Month of Souls… Ramadan is the month of spiritual reflection, devotional achievements and solace to the observers and solitude to the worshipers.
It is the Holy month of Ramadan reemerging as Muslims around the world prepare to festive its immense spiritual and health benefits after a long waiting…
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar, the origin of the name is still disputed but the majority of scholars and observers agree upon the conclusion that the word Ramadan originated from the Arabic term Ramudd which means intense scorching heat and dryness, Ramadan with “an” at the end stands for the ultimate in intensity of scorching heat.
وَرَمَضَانُ مُشْتَقٌّ مِنْ الْإِرْمَاضِ أَيْ الْإِحْرَاقِ وَقَدْ رَمِضَ يَرْمَضُ رَمَضًا مِنْ حَدِّ عَلِمَ أَيْ احْتَرَقَ وَأَرْمَضَهُ غَيْرُهُ وَالرَّمْضَاءُ الْحِجَارَةُ الْمُحْمَاةُ وَفِي الْمَثَلِ كَالْمُسْتَغِيثِ مِنْ الرَّمْضَاءِ بِالنَّارِ يُضْرَبُ لِمَنْ اسْتَغَاثَ مِنْ ظَالِمٍ إلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَظْلَمُ مِنْهُ أَوْ نَفَرَ مِنْ أَمْرٍ شَدِيدٍ إلَى أَمْرٍ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ
“…and [the term] ‘Ramadan’ is derived from the word ‘al-irmad’ which means ‘intense heat and burning’ (al-ihraq) […] and ‘al-ramda’’ which means heated stones’ (al-hijara al-muhmat)…” al-Nasafi, Talbat al-Talaba fi Istilahat al-Fuqaha’, s.v. r / m / d, p.27. See also E. W. Lane, Arabic-English Lexicon, Bk.1, pp.1156-1157.
The annual Ramadan observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, it lasts 29–30 days based upon the visual sightings of the crescent moon, in this month of fasting it is believed that the Holy Quran was sent down from heaven as guidance for humanity and a means to human Salvation and self-improvement.
Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding…
While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations they even refrain from swearing, Food and drink is served daily, before sunrise as Suhhor and after sunset as Iftar and the rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied covering spiritual health and wealth promoting self-improvement and spiritual awareness, during fasting Muslims tend to increase their prayers and recitation of Quran.
Ramadan to Muslims is considered to be the month of increased prayer and charity, the month of unequivocal and unmatched heavenly blessings it is mercy and forgiveness.
In Chapter 2, Revelation 185 of the Quran it says:
The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.[Quran 2:185]
Muhammad first received revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. Hence it is considered to be the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra.
The most sacred night of the year also happens to be in Ramadan it is called Laylat al Qadr which in English means night of ultimate power and decree. This night is considered to be the holiest night of the year since it is believed to be the night of the first revelation of the Quran sent down to Muhammad, it was described in the Quran as: “better than one thousand months [of proper worship], Surah Al-Qadr:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power. (1) Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is! (2) The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. (3) The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees. (4) (The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn. (5).
سُوۡرَةُ القَدر
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِى لَيۡلَةِ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (١) وَمَآ أَدۡرَٮٰكَ مَا لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (٢) لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَلۡفِ شَہۡرٍ۬ (٣) تَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيہَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّہِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمۡرٍ۬ (٤) سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطۡلَعِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ (٥)
The appearance of Laylat al Qadr is recorded always on an odd night of the month mostly during the last ten days 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. of Ramadan.
Laylate al Qadr is the holiday night for the angels and it is believed that in this night all rightfull and just prayers would be answered to the observer who witnesses it, it is the night that the angels are empowered to fulfill the worshipers will by pre permission from Allah.
Eid al Fitre announces the end of Fasting and the ushering of a new lunar month Shawall, breaking the fast is usually very ceremonial and rich in rituals and traditions shared by over one and a half billion Muslims around the world.
There are tens of dessert dishes specially prepared to serve for this unique occasion depending on the traditions of country and race.
With desserts I announce the end of this article wishing you all the best of devotion and fulfillment of dreams.
Enjoy
Adam El Masri
