Ramadan is the 9th month in Islamic calendar / Hijri Calendar. The length of the Month varies between 29 and 30 days depending on the sighting of the Shawwal Moon which leads to the much awaited Islamic festival of Eid ul Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal. Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and during this holy month, Al-Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.). The word ‘Ramadan’ comes from the Arabic world ‘Ramad / Ramida’ which means scorching heat or drought. So the word Ramadan means abstinence from eating and/or drinking anything from dawn till dusk.
Ramadan 2022 Date: Also referred to as Ramazan or Ramzan, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and engaging in humanitarian activities.
This year, the first moon sighting of the holy month is expected to be on April 2 (Saturday) and the first day of fasting, which is determined by the sighting of the new moon, will then be on April 3 (Sunday). The last fast will be on May 1 (expected) as it lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. During the holy month, observing Muslims fast from pre-dawn to night. The pre-dawn meal is referred to as ‘sehri’ and the meal that is had after the fast is broken is called ‘iftar’. This annual observance is considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam.Muslims believe that Ramandan is the month when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, around 1,400 years ago, on ‘Laylat al-Qadr’, one of the five odd-numbered nights that fall on the last ten days of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is an exercise in self-restraint and self-discipline. It is observed to achieve greater ‘taqwa’ or consciousness of God, and to physically and spiritually detoxify by getting rid of impulses and vices.
During this month, ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ and ‘Ramadan Kareem’ are the most common greetings exchanged, wishing the person a blessed and generous month, respectively.
This year will also see the return of pilgrims for the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina as Saudi Arabia lifted most travel restrictions ahead of Ramadan.
The end of Ramadan leads to Eid-al-Fitr, which starts once the date of sighting the new moon is confirmed.
Millions of Muslims across the world observe fast from dawn till dusk during the whole month of Ramadan as this is the most sacred month for the whole Muslim Ummah.
Even though fasting in Ramadan is obligatory upon every able Muslim, Allah has pardoned and excused certain people from fasting if they are unable to fast during Ramadan due to certain legitimate reasons. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185), Allah Has clearly mentioned that sick people and travelers are exempted from fasting during Ramadan. In addition to that, in the light of this Ayah and according to many scholars, following people are also exempt from fasting:
The month of Ramadan is an opportunity given by the Gracious Creator for His servants to come close to Him, seek forgiveness for their sins, and fulfill their religious duties.
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