The Month of Ramadan, Importance, History And Traditions

The month of Ramadan is the month of worship, and in it the deeds are multiplied by the reward, as muslims compete in providing the best deeds and serving each other this is in order to reach the satisfaction of the Most Gracious, especially as we said that this holy month in which the rewards and good deeds multiply.

As The month of Ramadan is the ninth month among the Hijri months, followed by Shawwal and Shaban comes before it, the totality of its days being either twenty-nine days or thirty days, and this depends on the sighting of the crescent, in which Tarawih prayers and Qiyaam are performed, and in which Muslims love to pay zakat, a month full of blessings and good things, so let us go to present these works The kind that a Muslim must do in this holy month.

What is the month of Ramadan?

The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the order of the lunar Hijri months, and it comes after the month of Sha’ban, followed by the month of Shawwal. It is a special month for Muslims, and it was mentioned in the Holy Qur’an in the words of the Almighty: شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ

There are also many opinions of scholars regarding the reason for calling it that, so we explain that as follows: 

• The first saying: Ramadan was called that; Because when the Arabs transferred the names of the months from the ancient language, they took into account the nature of its time, so Ramadan fell in the intense heat, so it was named accordingly.

• The second saying: It is called that because it burns sins, as it blinks them, leaving nothing of them. 

• The third: they said that there is no meaning to this. 

Moreover, Muslims call Ramadan several names, including the month of fasting, the month of Qiyam, the month of liberation from hellfire, the month of mercy, the month of patience, the month of benevolence, the month of good deeds, the month of generosity, the month of forgiveness, the month of consolation, and the month of answering prayers.

Recommended reading: Why was the Holy Quran revealed in Ramadan?

History of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan begins when announcing the beginning of the new lunar month, and that is either when the sighting of the crescent is confirmed on the 29th day of Sha’ban And accordingly, the next day will be the first day of Ramadan, or if its sighting is not proven, the next day (day 30) is the completion of the month of Sha’ban, and after it will be The first day of Ramadan.

Moreover, the duration of the month is 29-30 days, also ends with the confirmation of seeing the crescent, and at the end of The month of Ramadan, as Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

The month of Ramadan has a special place in the heritage and history of Muslims. In it, the Qur’an began to descend from the Preserved Tablet to the lowest heaven, and that was on Liylat Al-Qadir, where Gabriel descended upon the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. And he said, “اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ” This was the first verse that was revealed from the Qur’an, and the Qur’an was revealed from “Al- Louh Al Mahfouz” in Laylat al-Qadr in one sentence. and it was placed in the House of Glory in the heavens of the world in The month of Ramadan, then Gabriel used to bring it down in parts in terms of commands, prohibitions, and reasons, and that was in three twenty years.

Importance of Ramadan in Islamic culture

Fasting is one of the great pillars of Islam that cannot be completed without it, and a lot of evidence has been received that shows the virtue of fasting. As the amount of reward varies among those who fast, and this difference depends on the actions of the Muslim during fasting, the extent of his commitment to Islamic morals, or his lack of commitment to them, and the amount of devotion in his heart to Allah Almighty in his fasting. 

The Prophet – upon him be peace and blessings – was keen to perform worship in it, so Ibn Al-Qayyim said in the description of his worship – upon him be blessings and peace. In Ramadan, he was specific to the worship of Allah – the Almighty – in Ramadan in a way that is not similar to it other months of the year. 

So Muslims worship Allah on the day and night, and the Prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – told about the virtue of entering Ramadan in many hadiths.

How Ramadan is celebrated?

Ramadan is also associated in Islamic countries with many religious rituals such as the Tarawih prayer and i’tikaf in the last ten days, as well as many customs and traditions.

Such as inviting others to Iftar and setting up tables for iftar which are called “ma’daat Rahman”, and there are many heritage aspects that are associated with this month such as lanterns, decorations, and Ramadan cannon.

