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Ramzan, the ninth Islamic month of fasting is the most important month in the Muslim Calendar. It is an important Islamic festival celebrated on a wide scale in India and around the world. It is a period of fasting for the Muslims and is regarded as one of the most holy month in the Islamic year. Fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset. On the occasion of Ramzan, Muslims ask for the forgiveness of past sins, seek future guidance and purify themselves of all the evil deeds. The Ramzan month is divided into three parts: Rahmah (God’s mercy), Maghfirah (God’s forgiveness) and Najah (Salvation). It is a Muslim festival and is celebrated with great fervor in India.
It is on the month of Ramzan that the holy book of the Muslims ‘Quran’ was sent down. Thus, the holy month gives ample scope to the Muslims to reform themselves and attain spiritual salvation. According to the declaration of Prophet Muhammad ‘Fasting is not only abstinence from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene acts’. The word Ramzan is derived from the Arabic word ‘ramida’, which implies intense heat and dryness.
In the morning people bathe, clad themselves in new attire and apply perfume. Men usually wear white clothes as it symbolizes purity. On this day, it is a common practice amongst the Muslim to visit the Masjid and spend hours praying and reading the holy book ‘Quran’. Special prayers are offered at the various Mosques. People celebrate the festival in a traditional manner. Ramzan is predominantly a festival of fasting, feasting and rejoicing. As the custom demands, Muslims get up before dawn and eat ‘Sahur’ after that, they perform the ‘Sobh’ prayer. They stop eating before the prayer session starts. At sunset Muslims break their fast with a meal called Iftar. They continue to eat and drink until the sun rises the next morning. In addition to fasting, Muslims are required to read the entire Quran. They also pay respect to their ancestors during Ramzan.
Friends and relatives get together, exchange greetings and fest together on this special occasion. They greet each other with the words like ‘Id Mubarak’ and shower love and affection on each other.
Alms are offered to the poor and needy. People also indulge in shopping. Women prepare various sweets at home and vermicelli Kheer is one of the most popular dishes that are prepared on this occasion.
Last Updated On: 2011/07/04
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