fasting in other religions
The Christian Lent and the Jewish Yom Kippur, Tisha B'av, Fast of Esther, Tzom Gedalia, and Fast of the Firstborn are also times of fasting. This relates to that which is mentioned in Quran 2:183, ".. Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you..", fasting is prescribed to Muslims as it was prescribed to those before them, e.g. Christian and Jewish, although the fasting practices of each religion might be different from one another. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) generally fast for 2 consecutive meals (some people use 24 hours as a guide) on the first Sunday of each month (Fast Sunday). Like Muslims, they refrain from all drinking and eating unless they are children or are physically unable to fast. Fasting is also a feature of ascetic traditions in religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
Other Practices
Tarawih
Main article: Tarawih
During this month, extra optional prayers of eight to twenty rakah, called tarawih, are prayed each night in the mosque by Sunni Muslims.
Shi'a Muslims do not pray this prayer. They call it an innovation in Islam [2].
Eid ul-Fitr
Main article: Eid ul-Fitr
The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر) marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the beginning of the following month.
See also
Asceticism
Islam
Lent
References
Rizvi, Sayyid Muhammad (1989). "True Dawn: al-Fajr as-Sadiq". Retrieved Oct. 30, 2005.
Yusof, Mimi Syed & Hafeez, Shahrul (Oct. 30, 2005). "When Raya was a bewildering experience". New Straits Times, p. 8.
External links
Prayer Times Around the World
Fasting Ramadan
Ramadan
An Idiot's Guide to Ramadhan
Fasting and feasting Ramazan in Turkey
Ramadan on the Net
"Holy month's retailers think it's Christmas", The Australian, Martin Chulov, 31 October 2005
Ramazan / Ramadan / Fasting / Eid-ul-Fitr
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Muslim holidays and observances
Muslim New Year | Festival of Muharram | Day of Ashurah | Imamat Day | Arba'een | Mawlid
Imam Musa al Kazim day | Lailat al Miraj | Shab-e-baraat | Ramadan | Laylat al-Qadr | Eid ul-Fitr | Eid ul-Adha
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
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Recipes
Ramadan
Appropriate for the Muslim holiday of Ramadan
Ma'amoul / Nut Cookies These cookies are traditionally made with a form. However, these are just as delicious and take less effort with similar taste. -- posted by Kim Malkawi
Hajar's Best Moroccan Chorba With cold weather and Ramadan approaching this soup along with Morocco's national soup Harira will be daily staples here. Morocco is known for wonderful soups IF you use the authentic home cook's recipes! -- posted by Hajar Maine Morocco
True Moroccan Lentil Soup This is one of my favorite lentil soups outside of one I had in Rome many years ago now. There are thousands of "Moroccan" Lentil Soup recipes out there; especially on the internet where everyone is a "Moroccan Cook" simply by using the spices used in Morocco. That is not what Moroccan cooking is about. Yes, it is the spicing but how much? How many? Which types? Just as anyone can add garlic and basil to a dish and call it Italian food, is it? I think, in fact, I know not. That it may have ingredients well known to and used in many regions of Italy does not make it authentic. I will settle for nothing less than real life authenticity when it comes to Moroccan food; or the food of any country/region. It is in the knowledge, technique, time and simplicity where one finds authenticity; not necessarily in Gourmet Magazine or from Aunt Rita who went to Morocco, or anywhere, once 45 years ago on a five day tour blitz. This one is simple and hearty. -- posted by Hajar Maine Morocco
My Halwa Shebakia -- Special Ramadan Sesame Cookies These are the longstanding traditional Ramadan sesame cookies. While available year round and eaten all year, these are especially important during the month of Ramadan. They give a high carbohydrate kick with breakfast at sunset. Mythis recipe originally makes 100 cookies as we have more guests than usual in this month and we give them as gifts, especially to our single male friends! These are available by the millions for sale on the streets, though homemade ones melt in your mouth. I have quartered he recipe before and for you. You can take it back to 100 or double this recipe. They are wonderful though 2 is my limit; they are so sweet. Due to the honey they keep virtually forever in the fridge and can be frozen in a single layer on a baking tray and then bagged. Thaw at room temperature. -- posted by Hajar Maine Morocco
Hajar's Lamby Friday Food Couscous We in Morocco eat a lot of couscous but never so much as the country does on Friday which is our sort of Sabbath. Never does Friday come without couscous. This is one of my husband's favorites though we have many "FAVORITES!!" There are many wonderful couscous preparation methods here on the site including one with photos as a step by step in the African Forum; by Sackville Girl. Simply serve this over your couscous in a communal platter and enjoy it! NB; It is 2 lamb shanks or 4 large necks. -- posted by Hajar Maine Morocco
Aloo Ki Tikiyan (Vegan) A relatively easy to make appetizer, perfect for a quick snack. Variation on a recipe found on a Pakistani website, and eaten during Ramadan. -- posted by Terry W
Grilled Vegetable Terrine I saw this being prepared on 'Canadian Living Cooks' and haven't made it yet. It looked so stunning and delicious on the show that I thought I would share it with everyone. I think its a wonderful lunch or buffet item. Enjoy! (Prep and cook times are approximate and do not include standing time) -- posted by Miraklegirl
Sweet Lamb for Ramadhan (El Ham Lahlou - Algeria) This dish is being posted for ZWT II & my source is Michael Tracey's "Afri Chef" cookbook. My 1st ZWT, I'm already having such a good time & I found yet another lamb recipe ... this 1 w/fruit! YEA! (Serving size & times were not included & have been estimated, but time doesn't include soaking time for prunes.) -- posted by twissis
Hajar's Own Harira -- the National Soup of Morocco There are as many recipes for harira as there are people who eat it though there are essentials. The beans and lentils, cilantro (fresh leaf), tomato and pasta of some sort. This is my own recipe based on ingredients and flavors which I enjoyed from other hariras. Harira is eaten all year, not only at Ramadan though it would not be Ramadan without it! This soup along with others is used traditionally for breakfast at sunset. This would be a first course served with accompaniments and bread before moving on to heavier foods. Many break fast with milk and dates; a very old tradition and I doubt that they knew way back when that the combination of natural sugar and the milk protein were a near perfect combination. Some find this a bit too rough for the first thing in the stomach. While harira is the national soup of Morocco, history tells that this is not a Moroccan invention but an invention of the Maghreb of which Morocco is a part. This recipe may look truly daunting though it really isn't. In our house the first course on the table is always either harira, chorba, or one of my stews; usually chicken, dates, pistachios and fruit. Then after that settles we move on to a normal main course without the use of garlic as it is forbidden during Ramadan. Before bed we will usually have a pot of tea and a rice pudding, dessert couscous or just the tea. Shebakia, the very honey sweet special Ramadan sesame cookies are always here though we prefer to have them with coffee and not necessarily daily. -- posted by Hajar Maine Morocco
My Family Manaeesh -- Arabic/Islamic Cheese Spread for Bread Many food writers credit this as being a food of Lebanon and it is made in Lebanon. However, the original idea is Arabic/Islamic and is found in the Hebrew world as well. This has been made for centuries with little change to the original idea and is used in all of the Arabic/Islamic world. No matter the history it is yummy and makes a perfect mezze! Use a ricotta or dry curd cottage cheese for best results. This is also a Ramadan food for much of the Middle East and Morocco and is best/traditionally baked into the top of breads. -- posted by Hajar Maine Mor