Muslims around the world are marking the start of holy month of Ramadan after sighting of the moon.
Kenyan Kadhi, Sheikh Ahmad Mundhar announced the sighting of the news moon in east and central African countries marking the beginning of the 29 or 30 days of refraining from eating and drinking from dawn to dust to integrating the fourth pillar of the Muslim faithful.
The sighting of the new moon marks the beginning of the Muslim lunar month that varies between 29 and 30 days.
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Some countries use astronomical calculations and observatories, while others rely on the naked eye alone, leading sometimes to different starting times in the Middle East.
Muslims believe Ramadhan is the month in which the first verses of the Quran (Islamic Holy Book) were revealed to the prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago.
Muslims from the countries in Saudi Arabia, Misri, emirates, Qatar and Yemen are among those who commence the holy month of Monday
Each day for the month of Ramadhan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from sunrise to sunset to focus on spirituality, good deeds and charity.
Significance of Ramadhan
It is believed that the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadhan which has been referred to as the “best of times”.
You can also read, Muslims urged to mark Ramadhan peacefully.
The first revelation was sent down on Laylat al-Qadr (The night of Power) which is one of the five odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan.
According to Hadith, all Holy Scriptures were sent down during Ramadhan.
The tablets of Ibrahim, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Quran were sent down on 1st, 6th, 12th, 13th and 14th of the month of Ramadhan respectively.
The main objective of fasting is to achieve piety and righteousness.
This implies becoming conscious of our Creator, increasing our awareness of His Majesty, exalting and glorifying His names and attributes, appreciating His greatness, recalling His blessings upon us, and being grateful and thankful for His guidance.
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so you may remain conscious of God” (al-Qur’an, 2 : 183).
During Ramadan while individuals abstain from food and drink during day light hours, they get together over food with families and friends in the evenings.
The meal with which the fast is broken is called iftar.
Usually the meal is simple designed to provide nourishment, but may sometimes be sumptuous when there is a large get-together of family and friends.
Abstaining from food has great ramification on the person observing the fast, physical as well as spiritual.
It is an exercise for the discipline and control of self.
One learns how to restrain one’s urges and desires. Fasting frees the person from the bondage of lusts and desires.
Abstaining from intakes also reminds us of the less fortunate ones, the poor and the destitute. Fasting gives us a general sense of how they feel.
It boosts the morale of the poor by knowing that even kings have to go hungry for a while.
Fasting makes the rich realize and understand what the poor goes through day after day.
Fasting also purifies one’s heart and tongue. One is urged to control himself and learn how to abstain from vain talk, lying, and cheating.
Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint.
By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God.
Ramadhan Mubarak and Saum Makbul to all Muslims!