Ramadan is the most sacred and blessed month for Muslims around the world. It is a time of fasting, prayer, charity, and spiritual growth.
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In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Ramadan and provide some useful tips and resources for observing it.
What is Ramadan and why is it important?
- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. It is the month in which the Quran, the holy book of Islam, was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over 1400 years ago.
- Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which are the basic acts of worship that every Muslim must perform. Fasting during Ramadan is an obligation for every adult Muslim who is physically and mentally able to do so.
- Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion, and self-discipline. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other worldly pleasures. They also perform extra prayers, recite the Quran, give charity, and seek forgiveness from Allah.
- Ramadan is also a time of celebration, gratitude, and community. Muslims break their fast at sunset with a meal called iftar, often shared with family and friends. They also enjoy special foods, decorations, and festivities throughout the month. They end Ramadan with a joyous festival called Eid al-Fitr, which means “the festival of breaking the fast”.
When is Ramadan 2024 and how long does it last?
- Ramadan 2024 is expected to begin on Monday, March 11, 2024, and end on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, depending on the sighting of the new moon. The exact dates may vary by a day or two in different countries and regions, depending on the local moon sighting.
- Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar cycle. Each day of fasting begins at dawn, which is the time of the first prayer of the day, called Fajr, and ends at sunset, which is the time of the fourth prayer of the day, called Maghrib.
- The duration of the fasting hours varies depending on the location and season. In some places, the fasting hours can be as short as 10 hours, while in others, they can be as long as 20 hours. Muslims are advised to check the local prayer times and sunrise and sunset times for their area to determine the exact fasting hours.
Who has to fast and who is exempt?
- Fasting during Ramadan is mandatory for every adult Muslim who is sane, healthy, and not traveling. This includes men and women, except for women who are menstruating, pregnant, breastfeeding, or postnatal.
- Those who are exempt from fasting are required to make up the missed days later, or pay a compensation called fidyah, which is feeding a poor person for each day missed.
- Children below the age of puberty are not obliged to fast, but they may be encouraged to practice partial fasting or fasting for a few hours to prepare them for adulthood.
- Elderly people, people with chronic illnesses, and people with disabilities may be exempt from fasting if fasting poses a risk to their health or well-being. They may also pay fidyah instead of making up the missed days.
What are the benefits and rewards of fasting?
- Fasting has many benefits and rewards, both in this world and in the hereafter. Some of them are:
- Fasting teaches self-control, patience, and perseverance. It helps Muslims to overcome their desires and habits, and to focus on their spiritual goals.
- Fasting purifies the body and the soul. It cleanses the body from toxins and impurities, and the soul from sins and faults. It also increases the immunity and metabolism of the body.
- Fasting enhances the worship and devotion of Muslims. It increases the awareness and consciousness of Allah, and the gratitude and appreciation for His blessings. It also strengthens the bond and connection with the Quran, which is recited and studied more during Ramadan.
- Fasting brings Muslims closer to each other and to humanity. It fosters a sense of solidarity, compassion, and generosity among Muslims, who share their food, money, and time with their fellow Muslims and the needy. It also makes Muslims empathize with the poor and the hungry, and motivates them to help them.
- Fasting earns a great reward from Allah, who promises to multiply the reward for every good deed done in Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” [Bukhari and Muslim]. He also said, “Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied, a good deed by ten times its value, up to seven hundred times. Allah says: Except for fasting, which belongs to Me, and I reward it accordingly” [Bukhari and Muslim].
How can I make the most of Ramadan?
- Ramadan is a precious opportunity to improve oneself and to attain Allah’s pleasure and forgiveness. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to make the most of Ramadan:
- Prepare yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually for Ramadan. Make a plan and set goals for what you want to achieve in Ramadan, such as reading the Quran, praying, giving charity, etc. Seek Allah’s help and guidance to fulfill your plan and goals.
- Eat healthy and balanced meals for suhoor and iftar. Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal that helps you to sustain your energy and hydration throughout the day. Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. Avoid overeating, spicy, fried, or sugary foods, and drink plenty of water and fluids.
- Pray on time and perform the extra prayers. The five daily prayers are the most important acts of worship, and they should be performed on time and with concentration. The extra prayers include the Taraweeh, which are special night prayers performed in congregation after the last prayer of the day, called Isha, and the Qiyam, which are optional prayers performed in the last third of the night before Fajr.
- Read and understand the Quran. The Quran is the word of Allah, and it is the best guidance and reminder for Muslims. Ramadan is the month of the Quran, and Muslims should try to read as much of it as possible, and to understand its meanings and messages. It is recommended to read the Quran with a translation and a commentary, and to listen to the recitation of the Quran by a qualified reciter.
- Give charity and help the needy. Charity is one of the most virtuous deeds in Islam, and it has many benefits and rewards. Charity purifies the wealth and the heart, and it brings Allah’s mercy and blessings. Charity also helps the poor and the needy, and it alleviates their suffering and hardship. Muslims should give charity regularly, especially in Ramadan, and they should also volunteer and participate in humanitarian and social causes.
- Seek forgiveness and repentance. Ramadan is a time of mercy and forgiveness from Allah, who accepts the repentance of His servants and pardons their sins. Muslims should seek forgiveness and repentance sincerely and frequently, and they should also forgive and reconcile with others. They should also avoid sins and bad habits, and strive to improve their character and manners.
- Make dua and remember Allah. Dua is the supplication and invocation of Allah, and it is the essence of worship. Muslims should make dua often and earnestly, and they should ask Allah for all their needs and desires, both in this world and in the hereafter. They should also remember Allah by praising Him, glorifying Him, and mentioning His names and attributes. They should also use the remembrance formulas taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him), such as saying “SubhanAllah” (Glory be to Allah), “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to Allah), “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), and “La ilaha illa Allah” (There is no god but Allah).
We hope this article has answered some of your questions about Ramadan and has inspired you to make the most of this blessed month. May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, charity, and good deeds, and may He grant us His mercy, forgiveness, and paradise. Ameen.