About Ramadan
Ramadan is a religious observance of Islam that occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this time, Muslims around the world do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset in order to learn patience and humility. While fasting, those observing Ramadan will repent for their sins and pray more often than usual in order to ask forgiveness from God. After Ramadan, those who have participated are supposed to be cleansed and have a clear mind.
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Significance
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Muslims around the world consider the month of Ramadan and the religious observance that falls in that month to be the most important time of the year. This is when Qur'an was revealed to the ancestors of these people, which is one of the most important religious events in Islamic culture. It is a time to be granted forgiveness for sins made during the Islamic calendar year, and Muslims across the globe set up religious events throughout this time.
Features
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The most important feature of Ramadan is the fasting that occurs during the observance. This fasting is known as sawm. Every day during Ramadan, no one except those who happen to be exempt can eat or drink anything. They must also keep their mind and body pure, which means that from sunrise to sunset they must avoid non-religious activities. Four prayers are completed throughout the day. On the night the Qur'ran was revealed, known as Laylat al-Qadr, a feast is prepared to celebrate.
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Time Frame
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The Muslim calendar is based on a lunar cycle, which means that Ramadan falls during different times of the year in comparison to the calendar that is used globally. Each month begins when a new moon is spotted rising and ends with the setting of a full moon. Because the moon does not show at the same time at every point in the world, sometimes Ramadan can occur at different times for different areas of the world. The difference is a day at most, though.
Considerations
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While fasting is a typical part of every day during Ramadan, there are some people who are exempt from fasting. The elderly and the mentally ill are two groups that do not have to fast. In order to make up for this, though, they have to feed one poor or homeless person a day. Women who are pregnant, menstruating, or feeding an infant also do not have to fast, but must make up the days later in the year. The same goes for people who are traveling. Children are not generally meant to fast, though many do in order to prepare for later years.
Misconceptions
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Many people believe that when Ramadan is over, there is no more fasting among the Muslim community. However, for six days after, Muslims are encouraged to continue to fast and many do so in order to gain blessings from God. This extra fasting period is known as As-Sitta al-Bayd, which translates to "the white six." This occurs in the first month of the Muslim calendar year, which is called Shawwal.
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Resources
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