Why is Ramadan Important

All around the world there are many Muslims. In Pakistan Ramadan is given a lot of importance. Let me share a few experiences about how Ramadan is celebrated in Pakistan. There is a lot of excitement on the eve of Ramadan. When it is confirmed that the following that all Muslims have to fast. There is a sudden rush on all of the shops, as people start buying things for Ramadan. Sometimes it is hard to understand that why does the prices of everything go up in Ramadan. The simply answer is that there is a sudden rise in demand.

What I feel is that many a times the people living here in Pakistan do not realize that the basic meaning of Ramadan is sacrificing for the poor. People normally have Iftar parties during Ramadan which according to me is not correct. People drift away from the main reason why Allah has asked us to fast. If the motive is kept the blessings showered by Allah is great, but people around here don’t understand. I feel that someone should realize and make a change only then will we be able to be called true Muslims. Fasting for a duty of just because parents want us to or it is a tradition. Fasting from the heart and meaning it should be the main motive.

Many a times it is noticed that during this Holy month in order to reach home at the time of Maghrib we see people fighting. Is this what we are supposed to do? How can we fast and fight at the same time. People get so angry and things in Karachi are so expensive that a normal person can’t afford to open their fast properly. It is so sad when we see women and children begging on the road for food during this Holy month and people getting angry as they are a hindrance to them while they buy their eatables at the stall.

My view is that a single person can bring out a revolution but someone has to be willing to do so. It is necessary for each Muslim brother to understand that Ramadan is a gift from Allah to each Muslim and we should make the best of it during this month. So why not think for a while and understand the importance of Ramadan. It indeed will help us to focus on what Allah wants from us. So my brothers and sisters it’s time to look back and make a change, do something different from the others and take this opportunity to do what we have never done before.

A Pakistani Ramadan

Ramadan is one of the most awaited events in Pakistan. Its importance can be justified by rules and regulations governed in the state or example; all the offices in the country or in fact majority close down on a half day basis and special incentives are also given to the employees during the holy month of Ramadan.

One of the most important things about Ramadan is that it is used for the cleansing for the mind, heart and soul of the body which is needed for every Muslim around. It also has a good biological effect to be intestine and stomach system; it cleanses the entire system and makes a person healthy enough which helps in his old age.

The whole nation after ‘Iftar’ is in a state of fellowship among their loved one’s and meet and greet people. They go out for get together and are always looking forward for fun as for the entire day goes in serving the offices and keeping up the commitment to fast as for his command to us. There are many sorts of deals and schemes which come out during this holy month of Ramadan in terms of shopping, food and entertainment.

Ramadan kinds of gets a little difficult for the people here in Pakistan as know Pakistan is a cosmopolitan state having all kinds of sects and culture which dwell in pretty well. But for the one’s fasting it gets a little difficult due to being tempted by seeing others having food and not wanting to have it but still the craving to food is always there.

It closes with a lot of celebration but the sad thing to notice is that every event has its own huge anticipation but as the event arrives the excitement goes low. Same happens with Eid here in Pakistan people mostly celebrate it sitting back at home and enjoy a nice family time. But it pays off for all the fun and praises given to Holy One is this Holy month of Ramadan.
 

Ramadan is a holy month for muslims

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. According to the Islamic calendar Ramadan comes in the ninth month every year. It is a time of fasting from dawn to dusk daily. During this holy month Muslims give up food and drink during the daytime. It is a month where each one devotes themselves to praise, worship and honor God. This is normally done by saying your prayers five times a day or going to the mosque. During Ramadan we should be devoted to God by praying and visiting the mosque. In Ramadan we read the Quran more often as we know that the gates of heaven are opened and hell is closed. There are a lot of beliefs attached to this month that is a great festival for all Muslims. Ramadan is the holiest month of all as it was during this month that the Holy Quran was bestowed to our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) from heaven. Ramadan according to Islam is also of great importance as it is one of the five pillars of Islam; the pillars are a set standard for all Muslims which are compulsory to follow. It is an obligation that all Muslims should fast during this entire month.

Following are the five pillars of Islam.
1)    Recitation of the Apostles' Creed (Shahada) twice – that ‘There is no God except Allah "and" the Prophet Mohammed is his prophet.

2)    Prayer (Salat) is said five times a day facing towards the Holy city of Mecca.

3)    Charity (Zakat) – is a donation which is compulsory and an obligation for every Muslim as it is the giving of arms to the poor and needy.

4)    Fasting (Saum) – Is obligatory in the Holy month of Ramadan.

5)    Pilgrimage (Hajj) – Has to be done once in your life time. It is the visit to the Holy city in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Important during Hajj:
Muslims performing Hajj it is important that you should walk around the Kaaba seven times, kiss and touch the black stone as it is affiliated to a religious significance before Muhammad was born. In this one point Muhammad used this as a practice and it became one of the five pillars of Islam.

Those who are the followers of Islam are expected to refrain from eating and drinking during Ramadan. Under some circumstances Muslims are exempted from fasting they are as follows. Including:

• Children below the age of 12
• Children that are physically and mentally disabled
• Muslims that are aged
• Muslims that are traveling long distances
• Nursing mothers
• Pregnant women
• Women getting their periods

Ramadan 2009

Welcome everyone to Ramadan Kareem 2009, This is a place where we all gather every ramadan to share our ramadan experiences and views. Everyone from all over the world, from all faiths can come and learn about the holy month of Ramadan. Hope to see people from everywhere come together in peace and learn from each other at the "Online Iftaar".

NOTE: If anyone wants to sign on as a writer from the Ramadan Kareem Blog you are welcome to, just send us an email on destituterebel@gmail.com and we would be happy to send a blogger invite your way.

Going Well

Ramadan for the most part is going quite well in Pakistan. Since Ramadan started the weather has been quite a bit better then before. Also the electricity load shedding has been reduced from the previous 6-8 hours to a couple hours a days. Since Ramadan is almost half way over I have also noticed a spike in traffic in the hours after the Iftaar on account of people getting out more and starting to do their shopping for Eid! People have started setting up the traditional henna/mehndi, and curi/bangles stalls.

I am going to be away from my computer for a couple of days starting tomorrow and will be back with more news soon, in the mean time wish you all happy and fulfilling fasting and see you all soon.

Ramadan in Pakistan

My absence from the blog has been due to me being on my farm for the past 15 days, this was the first time in my life that I have spent this long a time in a rural undeveloped area of the country, the experience was amazing and being there in Ramadan was an added experience.

The hospitality of the people in rural areas who can ill afford extravagant spending in times of crisis was exemplary. Unlike in cities people stay awake after sehri and spend their days working hard in fields sometimes staying out in scorching heat throughout the day to water their fields or spread fertilizers or chemicals. Yet in the evening people offer whatever they have to the ones around them. during my eight days of Ramadan in a small village I was invited to numerous iftars and attended a couple, although village life might not be as luxurious as city life and people might not have been rich financially they were rich in their offering to their fellow man and they were happy and content with their lives, sometimes experiences like these show us how much we have to thank God for all we have and how much we take for granted things that some people cant even think of having. Wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Ramadan, May God give us the strength and wisdom to accept what we have and try to help those less fortunate.