Explain the importance of Ramadan for Muslims and the ways it might affect their lives

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Kannan Navaratnam

10 AGH/ Religious Education (Islam)

(a)  Describe What Happens At Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar (a calendar measured by the cycles of the moon). Ramadan is thought as the holiest months. The month begins as soon as the new moon is seen.

Muslims have to go without from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact between dawn and sunset (Fasting during the month of Ramadan is to be carried out each day from when "the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread . . . till the night appears." Quran 2:187). These are just the physical components of the fast. Other things Muslims should do are refraining from lying, gossiping, abuse, and all other bad deeds. All obscene sights and sounds should be avoided. This is done so that the mind can be clean of bad thoughts. The act of fasting redirects the heart and mind from the world, and directs it to God. When a Muslim has an “urge” he/she is told to think of Allah, this raises the level of God-consciousness.

The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. In the evening some Muslims go to the mosque to perform extra prayers in a congregation, called Tarawih prayers.

 Every night during these prayers, one thirtieth of Koran is recited, so that by the end of the month, the entire Koran has been read. People wish each other “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak”, this means a successful, happy and blessed month.

During the last 10 days of the month Muslims try and spend as much time worshipping in the mosque as possible. Some Muslims even spend the whole of the month there. During the month of Ramadan it is also a very popular time for Muslims to visit Mecca and Medina (Holy Places).

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A normal day of fasting for a Muslim starts with a very early breakfast called sahoor.  Breakfast is eaten while it’s still dark, before the beginning of dawn. In a family home there may be a variety of foods. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is to be carried out each day from when "the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread . . . till the night appears." (Quran 2:187)

Some Muslims then go to the mosque to do the dawn prayer (1 prayer out of 5) and they recite verses of ...

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