How Muslims Celebrate Ramadan?
Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims residing in different parts of the world. It is the holy month and is considered one of the most auspicious months in Islam. Muslims worldwide celebrate Ramadan with a lot of zeal and passion. It is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and is the holy month of fasting.
The holy month of Ramadan ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. The Muslim calendar year is short as compared to the Gregorian calendar year. This is why Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier every year. Ramadan falls in every season through the 33-year cycle.
Ramadan is one of the most important months in Islam. The Holy Quran has revealed to the Prophet Muhammed “Peace Be Upon Him” during Ramadan. This special event makes the month of Ramadan even more special. Let’s get to know more about Ramadan and how it is celebrated.
What Is Ramadan?
People from different religions are curious about Ramadan. They also want to know how long is Ramadan and how it is celebrated. Ramadan is a holy month in which Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink till sunset.
They stop eating or drinking from the sunrise and wait till the sunsets. Not eating or drinking for this specific period is called fasting. Children don’t have to fast until they reach puberty. Children at the age of 14 are allowed to fast.
Fasting is not a restriction for someone sick or traveling a long distance. If a Muslim skips a fast for some reason, they have to make up for the lost fasting on days other than Ramadan. The holy month lasts for 29 or 30 days.
How Is Ramadan Celebrated?
The holy month of Ramadan is celebrated with a lot of zeal in all parts of the world. Muslims pray five times a day and follow a strict eating schedule according to the rules of Islam. Non-Muslims and people who don’t know about Islam want to know how Ramadan is celebrated. Let’s find out how Muslims celebrate Ramadan.
1. The Fast Starts at Sun Rise and Ends at Sunset
The fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is done between sunrise and sunset. Fasting makes Muslims more patient and content. Muslims stay patient and don’t eat or drink anything till the sunsets. Fasting makes Muslims realize the suffering that the poor worldwide are going through. They are devoted to their faith and starve themselves till the sunset for the sake of Allah.
2. Number of Meals during Ramadan
Fasting can be a challenge because you cannot eat or drink anything for a long period. Most people during Ramadan want to know What time is suhoor?
During Ramadan, Muslims have 2 meals: the first meal is called “Iftar.” Muslims eat the Iftar meal when the sun starts to set. The second meal is called “Suhoor.” It is a meal that is taken just before sunrise.
Suhoor is the second meal of the day during Ramadan. People who are fasting are not allowed to eat or drink until sunset. Eating and drinking anything during the daylight hours is prohibited during fasting. The Sehri is consumed in the morning. It can be as early as 3 or 4 am in the morning.
3. Routine of Muslims during Ramadan
During Ramadan, Muslims make sure to give up all their bad habits. Muslims want to go nearer to the lord during the month of Ramadan. Allah has promised that he forgives people more during the month of Islam.
During the fast, people ask for forgiveness by praying. They also carry out good deeds and spend time with their family and friends. They also make efforts to help people in need.
4. Reading the Holy Quran
The Holy Quran is the holy book of Muslims. It consists of all the teachings of Islam. It was bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) during Ramadan. Reading the Quran during the month of Ramadan is considered one of the best deeds.
This is why people read the Quran while they are fasting. The whole Quran is completed during the month of Ramadan. Men attend all the prayers at the mosque, and even some women go to the mosque to attend Islamic gatherings.
The recitation of the Quran is done every day during the holy month. The mosques in localities hold gatherings after Iftar. During these gatherings, the recitation of the Quran is done every day. It is not compulsory to attend a Mosque gathering to read the Quran.
You can also read the whole Quran by yourself at home. People have a busy routine during the month because reading the Quran keeps them busy.
5. Breaking The Fast
After the sunset prayer, Muslims go to their homes or mosques and break their fast. The fast is broken by a meal called ifṭār. This meal is shared with friends and extended family. The ifṭār meal begins with dates. This was the custom of Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Many people also eat apricots and water or sweetened milk at the time of Iftar.
6. Tawarīḥ prayers are Arranged at Mosques
Many additional prayers are offered at night, called the tawarīḥ prayers. These special types of prayers are performed in the congregation at the mosque. The entire Qurʾān is recited during this prayer time. The whole Quran is completed during the month of Ramadan.
This worship time is often arranged at Mosques. This prayer is held in the evening after the Iftar. People adjust their work hours and go to Mosques to attend the prayers. Working hours in most Muslim countries are reduced during the holy month.
The communities use sound drums or ring bells during the predawn hours to remind the residents that it is time for the meal called the suḥūr.
7. Muslims Arrange Iftar Parties
The holy month of Ramadan is dedicated to Allah, and people make every effort to make him happy. They seek his blessings and want to get as many blessings of God as they can. But that doesn’t mean they don’t celebrate the holy month with their family and friends.
People hold Iftar parties for their friends and family. They take the Iftar meals together and gather together to share a wonderful time.
Special meals are cooked at the Iftar time, and the food items are enjoyed along with the whole family and friends. The holy month of Ramadan is nothing less than a festival in Muslim countries. Even people living there don’t leave any stone unturned in celebrating Ramadan.
It is a time of joy for Muslims as they look forward and make efforts to seek blessings from Allah. People visit their family and friends and also share gifts with them. Special meals are prepared during Ramadan, and food is enjoyed during the Sahur and Iftar time.
8. Donations and Charities are Made Frequently
The practice of charity and donations is a major part of celebrating Ramadan. People want to do as many good deeds as they can during the holy month. They seek Allah’s forgiveness and want to make him happy.
One of the easiest ways to make Allah happy is to help his people. People make donations and do charity during the month of Ramadan. They also get involved in fundraising for charity organizations. Many people arrange Iftar meals for the poor.
Clothes, food items, and other necessities are delivered to the poor and needy. Doing charity and helping the poor and needy is one of the most major deeds Muslims do during the holy month.
9. How To Make Up For a Lost Fast?
A fast can be broken by eating or drinking during the daytime. The lost day can be made up by fasting for another day. If someone becomes ill and cannot fast during the month, he can always make up for his fasts by fasting on other days besides Ramadan.
People traveling or are sick can fast on some substitute days to make up for the lost Ramadan days. Feeding the poor and needy can also be a substitute for fasting. If you cannot fast for some reason, you can see someone else too fast instead of you.
The compulsion is that you will have to support the meals and other needs of the fasting person for you. Pregnant or nursing women or old and weak people are exempted from fasting. Travelers on long journeys or mentally ill people can be exempt from the requirement of fasting.
10. End Of Ramadan Celebrations
Many non-Muslims wonder, What do you say at the end of Ramadan? The answer to this question is simple. At the end of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr is celebrated. Muslims say Happy Eid to each other at the end of Ramadan. Eid is a celebration time for Muslims.
It is a form of gift arranged by Allah. It is a reward and celebration time for Muslims. After completing a whole month of praying and fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid with a lot of zeal and happiness.
Conclusion
Muslims all over the world are Celebrating Ramadan with all their heart. They seek forgiveness from God. The Holy month is a special month where Allah blesses and forgives people.
Reference Link: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/ramadan2.htm