One night better than a thousand months
The practice of fasting during Ramadan is well
known, whether one follows it or not. Between prayers, meditative reading of
the Qur'an, invocations and donations, Ramadan is an opportunity for practicing
Muslims to perform many actions.
Who should fast?
During Ramadan, one of the pillars of Islam, believers are required to abstain from drinking, eating, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn - as soon as one can "distinguish a white thread from a black one", according to the Koran - until sunset.
Fasting is prescribed for pubescent Muslims;
however, exemptions are provided for travelers, the sick, the elderly, pregnant
women and women who have recently given birth. People who are prevented from
fasting or who are exempted from fasting may compensate for it (fasting at a
later date, donations to the needy, etc.).
When to fast?
The beginning of the month of Ramadan is slowly
approaching. Generally, it is the Council of Theologians in one's country that
must meet to determine the exact date of commencement. Its date (the 9th month
of the Hegira calendar) changes every year due to the Muslim (or Hegira) lunar
calendar, which differs from the Gregorian administrative calendar.
An exemplary attitude
Even a tiny sip of water or a puff of smoke is enough to invalidate the fast. At night, family and friends gather and feast in a festive atmosphere.
The fasting during Ramadan is aimed at bringing the faithful closer to God and reminding them of the suffering of the poor. Muslims are expected to strictly observe daily prayers and engage in heightened religious contemplation. Additionally, they are urged to refrain from gossip, fighting, or cursing during the holy month.
A night "better than 1000 months”
Laylat al-Qadr or the "Night of Destiny"
marks a considerable time, as it commemorates, for followers of Islam, the
night when the Prophet Mohammad (ṣallā l-lāhu `alay-hi wa-sallam) received the revelation of
the Qur'an from the Archangel Gabriel in the summer of 610. Traditionally, the program
includes prayers and a reading of the Qur'an throughout the night. For Muslims,
it is "the holiest night of the year", "worth more than a
thousand months".
It is the night of the revelation of the Qur'an and
is a 'blessed' night, symbolizing the Prophet Mohammad's (ṣallā l-lāhu `alay-hi wa-sallam) nightly journey to the
al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Tradition says that he experienced the ascension
there and met several prophets in each heaven. According to Hadith No. 239 of
the Muslim, it was there that God ordered the Prophet to prescribe prayer for
all Muslims.
What to do on the Night of Destiny?
On the Night of Destiny, Muslims seek to practice
their faith through prayer, meditation on the Qur'an, recitation of invocations
and donations. It is an opportunity for them to perform many acts of worship.
While the Imams leading the Tarawih prayer often attempt to complete the
recitation of the Qur'an in its entirety, followed by an invocation of divine
grace for the effort made by Muslims at the end of their fast, the faithful
will be asked to fulfil their canonical duty, believing Muslims must pay "Zakat
al-Fitr" before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, which is an obligatory almsgiving.
The end .... well celebrated
People of the Islamic faith look forward to the end
of Ramadan and the subsequent Eid al-Fitr festivities, which are a momentous
occasion for them.
Waterloo,
20-MAR-2023 @18:45 pm, BELGIUM
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