Ramadhan al-Mubarak

Ramadan (Arabic:; رمضان) is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, also the month where Muslims believe the Quran was revealed. The phrase Ramadan originates from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, so this means scorching heat or dryness. 

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the hours of sunlight from dawn to sunset. Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who're ill, travelling, pregnant, diabetic or dealing with menstrual bleeding. While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims stay away from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in lovemaking; in some interpretations in addition they try to keep from swearing. Refreshments is served daily, before sunrise and after sunset. In accordance with Islam, the thawab (rewards) of fasting are numerous, however in this month they may be thought to be multiplied. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the raised offering of salat (prayers) and recitation on the Quran.

Ramadan can be a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. Muslims need to set more effort into following the teachings of Islam. As well as abstaining from meals, Muslims also increase restraint, for example abstaining from lovemaking and generally sinful speech and behavior. The action of fasting is claimed to redirect the guts from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims how you can better practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy if you are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat). 

It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, provided they're healthy, sane and have absolutely no disabilities or illnesses. Exemptions to fasting are travel, menstruation, certain illness, pregnancy, and breast-feeding. 

While fasting is not considered compulsory when they are young, many children endeavour to try and do numerous fasts as possible as practice for later life. Those who are struggling to fast are obliged to create up for this. Using the Quran, those ill or traveling (musaafir) are exempt from obligation, but still must make up the days missed at a later date.

Many Muslims insist upon a nearby physical sighting from the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but others operate the calculated time in the new moon and the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of month. Considering that the new moon is not in the same state while doing so globally, first and ending dates of Ramadan rely on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. Because of this, Ramadan dates vary in various countries, but usually only by way of a day. This is a result of the cycle in the moon. The moon travels the identical path all year round and when the moon sometimes appears within the east, it can be then seen traveling towards west. Every one of the countries all over the world begin to see the moon with a 24 hour period once spotted by one country within the east. Each and every year, Ramadan begins about eleven days ahead of in the last year. It takes about 33 years and five days for Ramadan to perform a twelve month move across the yearly calendar.

Muslims feel that the Quran was sent into the best heaven during this month, thus being prepared for gradual revelation by Jibraeel towards the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, Muhammad told his followers how the gates of Heaven could be open all the month along with the gates of Hell (Jahannam) could well be closed. 

In Chapter 2, Revelation 185 from the Quran states:

"The month of Ramadan is that through which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs in the guidance, along with the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever individuals occurs, let him fast the month, and whosoever individuals is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires to suit your needs ease; He desires not hardship for you personally; so you should complete the period, so you should magnify Allah for having guided you, which perhaps you could be thankful."[Quran 2:185]

Thus, based on the Quran, Muhammad first received revelations from the lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, the month of Ramadan is regarded being probably the most sacred month on the Islamic calendar, the recording of which began using the Hijra.