The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon, or the lunar cycle, it is roughly 10 days earlier than the Lunar calendar. Ramadan is starting on Wednesday, 22nd March 2023 based on the sighting of the moon in Pakistan and all Muslim countries around the world.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the holiest months for Muslims around the globe, according to the BBC. This month is dedicated to fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness from Allah Almighty. It is said to be the month in which Mohammad, whom Muslims believed to be a final Prophet, delivered to Muslims the Holy Book Quran.
The name “Ramadan” comes from the Arabic word “ramad,” which is an adjective that indicates anything burning dry, or intensely heated by the sun. This article will explore mind-blowing information about the glory of Ramadan Month.
Ramadan, “the Sultan of Eleven Months” blesses our homes, provides joy to our hearts, peace to our souls, and restores the lost family atmosphere. Ramadan is celebrated with full excitement and zeal. Ramadan is more than just a link between hunger and satisfaction; it encourages a sense of punctuality, care, and sharing.
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting, during which Muslims stop eating and drinking from dawn until sunset. Fasting during this holy month is one of the pillars of Islam. These Five Pillars include five prayers a day, confession of faith, charity, and completing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. According to Al Jazeera, Muslims were instructed to fast throughout Ramadan month more than 1,400 years ago.
The fast is designed to bring Muslims closer to God (Allah, in Arabic) by reminding them of the suffering of those who are less fortunate. Muslims avoid addictions such as smoking, coffee, and unnecessary gossips during this month. Ramadan is considered as a method to both physically and spiritually purification and exercising self-control.
Suhoor (Sehar)
Muslims observe a pre-fast meal known as suhoor every day before dawn. Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr, shortly before sunrise.
Iftar
Muslims break their fast with the iftar at sunset, usually beginning the meal with dates to honor Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)’s habit of breaking the fast with three dates. Muslims offered the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of five compulsory daily prayers, followed by the main meal.
At iftar, social gatherings, often in the form of buffets, are common in houses as well as in restaurants. People enjoy traditional foods and traditional sweets after dinner. People prefer water which is typically the preferred beverage; however, juices, milk, soft drinks, and caffeinated beverages are also included in the menus.
Nightly prayer
Tarawih (Arabic: تراويح) are additional evening prayers conducted throughout Ramadan. Tarawih is a voluntary (nafl) night prayer that is exclusively performed during the month of Ramadan. Masjids all around the world are doing congregational Tarawih prayers every night of this blessed month since it is a highly recommended Sunnah in Islamic tradition.
Recitation of the Holy Quran
Over the thirty days of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to read the whole Quran, which is divided into thirty juz’ (sections). Some Muslims integrate one juz’ recitation into each of the thirty tarawih sessions observed during the month.
Laylat al-Qadr
Muslims celebrate Laylat al-Qadr, or “the Night of Power/Destiny,” near the end of the month, on the day observers believe Allah sent the Angel Gabriel to Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to deliver the first verses of the Quran. People seek this blessed night during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Muslims perform deep devotion in the prayers and ask for answers to the prayers and forgiveness for whatever sins they may have committed.
Ramadan is a month of spiritual meditation, personal growth, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims must do a greater effort to adhere to Islam’s principles.
Fasting is supposed to focus the heart away from worldly activities, to cleanse the soul by removing harmful impurities. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for the poor, thereby promoting acts of kindness and charity (zakat).
Fasting, according to Muslims, also generates compassion to help the poor and needy people. Ramadan brings tremendous opportunities for Muslims to ask forgiveness and gather blessings from Allah Almighty against the committed sins.
Benefits of fasting in Ramadan 2023
Ramadan provides several health benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity and lowers insulin resistance. It has been proven that fasting significantly improves blood lipids, blood pressure, weight, and obesity. Fasting minimizes the risks of heart attack, enhances cardiac health and it is empirically evidenced that Fasting is considered as one of the best ways to weight loss.
Ramadan 2023 Pakistan
The appearance of the moon is usually a joyful occasion in different parts of Pakistan. The moment the moon is visible, people say a dua and send their best wishes to friends and family members.
A variety of Ramadan broadcasts, including religious talks, question-and-answer sessions on religious teachings, the recitation of the Qur’an and the recital of the dua, as well as cooking shows, keep Pakistanis engage on their television screens.
Ramadan 2023 Lahore
In the month of Ramadan, many stalls are put up at the crossroads of Lahore city highways by local residents, providing free food and drinks for the duration of the month to homeless people, merchants, rickshaw and taxi drivers, laborers, beggars, and even individuals who do not observe Ramadan.
Ramadan 2023 USA
Ramadan is the fasting month for Muslims in the United States. Islam is the third most popular religion in the United States. According to a 2017 survey, 3.45 million Muslims live in the United States, accounting for roughly 1.1 percent of the overall U.S. population. The religious excitement of Muslim people living in the United States gets doubled during Ramadan.
Ramadan 2022 is bringing people together, Muslims in the United States are arranging a variety of Iftar feasts, gatherings, activities, and fundraisers. The Muslim community in the United States is working together to welcome Muslim families during Ramadan. Workshops will be given before the start of Ramadan to assist Muslims in preparing. Workshops are also given to assist the population in dealing with the extended daytime hours, which may last up to 18 hours without food or drink.
Ramadan 2023 Nigeria
Ramadan is the holiest month among the Muslims of Nigeria. Several Islamic occasions have their unique significance in Islam. However, the beginning of Ramadan is one of Islam’s holiest events for Nigerian Muslims. Every year, Muslims in Nigeria make particular preparations for Ramadan. Nigerian Muslims anxiously await the moon’s appearance to learn the exact day of Ramadan in Nigeria and organize their religious activities accordingly.
Ramadan 2023 India.
For Indian Muslims, Ramadan is one of the most important months of the year. States in India with the biggest Muslim populations, such as Gujrat, Lakshadweep, and Jammu, and Kashmir, celebrate the blessings of Ramadan with great devotion enthusiasm. Even though Muslims constitute a minority in India, the month of Ramadan is a time of joyous celebration and, more significantly, a time to reflect on the fundamental virtues of Islam.
