For Muslims, the arrival of Ramadan is a source of joy and celebration, but the way we spend this month may seem strange to people unfamiliar with the principles of Islam. Ramadan is not a month of parties and socializing, it is a month of worship. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam.

Muslims express gratitude and love for the One True God by obeying and worshiping Him. We worship according to His guidance in the Qur'an and through the authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is special. This is the month of fasting, reading and striving to understand the Qur'an and special additional prayers. Mosques come alive in the evening when Muslims gather to break their fast and pray together. The rich sound of recitation of the Qur'an is heard throughout the long nights as Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder, praying and praising God.

Muslims around the world love the month of Ramadan and look forward to it with anticipation and excitement. In the weeks leading up to Ramadan, life is carefully planned and worship plans for the month are made. The countdown begins, and with it the talk of how many weeks are left before this blessed month begins. Perhaps non-Muslims will wonder why we look forward to days of fasting and sleepless nights. Ramadan gives a chance for redemption and a great reward. This month is unlike any other. A month of spiritual reflection and prayer. Hearts are directed away from worldly activities and draw closer to God.

Why do Muslims love Ramadan? Poll (video)

In the month of Ramadan, all physically mature and healthy Muslims are required to fast: refrain from taking all food, drinks, chewing gum, any kind of tobacco and any kind of sexual contact from dawn to dusk. However, this is only the physical aspect. In addition, there are spiritual qualities, which include the rejection of gossip, lies, slander and all bad character traits. It is necessary to avoid unholy sights and sounds that may interfere with the purification of thoughts and actions. Fasting is also a way to feel hungry and learn to empathize with the less wealthy, as well as to learn gratitude and appreciation for the Almighty for all His bounties.

God said:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for your predecessors - perhaps you will be afraid. (Sura Al-Baqara, 2:183)

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also reminded us that fasting is not only abstaining from food and drink, but there is another dimension to it. He said:

“If someone does not refrain from using obscene language and acts indecently (during the fasting period), then God no longer needs what he does not eat or drink.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Ramadan is also the month when Muslims try to establish or restore a relationship with the Quran. It must be said that the words of God are a guiding light and mercy. The Qur'an was sent down in the month of Ramadan. Ramadan and the Quran are inextricably intertwined. Staying with the Qur'an, reading, memorizing, reading the Qur'an aloud and contemplating its meaning is spiritually uplifting, comforting and gives a source of strength.

Reading at night is especially useful, since everything that distracts during the day disappears and closeness to God is felt in the silence of the night. In Ramadan, special night prayers are held, during which parts of the Koran are read. These prayers are called taraweeh. One thirtieth part of the Qur'an is recited every night in such a way that by the end of the month the entire Qur'an is completed.

One of the last odd nights of the month is Laylatul-Qadr, the "Night of Power". Also this night of the holy month is called the "Night of Predestination". Muslims believe that on this night God began to send down the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) through the angel Jibril. For the time spent in sincere prayer on this night, Allah gives a great reward and blessing. The Qur'an says that praying for just that one night is better than a thousand months spent in prayer. No one knows what kind of night it is, as it is one of the mysteries of God.

Ramadan is also the month of good deeds and mercy. Muslims strive to give alms and increase their good deeds. Charity can be as simple as a smile - there is no need for ostentatious generosity. Charity given without demonstration is more positive for both the recipient and the giver. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was always a generous person and never owned more than what could cover his basic needs. Any surplus, he generously distributed to others, but he was most generous in the month of Ramadan.

Perhaps the question will arise: if the qualities and virtues of a Muslim are genuine and the believer is devoted to God, then he should show these qualities in any month, and this is true. However, as human beings, we are all prone to commit sins and make mistakes. Sometimes the nature of life makes us forget our real purpose. Our purpose is to worship God, so God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, gave us Ramadan to remind us of our purpose.

A wisely spent month of Ramadan will help "charge" our spiritual and physical "accumulator". This month, filled with mercy and forgiveness, God makes it easy for us to overcome our shortcomings and reward us in abundance. He is our Creator who understands that we are still far from perfect. When we go to God, He immediately meets us, but when we remove our hands, He reaches us and grants us forgiveness.

Muslims love Ramadan. This is a lifeline for us. We stand shoulder to shoulder and bow our heads in worship. Ramadan is spreading all over the world: Muslims start and break the fast together as a single organism, a single people. Ramadan is coming and all our good deeds rise to God. The month of Ramadan is a joy and a gift beyond comparison. Even before the end of the month is over, Muslims begin to feel sad that this blessed month is ending and try to prolong the time by arriving with the Quran and worshiping God in the best possible way.

Aisha Stacey
Australian writer,
who converted to Islam

According to legend, at this time many years ago, Allah sent down to mankind his teaching, the holy book of the Koran. This message was transmitted through the Arab preacher Muhammad from the hands of Gabriel. In honor of this significant event, the Night of Power is celebrated, which falls on the 27th day of Ramadan.

On the first day of Ramadan, the gates of Paradise open and the gates of Hell close. The evil spirits of the shaitans do not disturb the faithful, as they are shackled in iron chains. And those demons that remained in the people themselves and sharpen their souls are expelled during the fast of Oraza. It lasts as long as the holy month itself and prescribes several strict restrictions. Fasting Oraza is one of the five unshakable pillars of Islam.

