Ramadan(Ramzan)- Purpose and History

By Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Over one million Muslims all over the world are excited as Ramadan- also called as Ramzan- in countries like India- has started. It is indeed a special month for believers and they await its arrival to observe fasts to fine tune their lives with spirituality, modesty and patience. They treat the holy month as a time for inner reflection, devotion to Allah (God) and self-control. Ramadan is a religious obligation and offers an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by going without and to grow stronger by enduring weakness. Apart from fasting, the month is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Quran, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds.
Ramadan was the name of the ninth month in Arabian culture long before the advent of Islam. The dates of Ramadan vary and move forward about ten days each year as its commencement depends upon sighting of the moon. The word Ramadan is derived from an Arabicroot rmd, as in words like "ramida" or "ar-ramad" denoting intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of rations. Al Masudi in his work Muruj Al-Thaheb also claims that Ramadan received its name because of the warm weather during that month. For fasting, the Holy Quran proclaims �fasting has been written down as obligatory upon you, as it was upon those before you". According to the earliest hadith(hadees0, �before you� in the proclamation refers to the Jewish practice of fasting on yom kipur. The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad started Ramadan for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah, and to offer more prayers than usual. Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) also falls during the holy month. It commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Qur'an and is considered the most holy night of the year. In the Quran Allah declares about   the night of power "We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!... This until the rise of Morn!" (Qur'an - Surah 97 - Al Qadr).
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