It is also pronounced as Ramazan. It is the holy month for Muslims as they fast (Roza) the whole month so as to seek blessings of Almighty Allah.
Ramadan is the ninth (9th) month of Islamic Calendar.
Fasting is compulsory to all Muslims in this month except those who are suffering from any disease, children of age less than 12, traveler, and the woman during menstruation.
They offer Namaz-e- Taraweeh along with Namaz-e-Isha in this month. It is also consider as month of good blessings. At the end of this month Eid festival is celebrated with great happiness and enthusiast.
Meaning of the word Ramadan
Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word Ramad which means intensely heated by son.
The Ramadan celebration started from 2nd Hijri i.e. second year of Islamic calendar. After Namaz, Fasting is the second which is made compulsory to be performed.
Hence for fasting the Month of Ramadan gets selected. This is also because the Allah had send angel Gabriel to reveal his message to prophet Muhammad in the cave of “Hira”.
To make it remarkable this month is considered to show respect and honor. And it is instructed to spend the days as it has been spend by the prophet. He used to neglect food during day time and praise the Almighty Allah during night time.
A person starts their fast by doing “Sehri”, eating before sunrise. And breaks it at”Iftar” just after sunset. These two are most charming time during Ramadan.
Muslim offers their five times Namaz along with Taraweeh with great enthusiast timely. They recite Quran every day.
They search for “Shab-e-qadr (Night of power)” in odd days of last 10 days of Ramadan month. This night is considered to be better than thousand of month.
Everyday new dishes are prepared to eat for breaking the fast. Everyone starts their shopping for the celebration of eid. They offer “Sadqa” and “Zakat” i.e. amount of money to poor and needy people.
Why Muslim celebrates Ramadan?
Muslim celebrates Ramazan as it is instructed by the Allah to do so.
The revelation, which forms the theological basis of Ramadan fasting, was recorded in Chapter 2 (Surah al Baqarah), verse number 185. It states:
“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.
So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days.
Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”
Importance of Ramadan
There are many reasons which give importance to the month Ramadan.
- This is the month in which the first verses of Quran were revealed to the prophet Mohammed Sallealahu Alaihi Wasallam.
- This month is given more importance in Quran and Hadeet.
- Lailatul Qadr is also known as Shab-e-Qadr which means Night of Power or Night of destiny in which Quran is dismounted to the earth in this month.
- According to Islamic belief Prophet have said that Whoever does Sunnat (optional good deeds) during this month, will get the reward of doing Fard (compulsory deeds). And the one who perform Fard in this month will get the reward of doing it seventy times.
- Door of the heaven gets open in this month.
- The devils are imprisoned.
Advantages of Roza or fasting
- Blessings of fast escape the fasting person from all the evils.
- Roza helps to estimate the hunger and thirst.
- One can feel the starvation of poor.
- It is also said by prophet that the pray’s of fasting person at the time of breaking fast never gets denied.
Muslim not only gets rewards of religious obligation but also get health benefits. Nowadays Doctors and researcher are considering fasting as a treatment.
- Helps in fat breakdown and losing weight
Day by day fats get stored in the body. When one does not eat for more than 12 hours, fats breakdown occurs as it is the only source of energy that can be used. Breaking of fats releases energy which is used to perform day to day activities. This leads to weight loss as fats store gets reduced.
- Helps to prevent Diabetes
Fasting reduces blood sugar level and insulin. Breakdown of glucose occur and hence less susceptible to diabetes.
- Prevent us from addiction
During fast it is not advised to eat or drink anything. Hence people who are addicted to drugs, drinks, cigarette, cocaine etc can be advised to fast. So they can overcome from these addictions.
- Rests digestive system
Heavy intake of food is avoided and thus help digestive system to take rest. Stomach problems as well as gastric issues get reduced.
- Improves family bonding
All the family members sit together to eat at Sehri as well as Iftar time. As well as family friends are invited to break the fast altogether. Time to time eating and offering prayers make us punctual.
- Maintains blood pressure
Atherosclerosis leads to improper flow of blood. Fatty particles get clogged into the arteries and this is known as atherosclerosis. Fasting uses these clogged fats to release energy thereby maintains blood pressure.
- Support Healthy diet
Fasting prevent us from taking unhealthy and junk foods.
- Develops better attitude
Ramadan is the month of peace and patience. It also prevents from performing bad deeds.
It is said to perform good how much one can do. Hence improvement of heart as well as mind takes place.
- May enhance age
Fasting can be considered as all in one solution. It not only removes toxins from the body but also helps to make one fit.
It provides fitness to brain, heart, pancreas, lungs, kidneys, skin, and so on. Hence it decreases aging effect as well as helps to live longer.