A beginners' guide to the holiest of months
"You who believe? Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, so perchance you may attain God-consciousness." (Surat Al Baqara, Verse 183)
As the month of Ramadan begins, people's daily lives change – the pursuit of material wealth replaced by the pursuit of greater spirituality.
Muslims take these four weeks as a chance to remind themselves of what it means to be a follower of Islam.
As one of five pillars of the faith, Ramadan – the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest of the four holy months – means more than fasting during daylight. It prohibits physically mature and healthy Muslims from drinking, chewing gum, tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact. The fast lasts from sunrise to sunset for 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon. Moreover, "fasting" includes refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all traits of bad character.
"You who believe? Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, so perchance you may attain God-consciousness." (Surat Al Baqara, Verse 183)
As the month of Ramadan begins, people's daily lives change – the pursuit of material wealth replaced by the pursuit of greater spirituality.
Muslims take these four weeks as a chance to remind themselves of what it means to be a follower of Islam.
As one of five pillars of the faith, Ramadan – the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest of the four holy months – means more than fasting during daylight. It prohibits physically mature and healthy Muslims from drinking, chewing gum, tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact. The fast lasts from sunrise to sunset for 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon. Moreover, "fasting" includes refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all traits of bad character.
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