In Ramadan, it is forbidden to eat or drink during daylight hours. In addition, it is not allowed to have any contact with persons of the opposite sex, which can be regarded as caresses. Fasting must be observed by all people who have reached puberty. Boys reach it at the age of 12, girls - at 9. Children under this age are exempted from the fast of Oraza, as the elderly and the mentally ill, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

Every Muslim is punished for breaking his fast. If there are no good reasons for this, then for one missed day of Oraza, the faithful must make up for it with any additional day after Ramadan, as well as make a donation or feed one in need. For sexual intercourse during the daytime of Ramadan, Islam punishes the violator with 60 days of fasting or helping 60 beggars.

Bodily cleansing during the Oraza fast is the basis for spiritual cleansing. During this month, Muslims try to spend a lot of time reading the Quran and praying. They do good deeds, give alms, learn compassion and forgiveness. Muslims spend the Night of Power in wakefulness. It is believed that miracles happen on this night: believers turn to God with requests for mercy and receive it. In addition, at this time, signs from above come, signs about the fate of the world in general and its individual representatives in particular. Whether they are good or bad, no one can change them.

After the end of Ramadan, the three-day Oraza Ait, the feast of breaking the fast, begins. On these days, families try to gather all their relatives under one roof, prepare traditional dishes and treat their neighbors with them. The families of those who died in the past year invite a mullah and perform memorial rites.

The month of Ramadan often does not coincide with the calendar month. This is due to the discrepancy between the Islamic lunar and Gregorian calendars. For this reason, every year the beginning of Ramadan is shifted back by about 11 days. So, in 2012, the holy month begins on July 20. However, it should be borne in mind that in some Muslim countries, the dates of Ramadan may differ from those generally accepted. This is due to differences in calculations or weather conditions.

In 2018, Ramadan starts on May 16 and runs until June 14. Unlike Christians, Muslims do not eat at all during the month. Drinking is also prohibited. Among all Muslim holidays, Bayram is one of the most important.

Its other name, common among believers, is Eid al-Fitr. It is celebrated for three whole days in a month, in Arabic it is called Shawwal, timed to coincide with the end of the fast of Ramadan. That is why it is also called Ramadan Bairam. We will talk more about this holiday below.

Ramadan is the month of obligatory Muslim fasting. This is one of the 5 pillars on which Islam rests (along with the testimony that there is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet, donations, five prayers and a pilgrimage to Mecca). In 2018, Ramadan starts on May 16 and runs until June 14. Unlike Christians, Muslims do not eat at all during the month. Drinking is also prohibited. And also to have fun, smoke, make love and even think about all this. But then in the afternoon, Muslims pray earnestly, and before prayer they must show intention (Niyat) - a sincere desire to observe the fast, without violating it either physically or mentally. After sunset, the life of the faithful returns to normal.

In general, nothing extraordinary. In Ramadan, as in any other time, people work, raise children, study. Although, in some places, on this occasion, local authorities introduce a shortened day.

End of post

The holiday of breaking the fast (in Arabic Eid al-Fitr, and in Turkic Uraza-Bayram) for a religious Muslim is much more long-awaited than his own birthday. He, like the ringing of a bell, announces that a person has coped with the most difficult test in the name of God. Uraza is the second most important Muslim celebration after Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice, which coincides with the last day of the pilgrimage to Mecca.

They begin to prepare for the end of Ramadan in advance: a major cleaning of the house and yard is carried out, people prepare festive dishes and the best outfits. The distribution of alms is considered an obligatory ritual. This compensates for the mistakes that a person could make during fasting. At the same time, they donate either money or food.

Establishment of a holiday

According to Islamic traditions, the holiday of Ramadan Bayram was established by the founder of Islam himself - the prophet Muhammad. It happened in 624. Since then, the ummah, that is, the worldwide community of believers, celebrates this day every year, as required by their religion.

The image of the celebration

In Christianity, during Easter, believers greet each other with the words "Christ is risen!". A similar exclamation on Ramadan Bairam among Muslims is the phrase in Arabic "Eid Mubarak!". It translates as follows: "Blessed holiday!". The days of celebration in most traditionally Muslim countries are considered holidays at the state level, which means that at this time almost everyone has days off and no one works. The day begins with a ritual bath. Then a visit to the mosque is obligatory, in which a public prayer is held with the reading of a special text - Eid-namaz. This is a special prayer in Arabic dedicated to this holiday, and therefore it is read only once a year.

Features of Eid Prayer

This ceremony begins at dawn and continues until lunchtime. At its core, it is a form of prayer. It is best to do it in a mosque together with other believers, but if circumstances prevent this, then prayer can be performed at home alone, but also no later than the lunch azan. In addition to prayer on this day, you need to give zakat - obligatory alms, which is one of the pillars of Islam. Moreover, this should be done before the holiday prayer begins. Ramadan Bayram should be celebrated by all Muslims, these days it is not supposed to mourn, and therefore alms-zakat are most often given to the poor so that they can buy new clothes and eat well.

What do they do on holiday

Like any celebration, Bayram is a holiday on which tables are laid and refreshments are put. Believers go to visit each other and invite them to their place to share a friendly meal. It is also very important to visit your parents and other relatives. If this cannot be done personally, then at least it is required to send a postcard, or somehow convey your congratulations. Ramadan Bayram also requires that all the sick, the lonely and the poor are not forgotten. Therefore, religion prescribes paying attention to such people and participating in their lives with a gift, a visit and a treat. Children, as a rule, also receive gifts from their parents and spend time in games and fun. Also, deceased relatives are not forgotten in Bayram. The holiday assumes that believers will visit the graves of their dead and perform funeral prayers for them. As for the enemies, the traditions of this day require a person to reconcile with everyone with whom he was in a quarrel, and make peace.

