“Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, and remembers (glorifies) the name of his Lord and prays” Quran 87:14-15
“Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, and remembers (glorifies) the name of his Lord and prays” Quran 87:14-15
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays “move” each year. In 2012, Ramadan begins at sundown on July 19th.
For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America—Ramadan is a “month of blessing” marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Ramadan focuses on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).
Why this Month?
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today’s Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur’an.
At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur’an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.
Fasting
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.
During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2012 occurs on Aug. 19 (on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar).
Literally the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
Source: infoplease
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Eid-ul-Fitr is a unique festival. It has no connection with any historical event nor is it related to the changes of seasons or cycles of agriculture. It is not a festival related in any way to worldly affairs. Its significance is purely spiritual. It is the day when Muslims thank God for having given them the will, the strength and the endurance to observe the fast and obey His commandments during the holy month of Ramadan.
Thanks to Allah! May Allah bless us all, and grant that we use this Eid as a lens to focus the sun of good works, which have shone so brightly during Ramadan, to light the way through this coming year until the next Ramadan. Amin! Amin!
Source: darvish.wordpress
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Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of thanksgiving and jubilation as it signifies the successful completion of the sacred month of Ramadan.
This festival marks the completion of an act of duty and devotion. It teaches us the lesson that real happiness arises from performing one’s duty and making sacrifices for a noble objective.
Fasting is one of the most significant pillars of Islam. The practice of fasting sublimates the inner self of man and inculcates discernment of the pangs and hardships which the poor and needy face. This feeling is awakened in all those, whether rich or poor, young or old, who observe fasting. It is the loftiest achievement of moral exercises which is celebrated with the greatest zest and verve on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
All kinds of spiritual adorations during the sacred month of Ramadan are in celebration of the revelation of the last and perfect message of Allah to humanity, for the limitless and vast favour on mankind in the shape of the Glorious Qur’an and its implication in the dedication and devotion in the month of Ramadan to which the Divine Book had led. Says the Qur’an: Allah has revealed to you the Book and Wisdom and taught you what you did not know before. Allah’s goodness to you has been great indeed.” (4:113)
There are multiple results of fasting (Siyam) in the shape of vigorous duties, moral and spiritual self-discipline and austerity. This reward equips man to swim in the roughest seas of life. It is in this concept that the Qur’an has clearly expressed the act of fasting as a blessing and not a calamity. Allah desires your well being, not your discomfort. He desires you to fast the whole of the month so that you may magnify Him for giving you His guidance, and that you may give thanks.
It is with this spirit of thanksgiving that Eid-ul-Fitr is observed all over the world by Muslim Ummah by offering prayers to Allah, and rejoicing and festivity on the accomplishment of an act of dedication and submission to the Almighty. The Muslim Ummah meditates and pays obeisance to their Lord in congregation, displaying the real spirit of brotherhood, equality and fraternity through the prayers and through the zest of meeting and embracing the Muslim brothers.
On this happy occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, we should pray to Allah to bless the Muslim Ummah.
We should not forget those who are afflicted with poverty, ignorance, disease and other misfortunes. Charity i.e. the Saddqaha-e-Fitr is obligatory at the end of the fasting month i.e. Ramadan and should be compulsorily paid to the needy by every Muslim of means. The real happiness of Eid lies in sharing our happiness with others. Payment of fitrah to the poor and needy is obligatory. It has to be paid before Eid prayers.
Source: Islamawareness
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All Muslims — be they rich or poor, ill or well, young or old, male or female, and have fasted or not — are required to give Zakat Al Fitr, according to an eminent scholar.
“Zakat Al Fitr is a precious opportunity for all Muslims, irrespective of their financial status, to experience the ‘taste’ of giving, Chief Mufti with the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dr Sheikh Ali Mashael, told Khaleej Times.
Dr. Mashael said that most scholars agreed that Muslims prefer to pay Zakat Al Fitr, which is a compulsory charity for breaking the fast, in the place where they enjoy the first night of the month of Shawwal, which follows Ramadan.
“Expatriates are thus advised to pay Zakat Al Fitr here as it is paid for breaking the fast, rather than fasting. Should a Muslim die before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, Zakat would not be obligatory upon him even if he fasted the whole month. Conversely, if a child is born after the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, it would be mandatory to pay Zakat on his or her behalf,” he said.
“However, Zakat Al Fitr may be paid elsewhere, like home country, if paid to poor people or a needy relative. It is basically associated with Eid which is meant for supporting the poor, satisfying their needs and making them happy during Eid. Zakat is also aimed at expiating for any mistakes or wrongdoings a person may have done during the blessed month.”