Report: Blessed fasting month of Ramadan in India

When the new moon was sighted Monday evening, Indian Muslims, like other Muslims around the globe, started fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
Muslims across the globe observe fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan.

Indian people prepare themselves for Ramadan on the last day of Sha`ban, when the fatwa committee goes for sighting the crescent of Ramadan after the sunset prayer.

When the moon is sighted, people begin to phone their relatives and friends, congratulating one another for the blessed month. Then they go for Taraweeh Prayer.

One of the habits of the Indians in Ramadan is retreating in mosques for worship during the last ten days of Ramadan.

During the month, Laylat al-Qadr, considered the most holy night of the year, is the night in which the Holy Quran was revealed to Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the ‘Night of the Power’. Muslims believe it to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadn, either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th (in Sunni sect) or the 19th, 21st or 23rd (in Shi’a sect).

Shias spend Nineteen, Twenty and the Twenty-first days of this month mourning in memory of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) the Prophet’s son-in-law, who martyred in the cause of religion.

There are some special dishes prepared in Ramadan in India for Iftar and Sahur, such as “Ghangui” a kind of soup, made of flour, rice and slices of meat. This soup is served in all mosques. Also there is “Harir” a kind of drink to be taken at Iftar.

‘Iftar,’ the fast-breaking meal eaten at sunset, is a family and community affair for which many Muslims stock up on food and supplies weeks in advance.

In India, in places like Hyderabad, people break their fast with Haleem because it is rich and quite filling.

In Southern states such as Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, Muslims break their fast with nonbu kanji, a rich rice dish of porridge consistency, cooked for hours with meat and vegetables. This is often served with bonda, bajji, and vada.

But in Northern states Muslims break their fast with Khajoor (Dates), Pakoris(made of Besan, onion, potato), Choole (made of Grams) and mixed fruits chat.

Iftar (the break-fast meal at sunset) is served in mosques, with the food donated or brought by individuals to share pot-luck style.

Tables are set up on the sidewalks or outside of mosques to serve iftar to the poor and others. Such traditions also build a sense of brotherhood in community.

By and large, major politicians in the country have made it a practice to organise Iftar party during the month of Ramadan and extend invitations to a cross section of political leaders including those belonging to communal parties as well as media men.

The non-Muslim hosts even wear the special cap generally put on by the Muslims on this occasion. It is ridiculous that the occasion is utilised by the political leaders to prove their secular credentials and also for political maneuverings.

During the Holy month of Ramadan, Roza Kushai, a segment in which kids having their first Roza (fast), is also celebrated.

There is an air of solemnity about the elaborate SEHRI (a meal which is served about an hour before dawn). At sunset, the Iftar is again a lavish affair, with a dozen delicacies to reward the young boy or girl for self-denial. His or her friends and relatives are there to congratulate and share in the repast. Naturally, the poor and needy are not forgotten.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured; from dawn until sunset.

Fasting is meant to teach the Muslims patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah, and to offer more prayer than usual.

During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Holy Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur’an (juz, which is 1/30 of the Quran) is recited. Therefore the entire Quran would be completed at the end of the month.

Ramadan is also the month of charity. Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said, “…Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month), shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time; and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month), shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time.

It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Hell fire, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.”

Thus Muslims give generously in Ramadan, both sadaqah (optional charity) and zakat al-mal (obligatory charity). Sadaqah does not only have to be money. It can also be a good deed—such as helping another person—done for the sake of Allah and without expecting any reward from the person.

It is obligatory for every Muslim to pay a small amount of zakat al-fitr before the end of Ramadan. This money is collected and given to the poorest of the poor so that they may also enjoy the festivities on`Eid-ul-Fitr’.

Ramadhan is the month in which the Holy Quran has been revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

As compared to solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year.

Ramadan ends with Eid ul-Fitr on the first of Shawwal, with much celebrations and feasts.