New Delhi: ‘Ramadan’, the holy festival of Muslims which is quite awaited among them, has begun today.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month in which Qur’an was revealed. Ramadan involves fasting for an entire month which has either 29 or 30 days.
Muslims observe absolute daytime fasting (meals are eaten before dawn and after sunset), night-time prayers or tarawih, giving alms to poor, reciting Qur’an and refraining from sinful behavior.
All kinds of foods and drinks are prohibited for those who observe the fast. Muslims also abstain from smoking and sex during the day.
Indeed, it is not easy to observe Ramadan as one must follow the rules of this holy month. In addition to the simple refraining from eating or drinking, there are other things which followers of Islam need to avoid and there are other things which they need to do in Ramadan.
So here we bring you an etiquette guide for Ramadan
Do’s:
Recite Quran daily: The Ramadan is also called the month of Qur’an as it is believed that the holy book was revealed in this month. It is important to recite Quran during the holy month of Ramadan. This will not just bring you inner peace bur will also help you earn maximum blessing.
Follow the Sunnah: Acting upon the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad is another deed that brings reward to a Muslim. The sunnah of Muhammad includes his specific words (Sunnah Qawliyyah), habits, practices (Sunnah al Fiiliyyah), and silent approvals (Sunnah Taqririyyah). According to Muslim belief, Muhammad was the best exemplar for Muslims, and his practices are to be adhered to in fulfilling the divine injunctions, carrying out religious rites, and moulding life in accordance with the will of Allah.
Nawafil Brings Reward: It is always said a Muslim should observe prayers five times a day. However, during Ramadan, it is believed that one must also practise Nawafil prayers. These are the voluntary prayer which helps earn more blessing and rewards during the holy month.
Perform Tarawih: Tarawih is another form of Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad. In addition to all the mandatory prayers, it is important to observe tarawih after the Isha prayers during Ramadan to attain greater blessings
Pay Zakah: Zakah is a form of charity. Although there is no particular month for paying Zakah, however, it is considered auspicious to do so during the holy month of Ramadan. It is also believed that paying Zakah helps those who are less fortunate be able to celebrate the festival with somewhat same zest as all the other prosperous people. It is obligatory for every able Mulsim to pay Fitra, a form of charity, in the month of Ramadan. This must be paid before the Eid prayers, which is observed on first day of Shawwāl, 10th month of Arabic calendar.
Don’ts:
Eat Junk Food: Suhur and Iftar are the two important aspects of Ramadan. While Suhur means eating before dawn, Iftar is concerned with eating on breaking of fast. Fasting during Ramadan is not easy, so it is important to observe what to eat during Suhur and Iftar. It is advisable to avoid eating junk food during Ramdan as it makes fasting difficult.
Hold Grudges: fasting in Ramadan signifies sacrifice and forgiveness. So it is important for a person observing Ramdan, not to hold grudges and indulge in fighting people.
Lose Patience: Another thing that fasting in Ramadan teaches is tolerance and patience. So it is advisable to avoid loosing temper and grow impatient during the holy month.
Commit Satanic Deed: It is important to ward off evil deed during the holy month of Ramdan. Therefore, a Muslim must try refraining from base thoughts as well as committing vain and base deeds. Instead, he/she must try getting indulge in acts of goodness and kindness.