There is also a special tradition to pray on the night before the holiday. According to Islamic traditions, prayers offered at night on the eve of the Bayram holiday have a special power - the ear of Allah is especially attentive to them, and if a person pronounces them sincerely, then they are credited to a person. The only thing is that it is recommended not to abuse the vigils on the festive night, so as not to oversleep the most important prayer in the mosque in the morning.

The meaning of the holiday

In general, in Islam there are only two dates for Muslim holidays, the significance of which is so great. In addition to Bayram described above, this is Eid-ul-Adha - the day dedicated to the completion of the pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca to the Kaaba. Bayram, as mentioned above, is the result of the Ramadan fast, in which every believer is prescribed to abstain from food, drink, entertainment and intimacy until sunset. This is done in order to temper willpower, free up time for spiritual exercises, do good deeds, pacify desires and extinguish your passions. Both Hajj and fasting are efforts on oneself, undertaken in order to advance along the path offered by Islam. It is the completion of successful spiritual work that is celebrated on these great holidays. At the same time, existing moral norms require Muslims to maintain in themselves the level of perfection that was achieved during these pious exercises. That is, the end of the holy fast of Ramadan does not mean that now you can return to all your old sins and bad habits. Quite the opposite, leaving once, they must be left forever, and thus the time of fasting becomes a time of inner transformation. This is necessary to arouse the pleasure of Allah and his approval.

What is Ramadan holiday?

The Muslim calendar, which is based on the lunar year, usually has a few holidays that are of great importance to all Muslims. However, such a holiday as Ramadan is given special preference.

Ramadan, also known as Ramadan, is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Ramadan is considered a month of strict fasting. According to Muslim custom, the first spiritual revelation was delivered to the Prophet Muhammad through the Messenger Jibril in this month. All this happened in 610, when Muhammad was in the cave of Hira, which is located not far from Mecca, where he quite often retired for religious services. This and subsequent revelations, which were sent to the prophet, constituted the sacred book of Islam, referred to as the Koran.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the main obligations for all Muslims. It is prescribed in order to increase the awareness and appreciation of the Muslims' own actions and the exact execution of the orders of Allah. During the whole day it is strictly forbidden: to eat, drink, indulge in various amusements and taste pleasures. Muslims devote daytime to prayers, reading the Koran, charity, work, as well as religious thoughts and deeds. In addition to the standard 5 prayers, every day, with the advent of night, an additional prayer-prayer is also read, which is referred to as tarawih. As a rule, taraweeh is read after the fifth prayer. In the last decade of the month of Ramadan, a more active righteous life is led, including the commemoration of the night when the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation. In this month, you can drink and eat food only after sunset and until the time when it rises. Only children, sick people, and even soldiers who take part in hostilities are exempt from fasting, but still, an unfulfilled fast must necessarily be compensated at other times. According to the statement of the mullah, during Ramadan, Allah bestows a reward on the pious for every mercy done by him.

The end of the fast and the holiday of Ramadan is the second most important among all Muslim holidays - Eid al-Fitr, which is considered the holiday of breaking the fast. It begins to be celebrated with the arrival of sunset on the last day of Ramadan and is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of the month of Shawwal following Ramadan. At this time, all Muslims should think about the spiritual values ​​that they acquired during the celebration of Ramadan. Muslims consider this holiday a day of salvation, forgiveness, reward and reconciliation.

The celebration of the holiday begins with a special prayer in the mosque. After the end of the prayer, the Islamic priest asks Allah for acceptance of fasting and forgiveness. After all this, the believers, pulling the tasbih rosary, the whole crowd begin to read dhikr - these are the words of the ritual remembrance of Allah. Dhikr is carried out according to a special formula and in a certain way, out loud or to oneself, accompanying all this with certain body movements.

After prayer, a festive table is laid in the mosque and alms are distributed to the poor. Saadaka is charged from each adult on the day the fast ends during Ramadan. It is collected only from wealthy Muslims. It is listed as a voluntary donation.

In almost all Muslim countries, on the days of Eid al-Fitra, it is supposed to visit the graves of deceased relatives. On the second day of Eid al-Fitra, the fast of the month of Shawwal begins, which lasts 6 days.

The month of Ramadan 2017: the essence of fasting, schedule, calendar, what is prohibited in Ramadan

The month of Ramadan 2017 (Muslim fasting) begins on the evening of May 25 with the onset of the evening after the moon is visible in the sky, and these data are so far, according to preliminary calculations.

As for the exact date of the beginning of the month of Ramadan, depending on the countries of the world, it can begin 1 day ahead or later, according to the decision of the highest religious ranks. As the month of Ramadan approaches, the exact date of the beginning of the fast will be determined by the leaders of the religious clergy of each country in Islamic countries, individually.

The beginning of fasting in 2017 within the holy month of Ramadan is considered from the morning of May 26 and it lasts 30 days (± 1 day) depending on the lunar calendar in various countries of the world according to the decision of the ulame councils.

