Friday, 20 July 2012

Facts about Ramadan

1.       Ramadan – This word literally means “One that Burns” According to scholars, in this month the Sins are burnt away… therefore it is called Ramadan.
2.       Ramadan is the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar, which is lunar and based on the phases of the moon. The lunar calendar falls short of the solar calendar by 11 days. As a result, Ramadan doesn't start on the same date each year and instead passes through all the seasons.

3.       The doors of heaven are opened in this month and the doors of hell are closed. Devils are chained in this month. Mercy is poured down to Earth during Ramadan.

4.       The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation"

5.       The great battle of Badr between the Muslims and the unbelievers took place during Ramadan in the second year of the Hijrah.

6.       The Muslims re-entered Makkah victorious during Ramadan in the eighth year of the Hijrah. After this conquest people began to enter the fold of Islam in multitudes, and Makkah became free of polytheism and evil.

7.       At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar.

8.       In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers.

9.       Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2012 occurs on Aug. 19. At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

10.   When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking).

11.   On the evening of the 27th day of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year.

12.   Ramadan contains Laylatul-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months.

13.   Islam is the world's second largest religion, after Christianity, with more than 1 billion followers.

No comments:

Post a Comment