Islam has five important religious obligations, that are called “Arkaan e Islam” or “pillars of Islam”. These include Klima e Tayyeba, prayer, observing fast in the month of Ramadan, Paying Zakat to the poor and needy people of the Muslim community, and last but not least offering Hajj at Ka`ba. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the basic pillars of Islam, on which, the whole building of Eemaan is firmly standing. Ramadan is the 8th month of the Islamic means lunar calendar. It is the sacred month of the whole Islamic year. It is the month, in which Allah Almighty has promised the Muslims the greatest reward, even upon the smallest virtue. For practicing Muslims, this month is a great source of attaining Allah`s Mercy and bounties.
What does Fasting mean?
Fasting is a religious practice, which was reported to be followed by the Jews and the Christians, in their specific ways. We, Muslims fast in the month of Ramadan, during fasting, we eat food and drink water at specific times and remain hungry and thirsty, on Allah`s will, for a specific time. We do Sehri, in the last hours of the night, before Fajar prayer, and remain hungry and thirsty till Azaan e Maghrib, a few moments before Azaan e Maghrib, we break the fast. Aftaar or breaking fast is said to be a reward of Allah SWT, for the Muslims, who observe fast. Traditionally, Muslim families all across the world, prepare more than one different kind of meal, especially for breaking fast. Pakistanis traditionally make Pakoras, Samosas, Dahi barry n Fruit chaat-type stuff, for breaking fast. It is a beautiful tradition. Many other fried and spicy foods, though unhealthy, are specially prepared for breaking fast. We can eat, whatever we want after Azaan e maghrib, until dawn, at Fajar prayer. This is, what we Muslims call observing a fast.
Fasting is an important Islamic teaching. It is discussed many times in Quran e Kareem, some of the references are as follows.
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous”
Surat al Baqarah.
Above mentioned verse of the Holy Quran clearly states that fasting was declared compulsory for the whole Muslims. But only righteous people obey this order.
Another verse of Surat al Baqarah laid stress on fasting, in the following words.
“….. But to fast is best for you if you if you only knew.”
A special prayer of Ramadan, Taraweeh
Ramadan Kareem is the best month for praying, reciting Holy Quran, giving alms to the poor, offering Nawaafil, and things like that. As Allah Almighty has promised a great reward, even for the minutest virtue, in the month of Ramadan. But the most important prayer to say in this month, which is only specified for the month of Ramadan is Taraweeh. It is postnatal worship. But Allah Almighty announced a great reward for offering Taraweeh on Ramadhan nights. The prayer consists of 20 nwaafil, but one can offer 12 or 8 nawafil as well.
The revelation of the Quran in Ramadan
One of the prominent features of Ramadan is the fact that Allah Almighty revealed Quran to the Holy Prophet SAW in this month. It is stated in Quran
“The month of Ramadan {is that}in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So, whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey_ then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that[to] which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful.”
Surat al Baqara.
Thus, this verse clearly announces that Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet SAW in the month of Ramadan.
Another verse of the Quran from Surat al Qadr says,
“Verily, We have revealed this [Holy Quran] in Laylat-ul-Qadr.”
In the verse, Allah Almighty affirms once again, that Quran was sent to the Holy Prophet Peace be upon him, on Laylatul Qadr, which is a valuable night in the month of Ramadan.
Lyla tul Qadr:
Layla tul Qadr, which means a night of blessing in the last ten days of Ramadan. This night falls on one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. This is a night of blessings. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran,
“The night of Al Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel] by Allah`s permission with all decrees, there is peace until the appearance of dawn.”
Lylat ul Qadr is the blessed night. Its blessings are more than prayer and meditation of one thousand nights. Muslims all over the world, spend this night in prayer and meditation. Allah Almighty bless this night with countless blessings and bounties, and everyone who spends the night in prayer and meditation will surely receive all the blessings of Allah Almighty. His night is a treasure of blessings and only believers can get all these blessings.
In a nutshell, we can conclude that Ramadan is a bundle of blessings and bounties of Allah Almighty. It allows us to earn forgiveness and the blessings of Allah SWT. It is the most sacred month of the lunar calendar. It should be spent with zeal for prayer and meditation. Eid ul Fitr is a reward for fasting for 30 days in the month of Ramadan.