by Shaheen Darr

Created on: August 20, 2008   Last Updated: September 04, 2008

It is during the month of Ramadan that the Holy Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca. Muslims all over the world observe this month by fasting and abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk. Fasting has been prescribed for Muslims to teach them self discipline, piety and restraint in their lives. In addition refraining from having food and drink at these prescribed times because of Allah's command is the ultimate way of showing a Muslim's submission to Allah.

Calendars are printed by Islamic centres to coincide the closing and opening timing of the fasts with every Muslim household in the country. In addition several Islamic television and radio channels actively broadcast related programmes and information on all related subjects during the month of Ramadan.

Muslims wake up in the early hours of the morning (Sehri), eat together at this time and then do a special neeyah or intentional prayer to Allah to begin their fast. During the fast, it is not just the food or drink that a Muslim abstains from but abstinence in his general behaviour and thoughts has to be practiced too. This means keeping away from anger, bad behaviour, rudeness and sexual activities so that the person practices purity both physically and mentally. All other work related activities are carried out as normal but the focus remains on the pact that you have made with Allah to fast both in mind, body and spirit.

Praying five times a day and reading the Koran are food to the soul of each fasting Muslim and as evening approaches the preparation for opening the fast (Aftari) starts in full swing. Special dishes are prepared and invitations are given to family and friends to share in the opening of the fast together. Cooling drinks like Falooda which is a milk drink made with soaked basil seeds, vermicelli and rose syrup make an appearance during Ramadan. There is also an abundance of dates and the fast is customarily opened with water and dates, a practice that Prophet Muhammad observed when he would open his fast. There is a verbal prayer that is read out to say that the fast was for Allah and is going to be opened with sustenance from Allah.

During Ramadan in addition to the obligatory 5 prayers practiced there is a special evening prayer called Taraweeh which is performed after the 5th prayer. In this prayer sections from the Koran are read in a congregation and by the end of Ramadan the reading of the whole Koran is completed. Taraweeh means to rest and relax in Arabic and there are periods of rest observed during this prayer as it is a particularly long one compared to the other prayers.

The last 10 nights of Ramadan are considered very important to Muslims with the night of the 27th day of Ramadan being a very special night as it is on this night that the Holy Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This is the night which Allah has deemed better than 'a thousand months' and the angels have leave to come to earth with decrees of all kinds. Muslims will pray throughout this night asking for forgiveness and benevolence from Allah. According to the Sunnah or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad a Muslim should seek the 'Honoured Night in the last ten.' (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Once the 30 days of fasting are completed the tenth month of the Muslim calendar begins with the sighting of the moon as a crescent. Eid-ul-Fitr is then celebrated; an occasion when friends and families get together and give each other presents and eat lavish meals together. Women put henna on their hands and wear new clothes to signify the spirit of celebration. Children who have fasted are given gifts by their parents for the effort they have shown and special Eid prayers are held all over the country.

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