FACTS ABOUT RAMADAN

I have found an article which is unbiased about Islam and facts of Ramadan.For those who want to know more about Islam and Ramadan, here is the article ' Ramadan; 5 things You Didn't Know.' by Ryan Mckee. I hope it is beneficial to all of us.

Ramadan: 5 Things You Didn't Know
By Ryan Mckee

Most people wouldn’t get quite so excited for Christmas or Hanukkah if they were preceded by a month of refraining from food, drinking, sex, smoking, and anything that is not of a good nature or in excess from dawn until sunset. That’s exactly what the Muslim religion does during one of their biggest holidays, Ramadan. The fasting is meant to teach followers patience, modesty, spirituality, and to remind them of their religious obligations. Since it is for the sake of Allah, they’re also encouraged to pray more than usual. While roughly 22% of the world's population practices Islam, many non-Muslims know very little about their holidays. Here are five interesting basics you didn’t know about Ramadan.

1- Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar

The Islamic calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar we use in the West. Ours is a solar calendar, based upon the sun’s movements. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar; each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. While we have 365 days in a year, they have 354 days. Because the lunar year is shorter, each date on it falls about 10 or 11 days earlier than the solar calendar. Since each month begins upon the sighting of a new crescent moon, the beginning of Ramadan can only be predicted. Depending on weather and atmospheric conditions, it may be delayed. This year, it is predicted to begin in the Eastern Hemisphere on August 21. It won’t begin in the Western Hemisphere until August 22.

2- Ramadan means "scorched earth”

The word is derived from an Arabic root rmd, as in words like ramida or ar-ramad. Depending where you look, it means: scorched ground, shortness of rations, scorching heat, parched thirst, or sun-baked ground. Those are the general feelings of Muslims during the month, since the fast involves refraining from “moisture” -- like drink, food and sex -- during the daylight hours.

3- If you’re insane, you get a fasting pass

The fast is obligatory for all sexually mature adult Muslims. Children get a pass, although parents usually begin teaching them to refrain for certain periods of time. People who are mentally handicapped or insane are not considered adults, so they do not have to fast. If you’re ill, pregnant or nursing that’s also a free pass not to fast. Even during a woman’s menstrual cycle, they can break the fast for those days.

4- Ramadan is a time to remember religious devotion

Chapter 2, verses 183-203 of Sura Al-Baqarah in The Qur'an speaks of the need to fast during Ramadan as a way to develop “taqwa.” This is an Arabic term for “God-consciousness” or being aware that Allah is watching even if the person is not aware. People develop taqwa through obedience to God, and the fast reminds them of their devotions. The idea is that only Allah knows who breaks their fast and one has to live with that guilt. However, in certain countries, Muslims caught not fasting during Ramadan can be sentenced to time in prison. In 2008, Algerian courts condemned six people to four years in prison and heavy fines.

5- Eid al-Fitr is a three-day party

Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity,” while Fitr means “to break the fast.” It begins on the first day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan. People who can afford it donate rice, barley, dates, and more to people in need so everyone can have a holiday meal. This donation is known as "sadaqah al-fitr" (charity of fast-breaking). That first morning, Muslims will gather in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. Afterward, they break off to visit various family and friends, exchange gifts, call to distant relatives with holiday wishes, and eat huge meals. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire three-day period is an official government/school holiday.

Source: www.askmen.com