Salams: Where Muslim Meets
Open App
DOWNLOAD APP

What everyone should know about Ramadan

BY
The Salams Team

Why Do Muslims Fast?

Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan as an act of worship and devotion to God. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with declaration of faith, prayer, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Fasting during Ramadan is a way for Muslims to purify their souls, increase their faith and obedience to God, and gain a deeper understanding and empathy for those who are less fortunate. The fast is a reminder of the blessings of food and drink that many people take for granted, and it is a way to cultivate gratitude and generosity towards others.

In addition to the spiritual benefits, fasting has also been shown to have physical and mental health benefits. Fasting can help detoxify the body, improve digestion, and boost the immune system. It can also help develop self-discipline and mental fortitude, as well as enhance spiritual awareness and mental clarity.

Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan. However, there are exceptions for those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating. Muslims are also encouraged to engage in additional acts of worship during Ramadan, such as reading the Quran, performing extra prayers, and giving to charity.

Fasting during Ramadan is an important aspect of Islamic faith and practice. It is a way for Muslims to purify their souls, increase their faith and obedience to God, and gain a deeper understanding of the blessings in their lives. Through fasting, Muslims strive to become better people and to live more meaningful lives in service to God and others.

Why are the Last 10 days of Ramadan Important?

The last 10 days of Ramadan are considered especially important because they contain a night that is believed to be the most blessed night of the year - Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power).

Laylat al-Qadr is mentioned in the Quran and is believed to be the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is unknown, but it is believed to fall within the last 10 days of Ramadan, with most scholars suggesting that it falls on one of the odd-numbered nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th) of the month.

Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr is a night of great spiritual significance, with rewards and blessings multiplied many times over. It is believed that on this night, God's mercy and forgiveness are abundant, and prayers and supplications made on this night are more likely to be answered.

As a result, Muslims make special efforts during the last 10 days of Ramadan to increase their worship and devotion to God. They may spend extra time in prayer, reciting the Quran, making supplications, and engaging in acts of charity and kindness. Many Muslims also observe i'tikaf, a spiritual retreat in the mosque where they spend the last 10 days of Ramadan in seclusion, focusing on worship and reflection.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are a time of great spiritual significance and opportunity for Muslims. It is a time to seek God's forgiveness, to deepen one's connection with Him, and to strive to become a better person. Through their worship and devotion during this time, Muslims hope to gain God's mercy and blessings, and to purify their souls for the year ahead.

What is Laylatul Qadr?

It is beleived that Laylatul Qadr is the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is not known, but it is believed to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th) of the last 10 days of Ramadan. Muslims believe that on this night, the blessings and rewards for good deeds are multiplied many times over, and that sincere worship and supplication on this night are more likely to be accepted by God.

The significance of Laylat al-Qadr is highlighted in the Quran, where it is described as "better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3). Muslims believe that the blessings and rewards of this night are equivalent to worshiping God for 83 years and 4 months.

Muslims spend the Night of Power in worship and devotion, engaging in extra prayers, reciting the Quran, making supplications, and engaging in acts of charity and kindness. Many Muslims also observe i'tikaf, a spiritual retreat in the mosque where they spend the last 10 days of Ramadan in seclusion, focusing on worship and reflection.

The Night of Power is a time for Muslims to seek forgiveness, to deepen their connection with God, and to strive to become better individuals. Through their worship and devotion on this night, Muslims hope to gain God's mercy and blessings, and to purify their souls for the year ahead.


Get married, find Muslim friends, and network on Salams.
Download Salams