A Month of Blessings, Celebrations, and Ultimate Happiness: Ramzan-ul-Mubarak

When a 40-year-old merchant received his first revelation from God in the caves of Mecca during a specific month, both man and the month became agents of a beautiful divine intention. The man chosen by the God was Muhammad Mustafa and the month was Ramzan (Ramadan).

Ramzan-ul-Kareem celebrates the revelation of Holy Quran, a collection of the verses reveled on the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa, beginning from the month of Ramzan on last odd nights, possibly the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. I'll explain the last 'Ashr' (week) nights but let me first tell you about the practices of Ramzan.

The beginning of Ramzan, just like the other Islamic months, is determined by the sighting of full moon. Fasting begins right after the sunrise and ends at the sunset. Muslims wake up early in the morning to allow time to eat until the very first ray of light shines in the sky, (thus practicing Sehri) which is exactly the time for the Fajr (morning) prayer. Throughout the day, morning until evening, Muslims eat and drink nothing. They then pray, recite the Holy Quran and are allowed to do their routine works; jobs, and study etc. then, following a chain of prayers; Zuhr (afternoon), Asar ( before sunset), and at the time of Maghrib (sunset), Muslims open the celebration by fasting and praying right after having Iftari (fast opening meal, essentially consisting of dates, the soul food of Islam among other items).

The purpose is not to starve but to clean the inner self and undergo a spiritual training for which one devote one's self towards self-control, love, random kindness, serving mankind to gain salvation and getting closeness with God. The actual message of Ramzan is helping the poor or less fortunate financially by paying Zakaat (charity). The fasting is also a scientifically proven remedy for many of the stomach, lung and heart diseases and eating disorders in particular.

Every Muslim is entitled to fast with the exception of cases of extreme illness or disorders. In that case such a person should provide a needy person with iftari or the equivalent cost of it. Travelers are temporarily exempted but they have to make up those days as soon as their traveling ends. Pregnant and nursing women are also exempted. Children of at least 10 years of age are entitled to fast. In many countries, including Pakistan, a child's first fast is celebrated by inviting relatives and friends to open fast together. Iftar parties are also a part of the Muslim culture.In addition to the five usual prayers, Muslims pray an optional prayer named 'Tarawih' (in which the whole Holy Quran  01/30 is recited) after Isha (night) prayers. The tarawih can either be completed in the first half of Ramzan or regularly until the 29th of Ramzan.

The last Ashr- sacred nights of 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th are the nights of ratjaaga (awakening the whole night for praying and reciting the Holy Quran).  The idea is to find the one night of salvation- Laylat al-Qadr, the night of first revelation of Holy Quran to the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa by the angel Gabriel. In Qur'an 97, 1-5, God addresses the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa  as:In the name of God, the Benevolent, the Merciful.1 Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination.2 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!3 The Night of Power has more blessings than a thousand months.4 The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.5 (The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn. -Surah Qadr -Paara Amma (30)Translation reference: www.wikipedia.orgThe above verses classify the night of Laylat al-Qadar as better than a thousand months. Some Muslims practice I'tikaf (staying at mosque for the last ten nights to fast, pray and recite Holy Quran and nothing else as a part of the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa's Sunnah).

Then, the night of 29th or 30th, the start of the next month of Shawwal, thus the festive of Eid-ul-Fitr begins either with the sighting of full moon on above mentioned nights or at 1st of Shawwal. In many countries, including Pakistan, the night of the Eid's moon sighting is called Chand Raat (night of the moon in Urdu) which is actually a night of shopping for Eid. Eid is a three day festival in which Muslims celebrate the breaking of fast. Muslims put on new clothes and pray fajr with a specific Eid prayer, followed by khutba (sermon) and duaa (begging God for forgiveness) and then they have to pay Fitra (charity) to the poor and needy. People give each other gifts, greeting cards or money (Eidi) as a form of gratitude and goodwill. Desserts and sweets are also prepared and distributed. The Eid days, along with the last ten nights of Ramzan are holidays in the Muslim countries.

It is hard to for us Muslims to wait for the one month of Ramzan a whole year to earn the special blessings of it by worshiping God, helping mankind and celebrating the true spirit of Islam.