THE PURPOSE OF RAMADAN

                                           PURPOSE OF RAMADAN

This month will be a true trial of one’s character, testing each individual on any bad habits that they may have and allowing them to purify themselves of these behaviors. Ramadan serves as a tool for Muslims to practice for increasing their patience and self-control. It is also a humbling reminder of those who are living in hunger and poverty on a daily basis, and allows for one to truly count their blessings and give thanks from within as well as with their actions.

The month of Ramadan serves a dual purpose that goes hand in hand: it helps Muslims purify themselves and build upon their character, as well as increase in their spirituality. As each individual detaches themselves from worldly desires such as food, drink and sex, they allow themselves to become closer to God. During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to spend their free time in acts of worship such as prayer, Qur’an recitation, and attendance of the nightly prayers at the mosque during Ramadan known as “Tarawih.”

Tarawih comes from the Arabic word “Raha,” which means to rest and relax. Due to the lengthiness of these prayers, it became customary to take short breaks in between them, which resulted in the name Tarawih. During the Tarawih prayers, sections, known as “Juza‘” of the Qur’an are recited each night of Ramadan, and by the end of the month, all 30 “Ajiza” that the Qur’an is comprised of are completed. Men, women and children are all encouraged to attend these voluntary prayers.

Charity is another one of the five pillars of Islam and is known as “Zakah” which means “purification”. Muslims who have the means are required to give obligatory charity to the poor during Ramadan, known as “Zakat al-Fitr.” The word “Fitr” means to break one’s fast, therefore the purpose of this charity is to provide food for those who are in need and it must be given before the Eid prayer which concludes the month of Ramadan. Furthermore, Zakat al-Fitr is meant to serve as a method of building relationships among the people of society, bringing together the rich and poor by personally delivering the charity to those in need.

During Ramadan, the one night in particular that is most significant is “Laylat al-Qadr,” known as “the Night of Power.” This night is when the first revelation of the Qur’an was sent down to Prophet Muhammad. Laylat al-Qadr is believed to have taken place on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan. During these 10 days, many mosques hold “Qiyams,” which translates to “standing,” where Muslims gather and spend the entire night in prayer and worship. The Quran states that Laylat al-Qadr is “better than a thousand months” of worship.

In the Qur’an, God says:

Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Laylat al-Qadr. And what can make you know what the Laylat al-Qadr is? The Laylat al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. (Al-Qadr 97:1-5)

Ramadan is typically 29-30 days long, depending on the sighting of the moon. It ends with “`Eid al-Fitr,” meaning “the celebration of breaking fast.” During this holiday Muslims will attend the Eid prayer in the morning then spend the rest of their day with family and friends in celebration, exchanging gifts and enjoying food and drink. With the ending of Ramadan, Muslims will once again begin their regular routine of eating, drinking and intimacy; however, it is incumbent upon each individual to remember the purpose of this holy month and carry with them the lessons that they learned.