What is Ramadan ? what is all about it ?

Question

What is Ramadan ? what is all about it ?

Answer 1

From what I've understood, "Ramadan" is where those who are wise enough not to oppose America go ... I you come here, with jihad in mind, I will consider you as Enemies.

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

Answer 3

The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Since a lunar year is about a week and a half shorter than a solar year, the month of Ramadan cycles backward through the seasons. It is a sacred month because God ordained it for the revelation of sacred texts. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq quotes the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, as saying,

“The Books of Abraham were revealed on the first night of the month of Ramadan; the Torah was revealed on the sixth of the month of Ramadan; the Gospel was revealed on the thirteenth of the month of Ramadan . . ., and the Holy Qur’an on the twenty-third of the month of Ramadan.”

It is also considered sacred because it contains the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr). “Qadr” literally means destiny, and on this night God determines each and every event to occur during the next year to any and all of His creation.

The Holy Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him and his family, tells us about the great blessings of the month of Ramadan.

“The month of Ramadan is overflowing with advantages, merciful, ready to put up your sins of omission and commission to God for obtaining his forgiveness. Its days, nights and hours, in the estimation of God, are more select, refined and important than the days, nights and hours of other months. It surpasses all months in merits and favors.…. So, sincerely, free from evil and sinful thoughts and actions, with clear conscience, pray and request that God may give you heart and confidence to observe fast… throughout this month..”

Is fasting just about having sins forgiven and getting rewards multiplied in the Hereafter? What about the problems of life here in this world? Is fasting just a ritual or does it have some other significance?

Modern Islamic scholars draw attention to the physical and spiritual benefits of fasting. But since physical and medical benefits of fasting accrue to anyone who fasts, regardless of one's faith in God, it is obvious that the physical and medical benefits are not the primary purpose of fasting in Islam.

What about spiritual benefits? Since different religions have different concepts of spirituality, what does spirituality mean in Islam and how can it be developed through fasting? The proponents of other religions, including many Muslims, claim that spirituality is an individual and subjective experience. How then can one know that one's spiritual development is taking place due to fasting? In addition, would a Hindu's or a Buddhist's spiritual development, due to fasting, be as significant as a Muslim's? In fact, Buddhist monks and Hindu saints go through much more rigorous rituals than Muslims. Does this mean that their spiritual development is of a higher level? Obviously, no Islamic scholar would be prepared to accept this.

According to the Quran, every Muslim (who can) must fast in the month of Ramadan 2:183-185. And fasting has to be done collectively at the community level. Unlike a Buddhist monk or a Hindu saint, a Muslim does not have to go to a mountain or a forest retreat to develop their spirituality through fasting and prayer. Moreover, it is not necessary for this type of retreat-based, solitary spiritual development to be done in Ramadan. That can be done in any month. This shows that a Muslim cannot advocate a spirituality that is based on individual and subjective experience. Therefore, in Islam, individual and subjective spiritual development is not the purpose of fasting in the month of Ramadan.

Since the Quran prescribed fasting specifically in the month of Ramadan, it is important to know the significance of this special time. A special feature of the Quran is that whenever it gives a command for action, it also provides the wisdom behind it. It tells what the final result of that action will be in this world, if it is successfully carried out. In this way the Quran provides a pragmatic test for people to see whether or not they are moving toward that desired result. Regarding fasting, the Quran says:

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint . [al-Baqarah 2:183]

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful . [al-Baqarah 2:185] Translation: Yusuf Ali

In the above verses, three results of fasting in Ramadan have been mentioned:

1) learning self-restraint

2) glorifying Allah Almighty because of being guided

3) being grateful .