Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation".
There were many late nights, long hours and buckets full of tears but in the end it all paid off. The success of last year's Ramadan television program Ramadan Kareem has led to the SABC renewing the contract to produce another season to be broadcast during the holy month of Ramadan. The format which is fun, light, entertaining yet spiritually uplifting must've hit the right note because ever since the first broadcast numerous calls, emails and letters encouraged the team on. This year not much is being changed. The program has a winning formula that engages the viewer without boring them to death. It's an extremely difficult program to produce but the team believes they are guided by Allah and this in the end is what it is all about.
Ramadan is a time of intense introspection, reflection and commitment to the purpose of our life on earth. Every year over a billions Muslims partake in the voluntary abstention from food and drink. They do this to feel compassion for their fellow human being who may be less fortunate but they are also answering a commandment from Allah. The program format starts off with recitals from Qaris sourced across South Africa. This will be followed by a message of inspiration for the faithful to take into their day. This year they will again be showcasing those individuals who make a difference in their communities by living the religion of Islam and the message of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in their daily lives. Production has started in earnest and the team traveled to all parts of the country to bring you stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things all for the sake and pleasure of Allah. For the young viewers their will be a special section filled with stories that will enlighten as well as educate them as to their life's purpose on earth and in so doing lay the proper foundation for them as Muslims who in time to come will be the future leaders of the Ummah.
Unlike some of the Christian holidays, Ramadan doesn't fall on a particular day every year (like Christmas is always December 25). Ramadan is referred to as a "lunar holiday". The observations of Ramadan moves through the year, eventually occurring in each of the seasons, Most of us are familiar with Christmas being celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ. But what is the origin of Ramadan?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic year (which is lunar) and marks the anniversary of more than one significant event. It was during Ramadan that the Koran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. According to legend, he was sitting alone in the wilderness when suddenly the angel Gabriel came to him with a golden tablet in his hands. The angel told Muhammad to read what was written on the tablet. What was on this golden tablet is said to be the essence of the Koran, just as the Tablets of the Law that Moses received on Mt. Sinai were the basis of the bible's Old Testament.
Another event is said to be the Battle of Badr - which is the first battle between Mecca and Medina residents. The people of Mecca were idol worshippers and the people of Medina were Muslims, in which the Muslims had a glorious victory.
The Islamic faith has what is termed The 5 Pillars or requirements of that faith. One of the most well known is fasting, which begins when the new moon is sighted (usually on the 28th day of the previous month). As I said earlier, Ramadan moves through the year as its start date. So, when Ramadan falls in the height of summer, fasting is a bit more difficult to observe because the days are nearly 16 hours long. Why is this problem?
Because their fasting is for daylight hours only and they can not eat or drink until the sun goes down. Muslims are permitted to hold water in their mouths for a moment, but they can not swallow it. We have also been told that kissing and having intercourse is also forbidden during daylight time. Some scholars don't brush their teeth during the fast, but instead use a little stick to clean their mouths if needed. Beyond that, if a woman begins her menstruation, her fast is also broken. She can't fast on those days (Well, she can if she wants to, but it's not a valid fast) and she has to make up after. This also applies any other sort of bleeding as well. So, if you get cut or something and bleed, this also applies.
The purpose of fasting is to teach self-discipline and is needed to prepare for the suffering that Muslims may have to face in the course of obeying their God. They also feel it is a powerful means of defeating Satan because the poisons that are Satan's weapons are strengthened by eating and drinking. And they also all do it at the same time, creating a communal experience in which they all know what it's like to be hungry.
According to the Phophet, there are 5 things that will undo all the good that comes from fasting:
- Telling a lie
- Denouncing someone behind his or her back.
- Slander
- A False Oath
- Greed or Covetousness
The Muslim belief states that whoever observes this fasting faithfully and with pure intentions, will have his or her sins forgiven. Fasting during Ramadan is said to be 30 times more powerful than fasting any other time of the year.
In many Islamic countries, the beginning of Ramadan is announced by a firing of a gun or cannon on the eve of the first day (which begins at sunset not sunrise!).
We al are assuming that this tradition remains today not only as a sign of reverence, but many Muslims do not own watches, as was the custom thousands of years ago also? Therefore cannon firing is like an early form of a clock's alarm signifying time.
The morning hours are usually spent reciting the Koran, while the rest of the day is spent sleeping, reading and praying (remember they can't eat!). Then, as sunset approaches, Muslims gather in the mosque to chant the Koran and pray. When the gun announces the end of the fast, they return home to eat. It is compulsory for every Muslim over the age of 12 to observe the fast. Children learn to fast by doing so gradually, until they are old enough to do so without injuring their health.
Ramadan is a time for self-examination and increased religious devotion. The fast ends when the new moon is again sighted and the month of Shawwal begins. It is followed by the Id Al-Fitr feasting and the exchange of gifts.
The 5 Pillars of Islam
What are the 5 requirements of Islam besides fasting?
1. Shahadah - The duty to recite the creed of Islam as follows:
"There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Prophet".
2. Salah - The duty to worship God with prayer 5 times daily.
3. Zakah - The duty to be charitable, to distribute alms and to help the needy.
4. Sawm - Observing the Fast.
5. Haij - The duty to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your life.
The first two pillars, Shahadah and Salah are considered essential to be a Muslim. Anyone who disregards those first two can never be considered a Muslim.
The Moon
What does it mean to have a lunar calendar? It means that you don't start a month by a numerical date like on the 1st, but whenever the new moon appears (which could be saying on the 10th?).
In Muslim countries, people step outside to see the new moon of Ramadan, often climbing on their rooftops to get a better view. Once the new moon is seen, everyone congratulates each other and then hurries inside to prepare for the early morning meal.
So what do you do if you've got miserable weather and can't see the moon? Apparently all it takes is two people to see it and that makes a confirmation. Therefore, Muslims with proper technical equipment will affirm that the moon is out and then the news is given to the media to broadcast out to the people. In the old days, when you heard the cannon fire, you knew the moon had been verified.
Sahur
Sahur is the meal taken just before the sun comes up (dawn) and the start of the day's fast during Ramadan.
When Ramadan falls during the winter months, when the nights are longer and people have plenty of time to rest, Sahur is a full meal.
But on the short summer months, due to the short time between Iftar and Sahur (the evening meal that breaks the day's fast and then the pre-sunrise meal before the sun comes up), then Sahur is rather light and simple. In other words if Ramadan is say in July and the sun doesn't go down until 9:45 pm then the sun rise is say at 5:00 am there is approximately only 7 hrs. Between the evening meal (say at 10:00 pm) and the Sahur at say 4:30 am? Whereas, in the winter months if the sun goes down at 5:00 pm and the sunrise isn't until 5:30 am there is almost 12 hours between meals.
Anyway, the Muslim religion is immensely complex, just like many other religions. This page isn't meant to cover Islam in it's entirety but just give a simple explanation for some of the basics.