Essence of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is the month of cleansing from sins and fasting in this month is considered one of the 5 pillars in the Islamic religion. The month of Ramadan (Ramadan) begins after the end of the month of Shaaban and after Ramadan the month of Shawal begins. It was in the month of Ramadan that the holy book “Koran” was sent down to the peoples of the world, in which it is clearly written about this month that righteous Muslims need certain days in the month of Ramadan to categorically refrain from prohibited acts (gunas) and in the daytime refuse to eat and drink.

Month of Ramadan 2017

In fact, this month is also called "Ramadan" by many nations. It is the ninth in the Muslim calendar. If you use the Gregorian calendar, then every year the beginning of the month will change. This holiday is the most important and most revered for all Muslims. This holiday month falls on May 26 this year. The holiday month ends on June 25th. This year Ramadan is 30 days long.

Each new month in the Islamic lunar calendar begins immediately after the new moon. It is worth considering that the lunar calendar tends to be shorter than the Gregorian, for this reason the shift in the start date of fasting occurs by about 11 days in relation to the modern calendar. It is also worth remembering that in countries with a Muslim population, the beginning of Ramadan is determined using astronomical calculation, and in all others due to direct observation of the moon. You can also use the authoritative statements of famous Muslims, which can determine the beginning of the holiday. For this reason, the definition of the beginning of the fast differs depending on the location of the state in which the faithful live.

Features of Ramadan

Contemporaries attribute this holiday to the list of obligatory for all Muslims. This month marks the fasting, which is also called saum. He is one of the pillars of modern Islam. Throughout the month, devout Muslims are forbidden to eat during the daytime. Also, they are not allowed to drink, smoke and make love throughout the holiday, the purpose of which is to atone for all their sins. In other words, fasting is a test for willpower, after which the spirit of a person will be able to triumph over his carnal desires. The faithful can focus their attention on the inner world. This will reveal or destroy sinful inclinations, as well as repent of the sins already committed. A person gets a chance to overcome his own pride and face the will of the Creator. The duration of this post usually ranges from 29-30 days, which is explained by the peculiarities of the lunar calendar. Fasting begins at dawn, and ends only at sunset or the evening azan.

Intention to Fast Ramadan

Before embarking on a fast, the faithful need to pronounce their intentions, the form of which will be something like this: “I want to fast Ramadan today, for the sake of Allah.” Muslims must 30 minutes before dawn to cope with the morning meal and start breaking the fast. This meal is called suhoor, and breaking the fast is iftar. You should break your fast with water, milk or dates, as well as other products. Every day after the completion of the evening prayer, the faithful perform a collective tarawih prayer, which includes from 8 to 20 rak'ahs. The final stage of the month is associated with the onset of the night of al-Qadr. On the first day of Shawwal, timed to coincide with the end of Ramadan, they break the fast. At this moment, Muslims perform an early morning holiday prayer. Also, the obligatory alms must be paid by the faithful, which is called zakat al-fitr. This festival is the second most important for the Muslim community around the world.

Giving up needs to strengthen the human spirit

Thanks to the complete abandonment of the most basic human needs during hot days, it allows the faithful to prove how strong their faith is. During this period, Muslims try to cope with their passions and instincts. In addition to external cleanliness, it is also necessary to maintain internal cleanliness during this period of time. This means that a Muslim must be free from various thoughts that can defile a person. The fast of the faithful, who could not achieve the purity of his thoughts and actions, cannot be considered completed, since "Allah does not need to refrain from eating and drinking the one who did not leave a lie." Muslims are of the opinion that the spiritual and physical fasting of Ramadan can significantly improve the state of a person's spirit.

Ramadan and Quran

Fasting is valid only for a certain number of days. If a person is sick or wandering, he can reschedule the fast for another time. Those who can fast while doing deeds should atone for their deed by giving charity to the poor. If someone did a good deed out of personal convictions, then this will be credited to him. It was during this month that the faithful received the Koran. This book is a true guide for man. Those of the Muslims whom this month finds must fast. And here is an excerpt from the Koran, which directly speaks of Ramadan and its impact on Muslims - “Allah wishes you relief and does not wish you hardship. He wants you to complete a certain number of days and praise Allah for having guided you to a straight path. Perhaps you will be grateful."

At this time, Muslims need to perform their prayers with maximum responsibility than at other times. The month should be devoted to the study of the Qur'an and the performance of good deeds. Muslims must also give voluntary (sadaqah) and obligatory (zakat) alms. Many Muslims who, for various reasons, do not pray, usually begin to observe this rule of Islam again during this period. For this reason, the faithful are so enthusiastically awaiting the arrival of Ramadan.

What is forbidden in Ramadan?

During the fast, it is forbidden to perform several actions. It is worth considering that it is in the light period of the day that they are considered a violation of the fast. This is about:

Unspoken desire to fast;
Intentional eating and drinking;
smoking;
Sexual contacts (it doesn't matter if there was an ejaculation or not), masturbation and ejaculation caused by stimulation;
Rectal and vaginal use of drugs;
Swallowing liquid that has entered the mouth.
What is allowed in Ramadan
At the same time, the law does not prohibit doing:

Unintentional eating and drinking;
The introduction of a drug means due to injections;
donate blood;
Swim, but only if water does not enter the mouth;
Kissing if the partner's saliva is not swallowed;
To enjoy caresses that do not cause ejaculation;
Swallow saliva and sputum that does not belong to another person;
Brush your teeth, but with the condition that the paste does not penetrate the throat;
Do not perform prayers.
Persons released from the post
Those who are not Muslims have the right not to follow the rules. Also children under the age of majority and people with mental disorders. Ramadan may not be observed by the elderly and people who suffer from serious illnesses that do not allow them to cope with fasting. To atone for this they have to feed the poor. Pregnant women can also not follow the fast if they are worried about their own or the health of the baby. They should follow Ramadan after the worries have gone. As mentioned earlier, travelers can break their fast in any physical condition or difficulty of the chosen route. If a person does not observe Ramadan, then he should not show eating or smoking to other Muslims. Also, in countries where the Muslim population predominates, it is forbidden to eat, smoke or use chewing gum during Ramadan.

