Topic > An overview of Ramadan, a tradition celebrated by Muslims

IndexRamadanHow is it celebrated?What does it mean?RamadanOne of the main Islamic celebrations is Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims observe this month as the month of fasting. Fasting is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. The month of Ramadan lasts 29 to 30 days based on sightings of the crescent moon. Fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims, unless they are ill, traveling, pregnant, diabetic, etc. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While fasting from dawn to dusk, Muslims avoid consuming food or drink, smoking, and other behaviors that might be perceived as sinful such as swearing or procrastinating. Food and drinks are served twice a day, once before sunrise and once after sunset. The spiritual rewards for fasting are believed to multiply during the month of Ramadan. Fasting becomes obligatory for Muslims when they reach puberty, as long as they have no disabilities or illnesses. Charity or zakat is especially important during Ramadan. Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam. Muslims are required to donate a fixed percentage of their savings to the poor. As good deeds are rewarded most handsomely during the month of Ramadan. Most Muslims choose to donate most, if not all, of the money they are obligated to donate during this month. Many would also choose to give more than what is required to maximize their spiritual rewards. During Ramadan. Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Quran. They go to mosques to recite an entire section, usually about 1/30 of the Quran each evening, so the Quran would be recited completely by the end of the month. What is Islamic New Year and when is it? Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year. It falls in the month of Muharram in 2015, as it is known from Wednesday, October 14, 2015 to Thursday, November 12, 2015. This began in 622 AD during which Muhammad's emigration from Mecca to Medina, known as Hijra. celebrated? Different Islamic denominations, namely Shia and Sunni, do different things to celebrate Muharram. Fasting varies among different Muslim communities. Some Muslims fast around the tenth day of Muharram, also known as the Day of Ashura, to mourn the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Husayn ibn Ali. In Iraq, some Shia Muslims make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Imam Husayn, on the site of Husayn ibn Ali's tomb. In Iran the taziya or Theater of Condolences will be performed. What does it mean? It is known that the 10th of Muharram was the day chosen by Allah to save the people of Prophet Nuh from floods. Allah changed the circumstances of people once they sincerely repented of their doubts and became firmly rooted in the ways of their respective Prophets. The above scenario is identical for Islamic people in the present; they wish for their grievances to be alleviated and for justice and peace to be established, and so on this day they will repent before Allah and become righteous. Without this fundamental step, their condition will not change and their pain will increase. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Muslims using the right hand to eat is a tradition for thousands of years of people. the prophet Muhammad says that one should only use the right hand for eating or drinking and the left for cleaning. However, there are exceptions, people with hand disabilities.