The Magnitude of Ramadan

The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of Islamic life. First off, a Muslim must have faith in Allah and believe that there is only one Allah and Muhammad is His messenger. Next, a Muslim has the duty to pray five times each day, which is considered to be a direct link between him and Allah. Third, a Muslim must distribute alms and help the needy. Fourth, a Muslim is responsible to keep the Fast of Ramadan. Lastly, a Muslim is obligated to make a pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime. Most non- Islamic people do not know why these pillars are so important to the Islamic religion. One of the most questioned, is the fourth pillar, since fasting symbolizes such different things in all religions. In Judaism and Christianity fasting is related to mourning, grief, sadness, and disastrous times. In Islam, on the other hand, fasting brings happiness and is welcomed eagerly every year with much excitement. Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is when all Muslims must fast. To fast a Muslim should be sane, have reached puberty, healthy, and not instate of travel. Women should not fast when they are not instate of purity and clean from menstruation/ post child bleeding. During this month all Islamic rules are strictly enforced . The month of Ramadan allows all Muslims to gain self discipline, concentrate on things that are most important in life, worship Allah and become closer to Him, have a great change in their diet, and most importantly, gain mindfulness. On the contrary of other religions, Muslims become saddened when their

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time of fasting departs.

Self- discipline is practiced in various ways in all cultures. For example, some people practice the art of yoga, while others believe karate can help them. In Islam,

Ramadan is one of the major keys to self discipline. The month allows a Muslim to become extremely organized in his everyday routines. Ramadan gives a defined schedule for everyday. A time to eat and to pray is set and must be followed strictly throughout the whole month. "One may eat and drink at any time during the night until he can plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight" (Quran). During Ramadan a Muslim is not permitted to smoke, drink alcohol, or have any sexual relations. This also allows self discipline to be enforced during the month. "Self discipline is the key to success, which is why it is required throughout Ramadan" (Razi).

During the Fast of Ramadan a Muslim is supposed to stay focused on things that are most important in life and "...spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives" (Zahid). It is very significant that a Muslim spends a lot time with his family and friends, throughout this month, and realizes what is truly important in his life. Many more Muslims attend Mosques during Ramadan because they believe that Allah will help them understand the essentials of life.

Throughout Ramadan all Muslims are strictly obligated to pray five times each day and, in addition, attend Mosque and have a nightly prayer, called Taraween, which is two to three times as long as the usual daily prayers. Along with praying, Muslims celebrate significant days in the month. "On the evening of the 27th day of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power)" (Zahid). This night is

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celebrated because it is believed by all Muslims that it was the night that Muhammad first received the revelation of the Quran and the night when Allah determines the future of the world for the next year. By celebrating nights like this along with praying at home and in

a Mosque, a Muslim becomes much closer to Allah and in return gets to know their own identity much better. Reading out of the Quran and worshipping Allah is one of the most important things to do during the Fast of Ramadan.

Along with gaining self discipline, concentrating on the important aspects of life, and worshipping and becoming closer to Allah, Ramadan also brings a very large change in a Muslims diet. During this month Muslims can no longer eat and drink whenever they desire. A strict restraint is put on their daily diet. They must wake up at dawn and have their final meal before their day of fasting. This meal is known as the Sahar, which means dawn. They are not allowed to eat or drink absolutely anything during the daylight hours, which is usually about twelve hours. At dusk they are allowed to end their fasting with a meal known as the Iftar. In the evening it is common for Muslims to go out and visit their