Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic) is the ninth month of the Islamic year. Siyam or Saum ("fasting" in English) is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam and one of the Branches of Religion in Shi'a Islam. Siyam requires fasting every day during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan reaches its height in its last ten days. One of the last five odd numbered days of the month is called the Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power), marking the date of the revelations of the first verses of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر) marks the end of Ramadan.

 

 

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan migrates throughout
the seasons. The estimated start and end dates for Ramadan are as follows:

• 2004 – First day: October 15, 2004; last day: November 13, 2004
• 2005 – First day: October 4, 2005; last day: November 3, 2005
• 2006 – First day: September 23, 2006; last day: October 22, 2006
• 2007 – First day: September 12, 2007; last day: October 11, 2007
• 2008 – First day: August 31, 2008; last day: September 29, 2008

Most Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but some insist on using the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. The date known as the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) falls on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, most likely on one of the odd nights. The Qur'an states that this night is better than a thousand months, and some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer. At the termination of the great month of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated. Muslims come out and rejoice with a sense of accomplishment for coming closer to Allah. It is a time for Muslim families and friends to worship and celebrate together.

Eating, drinking and sexual intercourse are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghrib). During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, angry/sarcastic retorts, gossip, and are meant to try to get along with each other better than normal. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities.

The Siyam can teach the believers patience and self-control. Most importantly the fast is also seen as a great sign of obedience by the believer to God. Faithful observance of the Siyam is believed to atone for personal faults and misdeeds, at least in part, and to help earn a place in paradise. It is also believed to be beneficial for personal conduct, that is, to help control passions and temper. The fast is also meant to provide time for meditation and to strengthen one's faith.

Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast, though some do. However, if puberty is delayed, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age. According to Qur'an, if fasting would be dangerous to people's health, such as to people with an illness or medical condition, and sometimes elderly people, they are excused. For example, diabetics and nursing or pregnant women usually are not expected to fast. According to hadith, observing the Ramadan fast is not allowed for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is usually considered acceptable not to fast are those in battle, and travelers who intended to spend fewer than five days away from home. If one's condition preventing fasting is only temporary, one is required to make up for the days missed after the month of Ramadan is over and before the next Ramadan arrives. If one's condition is permanent or present for an extended amount of time, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.

If one does not fit into one of the exempt categories and breaks his fast out of forgetfulness, the fast is still vaid. If, however, one intentionally breaks his fast, he must continue fasting for the remainder of the day but then make up for the entire day later. If one breaks the fast through consensual sexual intercourse, the trangressor must make up for the day by fasting for sixty consecutive days.

• This information was last modified 04:16, 6 November 2005 on the Wikipedia Site.
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