subject: Ramadan, Islams Holy Month [print this page] Ramadan, Islams holy month, occurs as the Islamic calendars ninth month. Its significance is due to the fact that the Quran is said to have been first revealed in this month. Lailut ul Qadr is the name given to the specific night on which the Prophet Muhammad received the revelation, and according to Muslim tradition to pray on this night is more meritorious than many months of veneration. No-one actually knows on which night this momentous event occurred, but it is thought to be one of Ramadans last ten nights.
Due to this reason Ramadan is frequently known as the month of the Quran and Muslims try to peruse as much as possible of the Quran during this period. Many mosques during the Taraweeh prayers will recite a portion of the Muslim holy book each night of Ramadan.
It is also said that during this month the portals of heaven are released, and hells gates are sealed, with the devils locked up in chains. Therefore Muslims believe it is easy to do good acts; as the devils are locked up, there is no temptation from Satan, and therefore Muslims can only do evil that arises from within their own minds.
Since the Ramadan month has been blessed by Allah, Muslims believe that good deeds will bring a greater reward than at other times of the year. Virtually all Muslims attempt to renounce bad habits in the period of Ramadan and many enhance their faith by reading the Quran and praying more.
As is well known it is compulsory for every healthy Muslim to fast from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan, and abstain from eating, drinking and sexual activity. One of the purposes of the Ramadan period is to inculcate self-discipline in every aspect of life, including food, sex, sleeping and the management of time.
The long nighttime prayers held during this time means that the mosques are crowded with the faithful, creating firm links amongst the Muslim society. Some of the devout go into isolation for the duration of the final ten days of the holy month so as to attain the Lailat ul Qadr by reading the Quran and praying, with some living in the place of worship in this period for veneration and serious reflection. Ramadan is also a time for giving alms and supporting the poor.
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