What is Ramadan? | Importance And Benefits Of Ramadan

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast in Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts, and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran, and charity are also encouraged during the holy month of Ramadan.

The holy month of Ramadan is once again upon us. While most of us will be fasting and praying and seeking Allah’s blessings in this month some would be spending even more time in extra prayers and remembrance of Allah. Every year Ramadan offers a kind of transcendental experience for many Muslims.

Muslims also believe the Quran was revealed in Ramadan.

During the holy month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.

It is common for mosques to host large iftars, especially for the poor and needy. Nightly prayers called Tarawih are also held in mosques after iftar.

Different cultures have different traditions during Ramadan, whether it is a special food they must cook, or eating iftar with the extended family. Islamic tenets such as generosity inspired most of these traditions, including sharing food and inviting guests over for iftar.

When is Ramadan?

Since Ramadan is part of the lunar calendar, its date annually changes on the Gregorian calendar. Muslims tend to wait for the new month’s moon to appear before they announce the first day of Ramadan. However, they can still estimate the day beforehand.

This year Ramadan begins on Friday, April 24 in most Muslim-majority nations.

How long is Ramadan?

Lunar months last between 29 to 30 days depending on when the new moon is sighted. If the moon is not seen on the night of the 29th day, then Ramadan lasts for the full 30 days.

The Eid al-Fitr celebration marks the end of the month when Muslims celebrate a successful Ramadan of fasting and worship.

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. There is also a verse in the Quran that prescribes fasting for all Muslims who are mature and healthy enough to do so for the full day.

Fasting is also seen as a way to learn patience and break bad habits.

Importance And Its Benefits

The month of Ramadan 2021 is one of the most blessed and rewarding months of the Islamic calendar. Muslims from around the world observe fasting from dawn will dusk. Fasting cleanses a believer’s soul of his past sins. It invokes a sense of humility, righteousness, punctuality, self-restraint, and brotherhood for fellow Muslims. Here are some of the many benefits and the importance of this blessed month.

Attain Taqwa

Fasting helps a Muslim attain Taqwa or the fear of Allah (SWT) and His Wrath. Taqwa invokes a Muslim to practice self-discipline and self-restraint as he fights his urges for all things immoral, makrooh, or haram. Fasting offers Muslim protection and is an excellent way of observing some serious self-reflection and how to become a better Muslim in order to please the Almighty whilst simultaneously preparing for the Hereafter.

The door of Heaven is Open

In the holy month of Ramadan, the gates of hell are closed and the devil is chained. The doors of heaven are open. There is a door in Paradise called Al-Rayyan which is only meant for those believers who observed fasting during Ramadan.

Multiplication of Rewards

The month of Ramadan is the most rewarding month amongst all the Islamic months. During Ramadan, Allah (SWT) multiplies a Muslim’s rewards for worship and good deeds by 10, 70, 700 times.

Repentance and the Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

Allah showers His mercy upon the Muslims, especially during these last 10 nights. In them, du‘ā’ is answered particularly quickly, and especially after one finishes a complete reading (khatm) of the Qur’ān (the best time to complete the last suras in the Qur’ān is either right after Fajr or right after Maghrib and since the nights are so significant, it would be better in to finish it right after Maghrib during the last 10). Also, Allah forgives many, many people and frees them from the Hellfire – so it is recommended to repeatedly ask Allah for forgiveness with a heart that is present and focused on Him, Exalted is He! Also, O Believer, these are the days which the Beloved Prophet, peace, and mercy be upon him, described as the days when Allah frees people from the Fire. So be alert and make use of these days in worship and repentance.

Throughout Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, Muslims seek forgiveness (Sha’faat) from Allah the Almighty to cleanse their body and soul of past sins and misdeeds. Spending the last ten nights awake earns a Muslim reward, blessings, and forgiveness for his efforts. For those who spend the last ten nights in Itikaf, in addition to earning rewards, they get a chance to self-reflect, attain peace of mind, and become patient.

Probably the greatest blessing within these last 10 nights is that Laylat Al-Qadr [The Night of Great Value] is hidden somewhere within its odd nights. It is related by Imām Aḥmad (a sound hadith) that the Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Laylat Al-Qadr is within the 10 remaining days. Whosoever stays up [in prayer/worship]… Allah, Most Exalted, will forgive all his [or her] past and future sins. And it is on an odd night, the 9th, or the 7th, or the 5th, or the 3rd, or the last night.”

Health Benefits

Fasting not only purifies a Muslim’s soul but also his body. Fasting helps reduce weight and rejuvenate the body as food consumption is modified and the body gets a chance to cleanse itself of unwanted impurities and toxins.

Fasting has many benefits for the body as well as for the mind. It gives the body some needed respite provided one does not indulge in the night. And the rigorous discipline and code of conduct that has to be observed daily as part of fasting and for as long as thirty days contribute to one’s patience, tolerance, and overall wellbeing. These are by themselves great health benefits of fasting.

Ramadan brings with itself countless blessings and benefits. Observe fasting in Ramadan to be rewarded in this world and the Hereafter.