Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and is observed by Muslims globally. It is a month of Fasting to honor the first revelation of Quran on Muhammad (PBUH). It is a month of worship, spirituality and increased and improved dedication. Ramadan teaches Muslims how to exercise self-discipline and self-possession. It also strengthens our knowledge in Quran and makes us more philanthropic.
The Holy month of Ramadan is all about fasting and following Allah’s commands. There are countless opportunities to take advantage of during this month and Muslims seek repentance for past sins as well as becoming more pious. Suhoor and Iftar are two elements of Ramadan that have great significance to Muslims. Let us have a look at the significance of them.
Suhoor
The Suhoor is a vital part of fasting. Muslims eat a healthy meal in Suhoor in order to remain in good health for the rest of the day during the fast. The right way to eat a meal during Suhoor is to eat in moderation. Many people skip Suhoor however, this is not favoured by Allah because those who skip Suhoor find it difficult to complete their fast and end up breaking it. Suhoor is the right time to consume a meal and fill yourself adequately so that you can fast throughout the day.
Iftar
Performing Iftar is an act that brings blessings for Muslims. Some people make arrangements for Iftar for others such as in a mosque. This is a great act of kindness and one that is greatly favoured by Allah. It is said that Allah will open the gates of forgiveness for those who help fast observers in acquiring adequate Iftar to break their fast at this time. The one who gives a fast observer water to drink at the time of Iftar will be given a drink from Allah’s fountain where they will never again feel thirsty.
Ramadan teaches us a great number of things; patience, piety and discipline are just a few to name. Muslims should strive to take advantage of the opportunity Ramadan brings. This Ramadan, Muslims all around the world will be fasting, performing Aitekaaf and Taravihs and giving Zakat. Everyone will be keen on obtaining the blessings of the night of Lailat-ul-Qadr, the Night of Power.
Fasting
One of the benefits of fasting is that it is an opportunity for you to renew your identity with the Ummah. Contrary to what many people think, Ramadan is not an individual experience but is about the community. The best thing about fasting is that the Muslims fast together, allowing us to identify with one another in our obedience to Allah. This strengthens us as Muslims.
As we welcome Ramadan, let’s keep the entire Muslim Ummah in our thoughts. There are many individuals in some parts of the world who will be fasting under the open skies with little personal belongings. So, be sure to donate generously to their cause as you make your fast.
Prayers
There are three types of prayers related to Ramadan which Muslim Ummah offers during the whole month to make certain that the true essence of fast is kept and worshipping of Allah increases. Following are the three types of prayers that Muslims should offer during the Holy month of Ramadan.
Obligatory Prayers:
It is understood that the first type of prayers that Muslims observe with pious spirit and enthusiasm throughout the month of Ramadan is the obligatory prayers. Offering prayers five times a day is compulsory for a Muslim, hence Ramadan or no Ramadan a Muslim is supposed to offer five times a day but the joy and piece that a person receives during the month of Ramadan increases because of the sanctity of this month.
Taraweeh:
The other important prayer that Muslims offers during the Holy month of Ramadan is Taraweeh Prayer. It is an extra prayer which Muslims offers specially in this month. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said regarding the Taraweeh that: “Whoever prays during the nights of Ramadan (Taraweeh) with a firm belief and hoping for reward, all of his previous sins would be forgiven.”
These two Hadiths of Muhammad (PBUH) are more than enough to emphasize on the significance of Taraweeh in Ramadan. This prayer is also the way of seeking forgiveness for the previous sins and brings additional reward to a Muslim.
Nawafil:
It is third prayer which Muslims can perform in Ramadan. These are the additional prayers which Muslims can offer at any time of the day or they can also perform it separately. Offering Nawafil in the month of Ramadan is equal to offering Farz Namaz.
In addition to Fasting, the focus of the Muslims should be on offering maximum prayers so that one can get more and more reward in this Holy month. Therefore, Prayers need to be offered with fasting during Ramadan as this is the only mean to seek forgiveness from Allah and achieve your desired objectives.
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