Mandatory requirements
It is very important for those who are fasting to communicate their intention. The intention must be pronounced with the heart. For this, you can use any language that will be understood by fasting people. If you translate this phrase into Russian, then it should look something like this - "I intend tomorrow (today) to fast the month of Ramadan, for the sake of Allah." You need to pronounce this phrase every day for the whole month. The phrase is repeated between the night and morning prayers. An intention that was uttered once a month for all subsequent days is not considered valid in any Sunni madhhab. The only exception is the Maliki madhhab.

What to do in case of violation of the post

If the fast is broken, and there are no good reasons for this, then this offense will be attributed to sins. In case of unintentional breaking of the fast due to severe illness, the Muslim should perform the missed fast on the 1st day of the fast. It is also fashionable to pay the poor a certain amount, which is equal to 1 sa of wheat. Other products purchased for an equivalent amount may also be used. If the fast was missed for another good reason, then the faithful must observe it at any convenient time before the time for the next Ramadan comes. Sexual intercourse that was committed during the daylight hours must be made up for with 60 days of constant fasting or feeding 60 poor people. If the fast is not observed for a reason that is provided for in the Sharia, it is necessary to engage in repentance.

good deeds
Based on the hadiths and the Koran, doing good deeds during this period is considered to be very important for Muslims. If you follow the words of the prophet, Allah can increase the value of each such act seven hundred times, and the devil will be in chains during this period, so doing good during this period will be easier than at other times of the year. Devout Muslims should spend more time studying the Quran this month. They should not forget about almsgiving, as well as do other positive deeds.

Breakfast (Suhoor) at dawn
Suhoor is a breakfast that is taken at dawn throughout Ramadan. Food should be taken before morning prayer is to be read. Suhoor and iftar allow you to replace the usual meals this month for all the faithful. Muslims must perform suhoor before the first sign of dawn. In this case, the reward for the faithful will be much greater. If the fasting person is not satisfied before dawn, then his fast will be kept, but he will be deprived of a certain part of the reward, since he will not fulfill one of the requirements of the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad.

Evening meal (Iftar)

Iftar is breaking the fast or eating in the evening every day throughout Ramadan. There should be after the evening prayer is performed. Iftar can only start at sunset. Do not postpone this meal until later in the evening. To break the fast according to the Sunnah, you should use dates or water. When the iftar is completed, it is necessary to say a special prayer, which is called a dua. It may sound something like this: “O Lord, for the sake of Your pleasure with me, I fasted, believed in You, relied on You and broke the fast using Your gifts. Forgive me, O He Whose mercy is infinite. Praise be to the Almighty, Who helped me to fast and fed me when I broke my fast.”

Taraweeh in the month of Ramadan

Taraweeh can be translated as respite. This name is given to a special voluntary prayer that should be performed after the night prayer. It continues until the sun appears at dawn. Taraweeh can be done alone or in a group. Prayer got its name due to the fact that after every fourth rakah, the worshipers get the opportunity to rest while sitting, bringing praise to the Lord.

During the life of the prophet, taraweeh consisted of 8-20 rak'ahs. Modern prayer includes 20 rak'ahs. It was approved by Caliph Umar, to which the Sahaba agreed. Today, the prayer is represented by 10 prayers, each of which consists of two rak'ahs. It must be performed daily throughout Ramadan. Prayer should begin after the end of the night prayer.

End of Ramadan

During the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims should be especially diligent in their prayers. During this period, it is best to visit mosques, as did the Prophet Muhammad, who retired to the mosque for the entire period. In the last year of his life, he spent 20 days in the mosque during the month of Ramadan. During solitude, do not forget about the need to pronounce your intentions. They should mention that you have decided to spend seclusion in itikaf. After the believer leaves the mosque, you need to return to the usual form of intentions. During this period, the night of al-Qadr should be expected.

Night of al-Qadr in 2017

This night is also called the Night of Power. It is generally accepted that exactly the 27th night of this month coincides with the period when the surah “Inna anzalnagu” was revealed to Muhammad.

This happened in the seventh century in the cave of Jabal al-Nur mountain. It was at this time, which is confirmed by Islamic sources, that the praying Muhammad met with the archangel Jabrail, who pointed the prophet to the scroll and ordered him to read it. Muslims celebrate this night at the end of Ramadan. It is on the Night of Power that the faithful get the opportunity to ask forgiveness from the Creator for their own sins. Also, this period should be devoted to reading the Qur'an.

Feast of Eid al-Fitr

At the end of Ramadan, a feast of breaking the fast is held, which is called Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr in the Turkic language. Ramadan 2017 is celebrated on June 25th. During this period, Muslims can make a special prayer, as well as pay alms. Zakat al-Fitr is alms that must be paid to the poor. The performance of this act is obligatory for all believers. The head of the family must be paid a certain amount of money for the whole family, which he takes care of. If the child was born on the night of the last day of Ramadan, then there is no need to pay alms for him.