Recommended reading: Discover the Rich Traditions of Ramadan in the Arabic Culture

Best practices during Ramadan

There are many acts of worship and actions that you can do in Ramadan, such as:

1. Dua and dhikr of Allah Almighty, where the dhikr of Allah is one of the greatest acts of worship by which a servant draws closer to Allah Almighty, especially in The month of Ramadan; 

Because it is intended to legislate acts of worship; Worship and good deeds are all legislated; In order to establish the remembrance of Allah Almighty, where Allah the Almighty, said:

 (فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي)

1. Prayer is one of the best actions that a Muslim servant can draw close to Allah in The month of Ramadan. It is the second pillar of Islam, and it is the pillar of Islam. The Prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – said:  (رأسُ الأمرِ الإسلامُ، وعمودُه الصلاةُ)

And the hadiths that indicate the virtue and importance of prayer are not limited to mentioning the obligations; The Prophet – may blessings and peace be upon him – stated that whoever keeps twelve rak’ahs of supererogatory prayers every day will have a home in Paradise.

2. Reading the Holy Qur’an The Prophet – upon him be peace and blessings be upon him – stated that reading one letter from the Qur’an is equivalent to ten good deeds. 

3. Zakat: Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam, and a Muslim has to pay his zakat in Ramadan. because of the doubling of wages, and obtaining the mercy of Allah – the Almighty -, and the Prophet – upon him be peace and blessings – abound in charity in Ramadan.

4. Sadqat: is one of the reasons that lead to accepting work and worship with Allah, and doubling the reward for its owner who will remain in its shadow on the Day of Resurrection as well, so the Muslims is keen to perform it in Ramadan.

And he seeks to have an amount of charity on a daily basis during The month of Ramadan, and to perform it away from the eyes of people; to be a secret between him and Allah; It came from some of his Companions that they were sensing the homes of the poor and the needy.

5. Laylat al Qadr It is one of the blessed nights that Allah and His Messenger have the highest value. It is the night in which Allah Almighty revealed the Qur’an, He said – the Almighty -: (إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ).

Moreover, work and worship in it is better than it in a thousand months than anything else, and Allah multiplies in it the good deeds many times over, He said – The Almighty -: (لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ).

And the revival of this night and the resurrection of it is a reason for the forgiveness of sins, facilitating matters, and maximizing rewards.

6. I’tikaaf Sunnah for a Muslim to i’tikaf During the month of Ramadan, especially in the last ten days of it; Because of the preservation of the soul from the prohibitions, and urging it to obey, seeking Layla Al qadar.

7. Umrah Performing: umrah in Ramadan is better than performing it in others, and the Prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – explained that and he said: (إنَّ عُمْرَةً في رَمَضَانَ حَجَّةٌ)).

And the reward for the Umrah in Ramadan is doubled by the meeting of the honor of the time. It is Ramadan, and the honor of the place; It is the honorable Mecca, and whenever the work is purely for Allah, the reward is doubled.

Read also: Ramadan Preparation Checklist: Get Ready for the Holy Month

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ramadan is one of the greatest months that a Muslim should take care of, because of its great virtue and great reward, as this month was the beginning of the revelation of the Noble Qur’an, on layout Al qadar, as we indicated through our article on the importance of Ramadan.

Recommended reading: The 4 Sacred Months in Islam

Ramadan’s most common FAQs

What is the month of Ramadan?

The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Hijri calendar, which comes after the month of Sha`ban, and this month is considered distinct among Muslims and has a special status from the rest of the months of the Hijri year. It is the month of fasting, which is considered one of the pillars of Islam, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink, as well as from a group of prohibitions that invalidate fasting from dawn until sunset.

Why is the month of Ramadan so important?

The month of Ramadan is the month of the Noble Qur’an, as the Qur’an was revealed in it, according to the Almighty’s saying: (شهر رمضان الذي أُنزل فيه القرآن), and in it is the layout Al qadar, thanks to which the worship of a thousand months exceeds. Just as The month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and liberation from Hellfire, just as it was authenticated on the authority of the Prophet. May Allah prayers and peace be upon him - that this month begins with mercy, its middle is forgiveness, and its end is liberation from Hellfire.

Why is Ramadan the 9th month?

The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Hijri calendar, and it comes after the month of Sha`ban. This month is considered distinguished by Muslims from the rest of the months of the Hijri year. It is the month of fasting. In it, people bond and communicate a lot, and social relations increase to some extent.

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Muslims fast on The month of Ramadan; Because Allah Almighty commanded us to do so, by His saying, Glory be to Him: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ We worship Allah Almighty with this worship beloved to Allah Almighty, which He commanded us to do. Moreover the Muslims initiate the compliance. Of the command of Allah Almighty and His Messenger, may Allah prayers and peace be upon him, according to the Almighty saying: إِنَّمَا كَانَ قَوْلَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنْ يَقُولُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ.

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