Celebration

There are five pillars in Islam and fasting is the third of the five basic pillars of Islam. It is ‘farz’ or obligatory for all Muslims except children, the sick and people who have to travel long distances. As revealed in the Holy Quran2:183):

O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become righteous

This means that Muslims have been asked to fast as all the other people and nations before them were asked to fast so that they may be guided to the straight path.

Ramadan is also known as ‘Ramazan’ (which is Arabic word) and it is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. This month is very important for all Muslims because Muslims have to fast for whole month.  Fasting starts at dawn and end at sunset. Fasting is also known as ‘sawm’ in Arabic which means ‘to stop or hold on’.  Therefore, fasting means ‘to stop oneself from food and drink and any other things which cross from your mouth and goes to your stomach from sunrise to sunset’. The month of Ramadan begins when the crescent moon is sighted. Muslims wake up before the sunrise and eat some food at this time. This is called ‘sehri’ or ‘suhoor’ which means ‘pre-dawn meal before a day-long fast’.  After sehri, they start their fasting and end it at sunset. Muslim breaks their fast with water or dates which is considered a ‘sunnah’ of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This time is called ‘iftar’ which means ‘a meal eaten at sunset to end the fast of the day’. After that, people go for ‘taraweeh’ which are extra prayers after the regular night prayers. This routine goes on for twenty nine to thirty days till the end of the month.

Ramadan is a month of blessings for Muslims, so people try to help poor and needy people. They give lots of charity and food to the needy. This is also the month in which the holy book of the Muslims, the ‘Holy Quran’ was revealed to their Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).Fasting has many other benefits too. From a medical perspective, It is beneficial because when we fast for one month, it helps regulate our whole body system and cleanses our body physically simply by fasting. Fasting also helps in losing weight. Fasting also teaches self-control. It also functions to cleanse the body from inside out. If in this month, we can stop ourselves from food, backbiting and harsh talk with each other, then, that means we can control ourselves and discipline ourselves to behave well and respect others. Fasting is important for cleansing of the soul and this redirect us from self to others and makes us realize hunger and needs of others so we try to help and take care of others and give charity and food to the needy and poor. In a nutshell, fasting teaches us sacrifice, empathy, self-control, self-discipline and cleanses our soul so we can be guided onto a right path.

The month of Ramadan lasts for 29 to 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon. Once again, when the moon is sighted, the next day is declared as ‘Eid’. Eid-ul-fitr’ is a celebration which marks the end of the month of fasting. Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid by attending congregational prayers in the morning and making a mandatory donation to the poor.  After prayers, everyone rejoices by celebrating with friends and family.