Almsgiving
You can pay zakat al-fitr in the mosque to a person who is authorized to receive it. You can also distribute food directly to those who need it. Alms is equal to one saa of bulk substances. For example, in Europe it is customary to pay alms in the equivalent of wheat or barley, in Asia rice is used for this, and dates in the Middle East. It is best to pay zakat al-Fitr with food, as was customary in the time of the prophet. It is possible to pay alms in money only in the Hanafi madhhab. This obligatory charity allows you to atone (kafarra) for all kinds of mistakes that were made during the period of Ramadan. It is also called upon to provide assistance to the poor and those who need funds for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

Congratulations on Ramadan

Lent continues to be the most joyful holiday for the faithful on the entire planet. Muslims can congratulate their friends and loved ones on his arrival thanks to the words of Ramazani Kareem, which are the wishes of a generous Ramadan. Traditionally, at this time, you can wish Muslims - “May Allah please your eyes in Ramadan with sweet evenings and the friendship of the elect, the mercy of the All-Forgiving and the paradise of the pious!”.

Uraza calendar 2017: the feast of breaking the fast, which marks the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan

Each nation has its own faith, and although significant holy holidays also do not differ much from each other, they always fall on different days, for example, in 2017, Ramadan (or Uraza) begins at dawn on May 26 and ends after sunset on June 24.

Uraza is the obligatory observance of saum (fasting) for Muslims for 30 calendar days, which consists of five pillars (foundations) of Islam. During these 30 days, Muslim believers must refrain from drinking, intimacy, smoking, and even eating. The beginning of the saum comes with the morning adhan and ends after the evening adhan after thirty days.

Before starting saum, Muslims read niyat: “I will perform saum of the month of Uraza today, for the sake of Allah.” Believers before the morning azan should finish eating (they call it suhoor) and immediately break the fast, it is allowed to take milk, dates and water for iftar.

Every night, believers perform the rite of isha (prayer for the night), after which there is a collective tarawih prayer, it consists of 8 to 20 rak'ahs. The mighty night of al-Qadar comes ten days before the end of the saum.

Uraza Bayram is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, which comes at the end of Ramadan. Muslims perform eid prayer (holiday prayer) and obligatory pay zakat al-fitr (alms).

Uraza calendar 2017: Uraza is a time of fun and joy

Uraza Bayram is the second most important holiday in the Islamic calendar after Kurban Bayram. On the eve of the holiday, Muslims buy gifts for each other, prepare treats, and decorate their homes.

Four days before the holiday, women carry out a general cleaning of the house, court premises, barns, and clean cattle. After cleaning is over, all family members should bathe, put on clean linen and clean themselves up.

In the evening, the hostesses prepare traditional oriental dishes. Children carry them to their relatives, there is a mutual exchange of treats.

Eid al-Fitr is not allowed to work, so in most Islamic countries this day is a day off. In Russia, they will also have holidays in the republics of the North Caucasus, Bashkortostan and Tatarstan.

On the holiday itself, it is customary to get up early and put on festive clothes. Muslims greet each other in a special way: “May Allah send His mercy to both you and us!”, “May Allah accept our and your prayers!”.

An hour before sunrise in mosques, after the sermon, they read a festive prayer - Gaet-Namaz. The prayers are mostly attended by men only. Women at this time prepare treats at home.

After the arrival of men from the mosque, the hostesses set the table. In each house they are waiting for the arrival of guests, they also visit their neighbors, relatives and bring them sweets.

Before the start of the holiday, alms (fitr-sadaqah) are obligatory - the distribution of property and money to those in need on a holiday. This year the minimum amount is 50 rubles.

In addition, on Eid al-Fitr, it is customary to visit parents, do good deeds, give gifts, visit cemeteries and commemorate deceased relatives.

Uraza calendar 2017: These days, giving alms is not just a possible solution for a Muslim, but it is an obligatory action

Eid al-Fitr, sacred to all Muslims, in 2017 will begin on June 25 and will last until June 28. This date can be found using the lunar calendar, which correlates with the Islamic calendar.

Now we need to find the month of Shawwal, which immediately follows Ramadan. This is the end of the search, because the holiday of Eid al-Adha falls on the first three days of the month of Shawwal. There are many lesser known but important rules. For example, it is important to take food with your right hand.

If you use cutlery, it should also be in your right hand. It is very important to show special attention and hospitality to guests, even if they are your longtime friends: you need to leave the best food, choose the best places for guests and make them feel at home, without a hint that they are still visiting.

What is customary to cook for the holiday table?

The main product from which most of the festive dishes on Eid al-Fitr are prepared is lamb. Rich soups, roasts, snacks, meat salads are made from it.

The festive table depends on folk traditions. If in Tatarstan they bake pancakes in the morning, put pies on the table, then in the Central Asian republics pilaf is an indispensable attribute.

Russian Muslims, like their foreign co-religionists, celebrate on Tuesday one of the two main religious holidays of the year - Eid al-Fitr, known in the Russian Federation and under the Tatar name - the holiday of breaking the fast. It marks the end of the fast that lasted the entire holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan or Ramadan is one of the months of the Muslim (lunar) calendar. In accordance with one of the five pillars of Islam, during the month of Ramadan, devout Muslims must fast from the morning prayer (Fajr, coming at dawn) to the evening prayer (Maghrib, coming at sunset). Fasting is also called "Ramadan" just like the name of the month. In the Turkic languages, the name Uraza is more common.

