Holy Festival of Ramadan - Part 1

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Festival of Ramadan - Part I <br><br>Ramadan is

the ninth month of the Islamic Hijra calendar and is

perhaps the holiest time of the year for Muslims. It is

known as Hari Rayah in Asia. It starts on November 17

this year (2001).<br><br>It was during Ramadan that

the Glorious Kuran was first revealed to Prophet

Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). The book of Prophet Ibraheem

(Abraham) was revealed on the 1st, the Torah (Old

Testament) on the 7th, and the Injeel (New Testament) on the

14th day of Ramadan, respectively.<br><br>Significance

of fasting during Ramadan<br><br>Fasting is one of

the five pillars of Islam and as directed in the

Glorious Kuran, during the month of Ramadan, all able

Muslims are required to fast for self-restraint and

God-consciousness. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) has implied

that one’s attitude and behavior should change after

completion of the month’s fast. <br><br>The influence of

time (kalmahatmya):<br><br>A majority of vowed

religious observances, such as fasting during Ramadan,

include the period of the month during which waxing of

the moon occurs. Thus, the chances of fulfillment of

the motive of the vowed religious observance go on

increasing. Since fasting during a particular time of the

year is most beneficial, Ramadan fasting is done only

at a particular time of the year and cannot be done

any other time of the year. <br><br>To be continued

<br><br>Source : <a href=http://www.sanatan.org/weekly

target=new>http://www.sanatan.org/weekly</a> (# 96)