Ramadan - An Overview : Ramadan is that blessed month in which the Holy Qur'an was first revealed to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The month of Ramadan was the starting point of Muhammad (SAW) becoming the messenger of Allah and spreading the deen (Islam) of Allah. The month of Ramadhan marks the coming down of the holy Quran from the heavens to the earth. Thus the essence of this month is to embark upon changing ourselves, using the Quran as our guide.....more
Fasting (Sawm): This is the fourth pillar of Islam, and Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is a duty of every muslim (who is healthy & sane). The Arabic word for fasting is "Sawm" - meaning to stop or abstain. A fast then means that one refrains from eating, drinking and other physical things (all those things that are otherwise allowed) from dawn to sunset.......more
Prayers during Ramadan: Allah forgives all previous sins of a person who sincerely worships Allah during the month of Ramadan. During this month Allah's mercy and blessings are at their peak......more
Charity during Ramadan: Ibn Abbas relates that the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, was the most generous of men and he was at his most bountiful during Ramadan when Gabriel visited him every night and recited the Quran to him. During this period the bounty of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, waxed faster than the rain-bearing breeze (Bokhari and Muslim).
Eid-ul-FITR: It is one of the 2 great festivals for Muslims (the other being Eid-ul-Adha). Eid-ul-FITR means celebration of breaking of fast, and is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan, on the first day of the month of Shawwal, post the sighting of the new moon. It is an occasion of joy and thanksgiving to Allah. Nobody knows in advance when the new moon will be sighted. It can appear either after 29 days or after 30 days. If there is no news of the sighting of the new moon even after the completion of 30 days, then Eid is celebrated. This prayer is read in large congregrations.The Adhan and Iqamah are not said in the Eid prayer.The Eid prayer consists of 2 raka'hs with 6 or 12 additional takbirs.