The beginning of each month of the Islamic lunar calendar is the day after the new moon. The lunar calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar by about 11 days, so every year, the start date of Ramadan shifts about 11 days back from the modern calendar. It should also be taken into account that in some Muslim countries the first day of Ramadan is determined by astronomical calculations, and in others by direct observation of the moon, or can be determined based on the announcement of authoritative people in the Muslim world. In this regard, the beginning of a religious holiday may differ depending on the host country or weather conditions.

In addition to a complete ban on eating during fasting, it is also forbidden to have sex, get angry. Internal injections, smoking and other things also break the fast. Accidentally swallowing water during ablution and other unintentional actions do NOT break the fast.

The sick, travelers, pregnant women and women during menstruation are exempted from fasting. The mentally ill and children (before the onset of puberty) are also exempt from fasting.

If someone is temporarily released from fasting (for the reasons listed above, except for the mentally ill and children), he is obliged to make up for the missed days after the end of the month of Ramadan. For unauthorized or accidental violation of fasting, a Muslim is also obliged to repent by feeding the poor.

This month, doing good deeds is considered especially important. According to the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, Allah increases the significance of each of them by 700 times. Faithful Muslims in Ramadan try to spend more time in prayer and reading the Koran, to give alms. In honor of the end of the month of Ramadan, a feast of breaking the fast (Eid al-Adha) is held.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated all Muslims of the country on the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the Kremlin press service reported on Tuesday. The congratulations read, in part:

- The followers of traditional Islam in our country always widely and with special reverence celebrate this bright holiday. It reminds of eternal moral values ​​- justice and mercy, striving for creation and caring for others. It is gratifying that in the new 21st century the spiritual life of millions of Russian Muslims is becoming richer and more diverse. And your contribution to strengthening public harmony and mutual understanding between the peoples of our single multinational Motherland is becoming more weighty and significant. I am sure that you will continue to take care of preserving the traditions of the faith, and promote the development of a fruitful interfaith dialogue., says the congratulations.

Mentions in the Quran

“Fasting should be a number of days. And if any of you is sick or on a journey, then let him fast the same number of days at another time. And those who are able to fast with difficulty should feed the poor in expiation. And whoever does a good deed voluntarily, so much the better for him. But you'd better fast if you only knew!" (Quran: 2:184, translation by E. Kuliyev)

“In the month of Ramadan, the Qur'an was sent down - the right guidance for the people, clear evidence of the right guidance and discernment. Those of you whom this month finds must fast. And if someone is sick or on a journey, then let him fast the same number of days at another time. Allah desires ease for you and He does not desire hardship for you. He wants you to complete a certain number of days and praise Allah for having guided you to a straight path. Perhaps you will be grateful." (Quran: 2:185, translation by E. Kuliyev)

Ramadan is a month of fasting and spiritual cleansing, in different Muslim countries it can begin at different times - it depends on the method of astronomical calculation or direct observation of the phases of the moon.

Muslims congratulate each other on the onset of Ramadan, since it was during this month that the Holy Quran was sent down, which plays a special role in the life of every true believer.

Holy month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan, which Muslim believers consider their main duty of the year, is very important in Islam. This is a sacred month of obligatory fasting and daily prayers - a time to earn eternal Paradise.

In the holy month of Ramadan, many things can be rewarded with great rewards: fasting, five daily prayers (namaz), the Taraweeh prayer, sincere supplication-du "a, evening (iftar) and pre-dawn meals (suhoor), as well as donations and many others good deeds and deeds.

The righteous believe that fasting helps a Muslim to control negative emotions and qualities, such as anger, hatred, greed, and also to fight the passions that overcome him.

In Islam, they hope to get closer to the Almighty through fasting. And in view of the fact that approaching Allah is the meaning of the life of the faithful, fasting occupies an important place in Islam. First of all, fasting is designed to pacify the soul and body, as well as accurately fulfill the instructions of Allah.

How to fast

The holy fast of Ramadan begins at dawn and ends at sunset - in the daytime, the faithful refuse to eat.

In Islam, during fasting, two nightly meals are provided: suhoor - pre-dawn and iftar - evening. It is desirable to complete the pre-dawn meal at least half an hour before dawn, and iftar should begin immediately after the evening prayer.

Compliance with these two meals is encouraged with an additional reward, although skipping is not a violation of the fast. According to the Quran, the best food for a night meal is water and dates.

pre-dawn meal

Even the Prophet Muhammad spoke about the importance of the pre-dawn meal. He said: "Take food before dawn on the days of fasting! Verily, in the suhoor - God's grace (barakat)!"

Muslims throughout Ramadan spend the morning meal before dawn. They believe that Allah will greatly reward such an action. Overeating during suhoor is not worth it, but you should eat enough food - it gives strength for the whole day.

Evening meal

The evening meal should be started immediately after sunset, that is, after the fourth, penultimate prayer on this day.

Isha - night prayer - the last of the five obligatory daily prayers, follows after iftar. Doctors do not recommend skipping iftar, it can have a bad effect on the body.

What You Can and Can't Eat

It is recommended to consume complex carbohydrates during suhoor - vegetable salad, sprouted grain bread, cereal dishes. Complex carbohydrates will provide the body with energy, despite the fact that they are digested for a long time. Dried fruits - dates, nuts - almonds and fruits - bananas are also suitable.

