[E]gyptians like rest of the Muslims all over the world fast at holy month of Ramadan, it is the time when they all come close to each other and respect each other, it is the time Egypt stay awake at night. During this month, donations, alms giving and charity would be at its highest rates, it is the time for forgiveness and love. It is a wonderful month. First of all, to understand Ramadan, we need to have first a glimpse of the faith of Islam
What is Islam
The Importance of Ramadan
The voice was that of the Angel Gabriel, and he confirmed that Muhammad was selected for an important and challenging mission; he was to call people to monotheism and righteousness. Muslims consider the Qur’an to be God’s speech recorded in the Arabic language, and transmitted to humanity through Muhammad, who is considered the last of the prophets.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, every day. This means not consuming food and drink, including water, during daylight hours. For married adults, it also includes refraining from marital relations during the hours of fasting (i.e. the daylight hours). In the Arabic language, fasting is known as sawm. Muslims arise early in the morning, during Ramadan, to have a pre-dawn breakfast meal, known as suhoor. At the end of the day taking the Iftar meal, which usually includes dates, fresh fruits, appetizers, beverages and dinner, completes the fast. Later in the evening, Muslims attend special nightly tarawih prayers at their local masjid. Each night during Ramadan, approximately 1/30th of the Qur’an is recited in the tarawih prayers, so that the entire scripture is recited in the course of the 29 or 30 days of the month.
Why Muslims Fast
1. It helps one to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate and underprivileged, since each day Muslims feel greater appreciation for what they have as a result of feeling hunger and thirst.
2. It allows one to build a sense of self-control and will power, which can be beneficial throughout life in dealing with temptations and peer-pressure. Through fasting, Muslims learn to control their natural urges such as hunger and thirst, and thus are able to better resist temptations for things that are not necessary, such as drugs or other unhealthy or harmful substances and behaviours.
3. It offers a time for Muslims to “purify” their bodies as well as their souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spirituality and community. Ramadan is a very spiritual time for Muslims, and often they invite each other to one another’s homes to break the fast and pray together. A greater sense of generosity and forgiveness is also characteristic of this time.
As with other duties in Islam, fasting becomes obligatory (i.e. one becomes accountable) after the age of puberty.
Eid EL-Fitr
ISLAM VOCABULARY LIST
Ramadan – The 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
Sawm – Arabic word that means “fasting”.
Suhoor – The pre-dawn breakfast meal eaten before beginning the daily fast.
Iftar – The evening meal, taken after sunset to break the daily fast.
Tarawih – Special prayers offered nightly during Ramadan, in which approximately 1/30th of the Qur’an is recited each night.
Eid al-Fitr – Festival at the end of Ramadan, in celebration of completing the month of fasting. This takes place on the 1st day of the next month, Shawal.
People
Muhammad — A prophet and righteous person, believed by Muslims to be the final messenger of God, whose predecessors are believed to include prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus, among others.
Gabriel — Muslims believe that among God’s many creations are Angels. Gabriel is believed to be one of the most important Angels as he was responsible for transmitting God’s divine revelations to all of the human prophets, ending with Muhammad.
Places
Arafat – A place where pilgrims travel to as part of the Hajj. Pilgrims offer prayers there throughout the day.
Makkah (Mecca) – The sacred city of Muslims, in modern day Saudi Arabia, where the Ka’bah is located.
Mina – A place where pilgrims camp, located on the outskirts of Makkah.
Muzdalifa – A place where pilgrims stay overnight and pray during the Hajj.
Safa and Marwah – Two hills near the Ka’bah.
MISCELLANEOUS
Allah — The Arabic name for God.
“Eid Mubarak” — A greeting used by Muslims during the Eid holidays. It means “Holiday Blessings!”
Makkah (Mecca) — The sacred city of Muslims, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, where the Ka’bah (house of worship built by Abraham) is located.
Masjid — Muslim house of worship, (also known as “mosque.”)
Monotheism — Belief in One God.
Polytheism — Belief in many Gods.
Qur’an (Koran) — The holy book of Muslims, containing God’s revelation to Muhammad.
We hope this helps you to know more about Ramadan and a little glimpse of Islam.