What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. In this month Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to dusk. Ramadan begins on the actual sighting of the new moon. For Muslims, it is the best of all months.

Every year, ShaItan leaves when Ramadan arrives. “Whoever among you recites one verse of the Holy Qur’an will receive the blessing of one who recites the entire Holy Qur’an in another month. O people! The gates of heaven in this month are kept open; so, pray Allah your Lord not to close them against you, and the gates of the fire are kept closed; so, pray Allah your Lord not to open them for you; and the devils are kept chained.”

What does it mean by fasting during Ramadan? In Ramadan, Muslims abstain food, drink, smoking and other pleasures from dawn to dusk. The fast is performed to obey God’s command with a goal to experience what the poor and hungry feel, and to develop the habit of generosity.

People who cannot fast  An elderly person who cannot fast at all or it causes great difficulty for him/her. There is no Qaza for them at all. But they have to pay Fidya.  A pregnant or a nursing woman if fasting would harm her or the child. The woman has to do Qaza; and also pay Fidya.  If a traveler stays for Ten days continuously in one city, then he can fast; but if he is going to stay in one city for less then Ten days, then he cannot fast – he will have to make up the days he missed after the month of Ramadan.  A sick person whose medical condition does not allow him/her to stay thirsty. If this person recovers from the medical problem, then it is Wajib for him/ her to do Qaza.

 Read Quran  Donate to charity  Avoid sins  Help others

 The most important event is the celebration of Laylatul Qadr.  Laylatul Qadr, “the Night of Power & Grandeur” marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the Qur’an from Allah(SWT), through the angel Gabriel.  Muslims believe Laylatul Qadr is one of the last odd numbered nights of Ramadan.