What is Ramadan?

Asalamualaikum!

    I'd like to start this blog with a greeting that every Muslims do when we meet, which means "Peace Be Upon You". I've noticed that many readers here aren't Muslims and now that we're in the month of Ramadan, many of you are probably wondering "What is Ramadan?" and "What's so special about this month?"

So I'd like to post this blog to explain a little about this month and what makes it so special for us Muslims. :)

"Ramadan" is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which in every day of this month, us Muslims all over the world spend the daylight hours fasting. But fasting isn't only about not eating and drinking, but it's about how to abstain from food, drink and other physical needs to purify the soul, refocus our attention to Allah and practice self-sacrifice. Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits - essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. 

The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" 

it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words. (More info in link What is Fasting?)

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. 

♥ The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. 

♡ The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. 

♥ The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. 

♡ The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. 

♥ The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. 

In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of Allah.

So what's so important about Ramadan except the fasting?

There're so many sayings from our Prophet Muhammad that emphasizes the importance of Ramadan.

Here's some of them:

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: 

❤ When Ramadan enters, 

the gates of Paradise are opened, 

the gates of Hell fire are closed and the devils are chained."

and...

❤ "Every action a son of Adam does shall be multiplied 

- a good action by ten times its value, up to 700 times. 

Allah says: With the exception of fasting, which belongs to Me, and I reward it accordingly. 

For, one abandons his desire and food for My sake."

And some of Prophet Muhammads actions during Ramadan.

❤ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year;

 and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he did in earlier part of the month. 

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   Before I end this blog I just wanted to say that, my intentions in this blog is to explain a little about Islam so that you who aren't Muslims understand us more. As I've probably mentioned in my earlier articles, living in this world filled with different cultures and religion, I think it's very important to understand and accept one another for who they are and what they believe in. Allah created us humans all equally and therefore my goal in this life is to live in this world with peace among all of us people. No matter who you are or what your faith is, you're still human just like everyone else. One other think Islam taught me is that, in Islam, there's no such thing as rich or poor. All humans are equal and I think that's why I'm so motivated to this. Think about how colorful our world would be without all the fights and war. 

If you want to know more about the rules or purposes of fasting, or what Muslims can or can't do during the fast, click in this link --> What is Fasting?

   So I really hope you liked this one and "Hey you!!" Stay awesome! :D

xoxo itsfaarida

PS: Thanks to these sources for the info ;)

http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/ramadanintro.htm

http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/hadith/hadith-collections/463297-15-hadiths-about-ramadan.html