What the heck is Ramadan?

Question

What the heck is Ramadan?

Answer 1

1st of all thnx for using such sweet and charming words....second



Ramadan is the name of the ninth month in the Hijri (Islamic) calendar. The religious observances of Ramadan occur throughout the entire Islamic calendar month. The calendar month Ramadan, 2006 (1427 AH) starts on September 24, 2006 and ends on October 23, 2006.



Fasting



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.



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 deep 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. 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.

Laylat al-Qadr

Main article: Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr is the anniversary of important dates in Islam that occurred in the month of Ramadan..





Tarawih



During this month, extra optional prayers of eight to twenty raka'ah, 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 .





Eid ul-Fitr



The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the beginning of the following month.

Answer 2

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2006 Ramadan will begin on Sept. 24.



For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. This year Ramadan precedes Christmas and Hanukkah. But while in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized, Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).

Answer 3

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic year. It's a month where muslims fast for about 30 days. We eat before sunrise in the morning, and can't eat or drink until after sunset. It's a very holy month for us. It's a month which helps us reflect and be thankful for all we have, and helps us realize how lucky we are to have food to eat everyday, as there are many out there who have no food to eat. After we've broken our fast, there are also special prayers which take place with our 5th prayer of the day. It's a good idea to do as many good deeds as possible during Ramadhan. We also should pay charity during this month and help out those who are less fortunate. After Ramadan is over, we celebrate Eid, which is sort of like Christmas for Christians. We meet with our families and friends during the day, exchange gifts, and dress up in nice clothes. Not to say that we forget all about the month, but it's sort of a celebration. Hope this helps.=)

Answer 4

Ramadan is when we Muslims fast for 30 days from sunrise to sunset each day. We celebrate Ramadan to have patience and feel with the poor. After Ramadan, we celebrate Eid'l Fitr. Eid'l Fitr is always celebrated right after the month of ramadan. This year, Ramadan starts on September 24 and ends on October 24.

Answer 5

Ramadan is a Month in Islam....ofcourse its once a year...the islamic calendar goes by the moon so ramdan beginas on a waxing crescent after the month of Shaaban ....in Ramadan muslims fast and dont eat from when the prayer calls at dawn till the other prayer cqalling at dsk...then they eat



Muslims fast and dont eat for long hours to feel with the poor and those who cant buyt food.... in my region the prayer calling o dawn is around 5 am and the dusk prayer calling is around 7 pm....so they dont eat for 14 hours



after ramadan muslim have EID .....its when they break the fast

and get on to their normal lives....many muslims dedicate their time for prayers and religous stuff in ramadan...... but then they atop...lol....never mind that what ramadan is ..i guess its like a peaceful month....well in the middle east all the streets are emtpy at dusk for the first week or 2 coz peopel dont get back to work after dusk coz they pray and stuff but then they manage their time....... i hope this is enough for u to know what ramadan is

Answer 6

One of the five pillars of Islam in which muslims must fast for a designated period of time typically a month long. Fasting consists of not consuming any food/drink from sunrise-sunset also during ramadan you are supposed to refrain from illicit behaivors of all kind it is a period of mental/physical clensing.

Answer 7

Ramadan is a month when muslims all over the world fast, meaning from sun rise to sun set. we wake up in the morning around 5:30am eat and get full then we dont eat all day until the sun sets. its a very holy month for us

Answer 8

is the month before muslim ppl celebrating new year "Hari Raya" & they will be fasting the whole day for one month.

they wake up early morning to eat full & can only eat or drink again in the evening time.

during day time they are not allowed to eat or drink even a slip of water.

Answer 9

1. the ninth month of the Islamic calander.

2. the daily fast that is enjoined from dawn until sunset during this month.

Answer 10

Ramadan is the month that muslims fast in.

Answer 11

its a holy month for muslims all over the world during that month muslims dont eat till sunset.

Answer 12

This is a month when all Muslims fasting.

Answer 13

It is a period in which muslims can't eat and drink when there is sun, but only when it is night. And then they go to la mecca for parying. i'm not muslim, so I think one of them could explain it better.

Answer 14

if you wanted to ask a question then ask it in a nice way!

Answer 15

Its a time to reflect back about how hard food is to come by in Somalia

Answer 16

who the heck are you to ask this question

Answer 17

Somebody who stays in a "Ramada Inn"

Answer 18

who gives.

Answer 19

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_12.html#HEADING11





hope this answers your question! :o)'

Answer 20

muslim equivalent of hannukah

Answer 21

English "rub-my-dong" they all go to the mosque and please each other.