Ramadan Mubarak -رمضان

Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest month in Islam described as Ramadan Kareem or the generous month.
The word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd "to burn". Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The entire month is spent fasting from dawn to dusk. The name came from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought to figuratively burn away all sins. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the earth during this month. Furthermore,Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed.Zakāt also transliterated zakaat or zakah; "to grow" (in goodness), "increase," "purifying," "foster," "making pure" is one of the Five
Pillars of Islam given to the needy muslims during Ramadan.It is one of the basic principles of Muslim economy, based on social welfare and fair distribution of wealth.Zakāt (Arabic: زكاة) is the Islamic concept of tithing and alms.It is an obligation on Muslims to pay 2.5% of their wealth to specified categories in society when their annual wealth exceeds a minimum level(nisab).The first day of the next month is spent in great celebrations and rejoicings and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or `Eid ul-Fitr.Ramadan is observed according to the Islamic calendar which is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons.Most Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but some insist on using the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different countries, but usually only by a day or two.This month of religious observances consists of fasting and extra prayers as the Qur'an was bestowed on Prophet Muhammad PBUH in this month.Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Destiny) is also observed during one of the last five odd numbered days of the month, being the 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29 th of Ramadan. The Qur'an states that this night is better than a thousand months. This is often interpreted as praying throughout this night is rewarded equally with praying for a thousand months. Millions of Muslims spend the entire night in prayer and the entire Qoran (Holy Book) is recited.
Who has to fast?
The fast is obligatory on all mature adult Muslims. Those who are mentally handicapped or insane are not considered "adult" and do not have to fast. People who are ill do not have to fast if it would further damage their health; however, they should make up the missed fasts later when they become well again. Women who are pregnant or nursing are considered "ill" because fasting would harm their babies. As well, women who are having their menstrual period or who are experiencing post-partum bleeding should refrain from fasting during the days of their bleeding; the combination of blood loss and fasting could damage their health. Children who have not yet reached puberty are not required to fast. However, it is good for them to practice, and for this reason many Muslim children do fast starting from age seven or nine. A doctor should be consulted about how much fasting is safe for a growing child. People who are traveling may also break their fast if they feel that keeping it would harm them; as well, soldiers on guard duty for whom maximum readiness is a must may break their fast. In all cases of illness or fear of illness, the missed days need to be made up later.For the elderly who are incapable of fasting due to age and health reasons a "kafaara" is given out, it`s equivalent to a sum of money or
a number of daily Iftar meals to be given during Ramadan to the poor and needy Muslims.
Why fast?
to develop patience and self-control
to learn sympathy for the deprived
to cleanse the body and mind
to gain appreciation for Allah's(god)Subhanahu Wa taalla(The Almighty)bounty
to demonstrate the depth of one's commitment
to protect against sin
There are, then, three levels of the Ramadan fast:
refraining from the physical things that are forbidden (performed with the mouth/stomach/sexual organs)
restraining oneself from saying, hearing and looking at forbidden things (performed with the senses)
renewing one's devotion to Allah Subhanahu Wa taalla (performed with the heart and mind).
Observances or customs attached to Ramadan:
The Muslim world has an almost staggering diversity of cultures and each Muslim country may have its own customs and rites associated with Ramadan. Some customs that are observed by most Muslims include the following:
Recitation of the entire Quran, in imitation of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who did so. This is usually done for the community from the mosques or (in Muslim countries) on the radio; individuals or families may also get together for their own recitation.
Observance of special night vigil prayers in the late evening called Taraweeh and in the middle of the night past 12 am called Qeyam Al lail .
Withdrawing to the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan for prayer and Quran recitation, which is called itikaf meaning "seclusion" .
Celebration of the "Night of Power" or Laylat Al-Qadr marking the specific date of the beginning of the revelation of the Quran on the 27th of Ramadan.
As well, the fast is broken each evening with a meal called "iftar" (meaning "breaking the fast"), and the last meal in the morning before dawn prayers is called "suhur" (meaning "morning meal"). In Muslim countries it is quite common to have feasts that last all night and run from iftar to suhur. These feasts are a time of celebration and community.The evening meal often eaten communally and often including dates as a Sunnah meaning following with the practice of Prophet Mohammad PBUH. There is also a special holiday marking the end of Ramadan, called Eid al-Fitr.
Photos:Traditional Ramadan Lantern and Greeting