In the morning, you should not eat protein foods - it loads the liver, which works without interruption during fasting. At this time of the day, you should not eat fried, fatty and smoked foods, as well as fish, as you will want to drink after it. You also need to give up coffee.

Meat and vegetable dishes can be eaten during iftar, as well as cereals and sweets in small quantities. By the way, sweets can be replaced with dates or fruits. But you need to drink a lot of water. You can also drink compote, tea, fruit drink, juice and jelly.

It is not advisable to take fatty and fried foods in the evening - it will cause heartburn and be deposited in extra pounds. Fast food products - various cereals in bags, should also be excluded from the evening diet. Such dishes will not satiate you, and in just an hour or two you will want to eat again, as they contain salt and other spices.

During the fast of Ramadan, it is better to exclude sausages and sausages from the menu altogether. Sausages that have a bad effect on the liver and kidneys and satisfy hunger for only a few hours can develop thirst.

Ramadan Rules

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for every adult Muslim. During fasting, everyone must adhere to the established rules - pray a lot and confirm daily their intention to participate in this holiday in the name of Allah.

Muslims during the month of Ramadan in the daytime, in order to atone for their sins, refuse not only food, but also drinking, smoking and intimacy.

Ramadan is a holy month, which is designed to purify the soul and body, to rethink life in general. Therefore, Allah will not count the fulfillment of religious duty without daily prayers (prayers).

To abstain during this strict fast should be from evil thoughts and intentions, to perform prayers more often, to avoid discrediting acts and impious people.

Old people and warriors, sick people, travelers, pregnant and lactating women, as well as children are exempted from fasting during the holy Ramadan. Compensation of fasting is obligatory in another, more favorable period.

What not to do in a post

Fasting is violated in the holy month of Ramadan and the following actions require atonement (kaffar) - the deliberate intake of food, liquids, medicines and everything that is suitable for consumption, as well as smoking and marital intimacy.

Compensation is also required for the following circumstances that violate the fast: the use of an enema; getting drugs into the body through the nose and ears; water entering the nasopharynx during ablution; deliberate induction of vomiting; the onset of menstruation or the postpartum period.

A Muslim who breaks a fast must pay a certain amount of money or food to the needy, thus replenishing the fast.

Entering into an intimate relationship is one of the most serious violations. For this violation, a Muslim must either feed 60 poor people or observe 60 days of continuous strict fasting.

Night of Doom

The last ten days of fasting are especially strict and responsible, since the most important night of the year for every Muslim - Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Power and Predestination, falls on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

According to legend, it was at this time that the prophet Muhammad received the first revelations from the archangel Jabrail - he went down to the praying prophet and handed him the Koran. Although, some sources indicate that the Night of Power and Predestination falls on the 27th of Ramadan

This Night in the Holy Quran is dedicated to a whole sura - "Inna anzalnagu". It says that the Night of Power is better than a thousand months without it.

© photo: Sputnik / Alexander Polyakov

It is believed that the fate of every person - his life path, the difficulties and trials that he has to go through, is predetermined in heaven precisely in Laylat al-Qadr. And if the faithful spend this night in prayers, in understanding their deeds and possible mistakes, then Allah will be merciful and forgive him his sins.

Therefore, Muslims try to pray with great zeal during the holy month of Ramadan and follow the instructions of Allah. It is believed that for the good deeds performed during the period of Ramadan, Allah rewards the believers a hundredfold, endowing them with prosperity, health and good luck.

Voluntary prayer

Muslims throughout Ramadan should read the Koran, devote their time to pious thoughts and deeds, work and charity. In addition, one more prayer is added to the usual five prayers a day - "taraweeh".

"Tarawih" means a voluntary prayer, which is performed in the holy month of Ramadan after the night prayer (isha). "Tarawih" is an obligatory sunnah (sunnah of muakkyada) for both men and women.

The Prophet Muhammad performed this prayer on the 23rd, 25th and 27th nights of the month of Ramadan together with his companions in the mosque. And so that people would not perceive this prayer as obligatory, the prophet did not offer it daily.

After every four rak'yaats (the order of words and actions that make up the Muslim prayer), following the example of the companions of the prophet, it is advisable to take a short break. At this time, it is recommended to indulge in thoughts about God, praise and remember the Almighty, or listen to a short sermon.

Feast of Conversation

The holy month of Ramadan ends with the second most important holiday - Eid al-Fitr or the so-called Feast of Conversation. The holiday comes after sunset on the last day of Ramadan.

Muslims at this time should indulge in reflection on spiritual values ​​and rethink life during the period of fasting. Eid al Fitr is considered the holiday of salvation from hell - a day of love, reconciliation and friendly handshakes. On the holiday, it is customary to visit the disadvantaged and take care of the elderly.

The holiday begins with the onset of evening prayer time. From now on, it is desirable for all Muslims to read "takbir" (the formula for exalting Allah). Takbir is read before the holiday prayer on the day of the holiday. It is advisable to spend the night of the holiday in the all-night service to Allah.

On the holiday, the faithful put on clean clothes, scented with incense, put a silver ring on their finger and, after eating a little, go early to the mosque to perform the holiday prayer.

On the holiday, they pay the obligatory zakat al-fitr or “alms of breaking the fast”, show joy, congratulate each other and wish the Almighty to accept fasting, and also visit relatives, friends, neighbors and acquaintances and receive guests.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources