Indian Festivals >> Ramzan (Ramadhan)

The holy month of Ramzan is very auspicious to the Muslims the world over. It is celebrated the next day after the crescent (Idd ka chand) for the 10th lunar month of the Islamic calendar is sighted. The Muslims are ordained to observe fast for 30 days (sometimes 29 days, owing to the early sighting of the crescent) starting with the sighting of the new moon and end it after seeing the new moon the next month. this year, the Idd would fall either on 8th or 9th of January.

It is believed that the holy Quran, came into existence during this month. Prophet Mohammad who compiled this was an illiterate person. But he was chosen by God to be His messenger. Whenever any problem arose, He would get "Vahi" (inspiration from God). He would become red and would speak out spontaneously. All these utterings were jotted down by His disciples and during this month they were compiled in the form of the holy Quran. It is a message from God to the mankind.

The fast is mandatory for all adult Muslim men and women, except the insane, infirm, sick or travelling and pregnant or feeding mothers.

They can complete the prescribed number of fasting days by choosing to fast on some other days. Those who cannot fast, except with great hardship, should arrange to feed atleast one needy person in lieu of the days one missed out on fasting. Ramzaan is considered holy because Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad during this month.

The five basic tenets of Islam are -
1. There is no God but Allah and Prophet Muhammad is His messenger.
2. Offering of five daily prayers.
3. Fasting during Ramzaan.
4. Paying Zakat, a compulsory annual tax of 2.5 per cent on savings and assets that is distributed among the poor.
5. The Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca for those who can afford it financially and physically.

Apart from bringing the Muslims face to face with the hard realities of life like the pangs of hunger, thirst and deprivation, Ramzaan is an annual training period inculcating discipline and declaration of subservience to the laws of God, enumerated in the holy Quran. A Muslim is told to give Sadaqa (charity) and Fitra (alms given in Ramzan) to the poor before going to say the Idd prayers and recite Quran intensively during the holy month.

The last 10 days of Ramzaan are more important as the faithful watch for Lailathul Qadr (the Night of Power) during which the revelation of the book to the Prophet was completed. In a way it is considered the climax of Ramzaan and Muslims keep awake all night praying or listening to sermons by Ulema or the high priest.

Fasting is practised by followers of all religions in one form or other. Fasting develops personality and nourishes one's mental faculties. It enables one to understand the privations of hunger and thirst and be kind to the poor and the needy. It is helpful to an individual as a health care ritual. The establishment of an obedient and disciplined society is also fulfilled when people observe Rozah (fast) repeatedly every year. Through fasting people can have control over themselves and can develop courage and endurance to bear hardships.