Ramadan: The Fast of Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto Humans , a declaration of direction, and a means of
Salvation".

It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of
Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims
concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their
everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation.

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily
lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the
daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during
fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal
called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary
for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed
the next morning.

According to the Holy Quran:

One may eat and drink at any time during the night "until you can
plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight:
then keep the fast until night"

The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five
things -

the telling of a lie

slander

denouncing someone behind his back

a false oath

greed or covetousness



These are considered offensive at all times, but are most offensive
during the Fast of Ramadan.


During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque)
and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to
the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer
called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is
usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the
entire night in prayer.


On the evening of the either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th day* of
the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It
is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation
of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God
determines the course of the world for the following year.


*(According to Wikipedia: "Laylat al-Qadr is to be found in the last 10
nights of Ramadan. There is no history in the Quran as to when the
specific date is... What directs us to this is the Prophet's :saw:
saying: "Look for it (i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) when there remain nine
nights, when there remains seven nights, or when there remains five
nights (i.e. 21st, 23 rd, 25th, 27th and 29th."))

When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is
celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of
Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray
in congregation and for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to
celebrate the end of the Fast of Ramadan