What is Ramadan and what does it celebrate ?

Answer 1

Ramadan is referred to as a lunar holiday. The observation of Ramadan moves through the year, eventually occurring in each of the seasons. Most of us are familiar with Christmas being celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ.  But what is the origin of Ramadan?

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic year (which is lunar) and marks the anniversary of more than one significant event. It was during Ramadan that the Koran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. According to legend, he was sitting alone in the wilderness when suddenly the angel Gabriel came to him with a golden tablet in his hands. The angel told Muhammad to read what was
written on the tablet. What was on this golden tablet is said to be the essence of the Koran, just as the Tablets of the Law that Moses received on Mt. Sinai were the basis of the bible's Old Testament..

Another event is said to be the Battle of Badr - which is the first battle between Mecca and Medina
residents. The people of Mecca were idol worshippers and the people of Medina were Muslims, in which the Muslims had a glorious victory.

The Islamic faith has what is termed The 5 Pillars or requirements of that faith.  One of the
most well known is fasting, which begins when the new moon is sighted (usually on the 28th day of the previous month). As I said earlier, Ramadan moves through the year as it's start date. So, when Ramadan falls in the height of summer, fasting is a bit more difficult to observe because the days are
nearly 16 hours long. Why is this a problem?

Because their fasting is for daylight hours only and they can not eat or drink until the sun goes down. Muslims are permitted to hold water in their mouths for a moment, but they can not swallow it.

The purpose of fasting is to teach self-discipline and is needed to prepare for the suffering that Muslims may have to face in the course of obeying their God. They also feel it is a powerful means of defeating Satan because the poisons that are Satan's weapons are strengthened by eating and drinking. And they also all do it at the same time, creating a communal experience in which they all know what it's like to be hungry.

According to the Phophet, there are 5 things that will undo all the good that comes from fasting:
1. Telling a lie
2.  Denouncing someone behind his or her back
3. Slander
4. A False Oath
5. Greed or Covetousness

In the evening, when you can break the fast and eat, (known as Iftar) it is usually customary to begin with a white soup made of wheat broiled in meat broth. This is followed later by a regular dinner of meat, rice and vegetables. Iftar is a happy occassion and food is either prepared at home or purchased at a market. The timing of Iftar is usually announced on the radio or television today. But the old tradition is to listen for the call from the minarets of the mosque. Some Muslims will break their fast by first taking a drink of water and eating a date, just as the Prophet broke his fast years prior. Now, when do you start to fast? The rule is that when it becomes light enough where you can tell a white thread from a black thread, the fast must begin.

The Muslim belief states that whoever observes this fasting faithfully and with pure intentions, will have his or her sins forgiven. Fasting during Ramadan is said to be 30 times more powerful than fasting any other time of the year.

In many Islamic countries, the beginning of Ramadan is announced by a firing of a gun or cannon on the eve of the first day (which begins at sunset not sunrise!)

Cannon fire is also used to signal the beginning and end of each day's fast.

The morning hours are usually spent reciting the Koran, while the rest of the day is spent sleeping, reading and praying. Then, as sunset approaches, Muslims gather in the mosque to chant the Koran and pray. When the gun announces the end of the fast, they return home to eat. It is compulsory for every Muslim over the age of 12 to observe the fast.Children learn to fast by doing so gradually, until they are old enough to do so without injuring their health.

Ramadan is a time for self-examination and increased religious devotion. The fast ends when the new moon is again sighted and the month of Shawwal begins. It is followed by the Id Al-Fitr feasting and the exchange of gifts.

Answer 2

Ramadan

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(rämädän´, răm´´dän´) , in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which all Muslims must fast during the daylight hours. Indulgence of any sort is forbidden during the fast. There are only a few who are exempt, e.g., soldiers, the sick, and the young. Because of the purely lunar calendar, Ramadan falls in different seasons. The final day of Ramadan, Id al-Fitr, is celebrated by a day of feasting. The first revelation of the Qur'an is commemorated in this month.

Answer 3

Ramadan is the 9th month of the islamic calender. Its not exactly a celebration. In ramadan, muslims are exapected to fast for either 29 or 30 days.

Answer 4

Ramadan suppose to be a Holy month that let all Muslims too experience (to fast) the hardship of starving... so that they will know how poor people live and help less fortunate people more. in the same time, thank God to give them a good and blessed life.

however, it is a sad thing in Malaysia that people see Ramadan differently: Ramadan become a month of enjoy, feast, eat abd spend a lot of money to buy luxury things. People (Muslims) spend A LOT of money on buffet in hotel everyday for fast breaking dinner. there are a lot of "special Ramadan Buffet", "Ramadan special pizza", "Ramadan Special Offer", "Ramadan month megasale".... Ramadan month becomes a month of shopping and eat....

just don't understand why they spend all these money TO EXPERIENCE THE HARDSHIP OF LESS FORTUNATE PEOPLE!!! I'm not a Muslim and i couldn't understand the rasonale of fasting this way!!!

Answer 5

Ramadan is a month in the Muslim calendar when you fast. Muslims wake up at sunrise and eat a big breakfast( to keep you filled up for some of the time) and at sunset they break their fast. The whole reason for Ramadan is for people to realize how much they have and how fortunate they are, and how little others have. It is also a way of becoming closer to God.

Answer 6

I am a Malaysian. And i am a Moslem. Ramadhan is a month where the Moslem will become as humble, as tolerance, as patience as they can. Not only that the Moslem dont eat during the day, but they are more closer to Allah.

Yes, Ramadhan is when Malaysia is so abundant of food and i do agree with June when she said that it is totally away from what Ramadhan supposed to be. Well, June, let me remind you that what happened in Malaysia is nothing to do with the religion and the belief but it is a fad. Or should i say a culture? Not only Moslem enjoy this moment of food fiesta, but the non-Moslem awaited this moment as well. As for me, Ramadhan is where i feel closer to my One and Only God without having to 'membazir' and this is when i come home early from work and cook for the breaking fast. I seldom buy from the food bazaar as it is normally too crowded

For all of you who haven't been to Malaysia, this is the right time to pay Malaysia a visit because you'll get to taste the harmonious menu ever on earth.

Answer 7

I am Talib 36, Ramadan celebrates the time when the Muslim Holy book(Quran) was first being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) of over 1400yrs ago. It is the act of fasting from sun up to sun down with no food, drink, or sex(with spouse), the act of deterring negative thoughts, and not engaging in frivolous talk, which lasts for 30 days. All of this is done to please the Creator. This in turn helps to renew your faith year after year and create discipline within oneself to help keep you grounded in the day to day interactions of society.

Answer 8

Im zaikee13 and Im 14 years old. Ramadan is when you dont eat for a while. Its the 9th month of a muslim year and they cant eat during the daylight hours. I learned this in seventh grade

Answer 9

The Meaning of Ramadan
Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims.

I was curious as I work with one :-)

Answer 10

Ramadan is a month in which Muslims practice fasting, not saying lies, not doing sins and ask God to forgive their sins in the past. it is a month for purification physically and mentally. after completion of the period, they celebrate their success to purify themselves from all traces of sins and becoming ready to remain a good Muslim in the remaining days of the year. They celebrate it by giving charities to the poor.