Ramadhan ..

Ramadhan Mubarak !

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred of the twelve months. The name Ramadan derives from the Arabic word for intense heat and sun-scorched ground.

Fasting

The month of Ramadan is that in which the Koran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days ..

Why fast ?

• to develop patience and self-control
• to learn sympathy for the poor
• to cleanse the body and mind
• to gain appreciation for Allah's bounty
• to demonstrate the depth of one's commitment
• to protect against sin

There are, then, three levels of the Ramadan fast:

• refraining from the physical things that are forbidden (performed with the mouth/stomach/sexual organs)
• restraining oneself from saying, hearing and looking at forbidden things (performed with the senses)
• renewing one's devotion to Allah (performed with the heart and mind)