Ramadhan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. During this time, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset, as a means of purifying the body and soul. It is a time of personal discipline, increased devotion, and heightened spirituality.
Ramadhan is marked by the belief that it was during this month that the first verses of the Islamic scripture, the Quran, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is considered a time of great significance and blessings, when Muslims strive to strengthen their faith, seek forgiveness, and engage in acts of charity and kindness.
The observance of Ramadhan entails various religious practices, including Taraweeh prayers, which are performed in congregation throughout the month in mosques. Muslims also engage in intense recitation and study of the Quran, nightly prayers called Tahajjud, and the special practice of Itikaf, where devout individuals seclude themselves in a mosque for the last ten days of Ramadhan to engage in worship and spiritual contemplation.
Ramadhan is not only a time of personal reflection but also a time of communal solidarity and celebration. At the end of the month, Muslims come together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a festive occasion that marks the breaking of the fast. It is a time of joy, gratitude, and sharing, where families and friends gather, exchange gifts, and partake in special meals and prayers. May it be noted that the dates of Ramadhan may vary each year, based on the sighting of the moon and the Islamic lunar calendar.
