'Roza' or fast in Urdu came from Arabic word 'saum' meaning to abstain. During the fast, observed every day from dawn to sunset, Muslims abstain from consuming any food or water or engaging in sexual relations. One of the five tenets of Islam, 'roza' is obligatory for all adult Muslims, except those who are ill and travelling.
The devout seek Allah's forgiveness and mercy by daily offering 'namaz' five times and also additional 'namaz' during night like 'Taraweeh' and 'Tahajjud' and reading of the holy Quran.
"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous," says the holy Quran (chapter 2, verse 183).
"Roza is not an ordinary worship. Its significance can be gauged from the fact that Prophet Mohammed used to pray to the Almighty to give another opportunity to observe Ramadan," said Moulana Mohammed Hussamuddin Sani Jafar Pasha.
The head of Hyderabad-based Jamia Islamia Darululoom said while other forms of worship can be seen by people, 'roza' is purely between the believer and the Creator.
"A person may tell the world that he is fasting but may eat or drink in private. He, however, refrains from doing so because he knows Allah is watching him. The month trains him to develop self-control and patience and abstain from deeds prohibited by Allah," he said.
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