RAMADAN KAREEM (ESSAY)

 Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. It is also the third pillar of Islam. In Ramadan Muslims do fast to seek Allah's pleasure and to seek forgiveness for their sins. It means to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and not allowing anything to enter into the stomach from the break of dawn till sunset. Fasting was made obligatory for Muslims on 2nd AH. In the month of Ramadan and during fast we should avoid all evil activities and control our tongue and not letting anyone hurt by our words. During fast, we should do as much good as we can. In the month of Ramadan, the Holy Prophet (SAW) never denied any beggar's request. It is stated in the Holy Quran, "O believers! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may attain piety"(2:183)

The Holy month of Ramadan is a great blessings for Muslims as Holy Quran was revealed in this month. Fasting became obligatory at the age of 12. It is obligatory upon every adult, sane and healthy Muslim. Fasting is not only the name of staying hungry but it also means to learn how to show patience. Holy Prophet (SAW) regarded this month as "Month of Patience". It is recommended to eat Sehri before beginning of fast. Intention for fasting is to be made before Azaan-e-Fajar. All the restrictions of fasting are applied on a person from Fajar till Azaan-e-Maghrib. Fasting during the whole month of Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslim adults, both male and female, but it is not obligatory for insane and minor children. The Niyyat (Intention) for keeping Fast is:

And the intention for doing Iftar is:

It is traditional to break Iftar with a date or water immediately after the setting of the sun during the Azaan-e Maghrib. During month of Ramadan at night it is obligatory to pray "Taraweeh Prayer" (Sunnat-e-Mauqada). It consists of 20 Rakaats. It is the night prayer and by performing this our previous sins are forgiven. In this month our minor sins are forgiven through our only one good deed and greater sins are forgiven only by repentance.

During the last 10 days of Ramadan Muslims also perform Aitakaaf. Males perform it in Masjid and females perform this in home at one room. It is not obligatory but if person wants to perform they can. It is of three types Wajib (Compulsory), Sunnat and Desirable. It is done on 20th Ramadan before Iftar or after Maghrib. During Ramadan there comes a blessed night known as Layalatul Qadr (Night of Decree). The blessed night occurs in one of the last 10 odd  nights i.e 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night. Ramadan end with the feast of Eid-ul-Fitar. Basically it is the gift of our 29 or 30 fasts.