Ramadan: the month of piety and tolerance
Regional, Religion, 11/29/2000

Before dawn or hearing the Meuzen ( call for prayer) believers usually take Suhour ( light breakfast) and at sunset or upon hearing al-Maghreb ( evening ) Meuzen believers end the fast by having al-Iftar ( meal).

In Surah (Quran chapter) " the Cow," God says "` and eat and drink until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of dawn. Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall." While in countries where the days or nights are very long, people usually estimate the day or night according to the time of the nearest Islamic region. God says:.." Allah desires for you ease. He desires not hardship for you; and ( he desires) that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure you may be thankful."

As a rule fasting is required of every Muslim who is mature, capable and not sick or travelling. Such people as women nursing children, women in menstruation, and those suffering from mental diseases or old age are all pardoned from observing the fast According to Sunna ( Prophet Muhammad's own sayings and deeds) Muslims observing the fat must totally comply with a number of provisions, including, breaking the fast immediately and without any delay at hearing al-Maghreb Meuzen, reciting a short prayer before having al-Iftar, taking Suhour, maintaining constant physical and spiritual cleanliness, declaring the intention to fast each day of Ramadan, holding Tarawih prayers, including more in the study of the Holy Koran and the prophet's teachings, boosting charity and constructive work, sharing al-Iftar with other people and relatives and frequenting Mosque particularly in the last ten days of Ramadan.

Moreover, Allah has pardoned those who unknowingly break the fast but upon recognizing it stop the violation and continue with the fast.

The Muslim observing the fats should refrain from insults, back- biting, bad temper, ill conduct, lying and cheating, and all other deeds pleasing the physical senses in excess. All forms of mating, smoking, unnecessary injection, or purposely introducing solid or liquid substance into the body also spoil the fast. If such violations and others are not totally avoided by believers than all they may win out of their fast is no more than hunger as the Prophet says.

Another major significance yet added to the merits of Ramadan is al-Qader ( Power) Night, at which the Glorious Koran was first revealed t prophet Muhammad. God says in Surah " al-Qader."

" Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power. Ah, what will convey unto thee what Night of Power is ! The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees. ( That Night is ) peace until the rising of dawn." The prophet urged all Muslims to investigate the Night of Power and stressed that all those who stay awake throughout the Night of Power, believing and considering, will have all their past guilt forgiven.

At the Conclusion of Ramadan the Mufti office declares the end of the fast and an official three-day in celebration of al-Fitr Eid ( feast).

It is customarily for believers to give Zakat ( almsgiving ) to the poor prior to the holding of Eid al-Fitr prayers.

Apart from for the numerous spiritual and physical merits of Ramadan yields to believers observing the fast, Muslims are promised as prophet Muhammad says, total mercy, forgiveness and finally redemption from fire.

The fasting occasion along with all relating activities and events are traditionally covered by the mass media of Arab and Islamic countries.

Throughout the year Ramadan has won great historical significance.

History tells that it was in Ramadan that the Glorious Koran was first revealed. Muslims won bader battle, al-Fitr almsgiving was imposed upon Muslims, Kaabah was rescued from the filthiness of paganism and idolatory, Tareq Bin Ziad defeated King Roderiguez, Sallah eddine al-Ayoubi defeated the Crusaders, Tartar's advance into the Islamic world collapsed and the Syrian ­ Egyptian armies launched in 1973 a liberation war against Israel also in Ramadan.

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