Ramadan, A month of Prayer
Ramadan is a ninth month of the Islamic calendar (Sievert 6). The month of Ramadan is extremely important in the Islamic world because during this month Quran, which is the Holy bible in Islam, was revealed. Quran was sent down to earth from the heaven. It is a book, which is sent down to guide individuals, also known as “Declaration of direction and a mean of salvation” (Melizo 1). Ramadan is a word, which means heat, scorched ground and shortness of rations (Hartov 259). Ramadan lasts for a whole month and during this month Muslims are supposed to fast. Ramadan is a month when Muslims concentrate more on their faith and prayer to God rather than on their everyday lives.
During the Fast of Ramadan strict rules are imposed on Muslims that they have to follow. For instance, when Muslims are fasting they are not allowed to eat or drink anything. They cannot even drink water or chew gum. They are also not supposed to wear lipstick or brush their teeth while fasting, basically they cannot taste anything. Smoking and having sexual relations are also forbidden while fasting. Muslims can eat early in the morning before the sun rises known as “Suhoor” and after eating their meal they perform their first prayer known as fajr. The breaking of the fast is called “Iftar”, which takes place when the sun is down. The “Iftar” is broken with meal and the fourth prayer of the day known as Maghreb. After breaking the fast most Muslims go to visit their families and friends. Also, at night Muslims go to Mosque to read their last prayer of the day known as “Isha” and Tarawih, which is a prayer practiced by most Sunni Muslims. Tarawih is a special nightly prayer when Muslims read the entire section of the Quran. There are thirty sections in the Quran and e ...