welcoming of the most important month!!!!!

The month of Ramadan holds a special place in
Islam and among Muslims because of two major
reasons:
Firstly, the book of eternal guidance the Holy
Quran was revealed upon Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) in this month.
Secondly, the 30days of fasting in this month
lead to the glorious and auspicious occasion of Eid
ul Fitr for Muslims.
Observance:
The month is given great importance by Muslims
and Muslims in each part of the world welcome
and observe this month with all the reverence,
prestige and dedication it deserves. The mosques
are filled with people, the recitation of Quran takes
place and people become charitable. In this month
Muslims make special preparations to ask of
forgiveness from Allah Almighty and plead for His
blessings and mercy.Ramadan?
Find the dates for Ramadan 2014 in the multifaith
calendar
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic
calendar, when Muslims fast during daylight hours.
There are several reasons why Ramadan is
considered important:
The Qur’an was first revealed during this month
The gates of Heaven are open
The gates of Hell are closed and the devils are
chained up in Hell.
The Qur’an revealed
The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the
Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs
for the guidance and the criterion (between right
and wrong)
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
The actual night that the Qur’an was revealed to
the Prophet Muhammad is called Lailat ul Qadr,
and to stand in prayer on this one night is said to
be better than a thousand months of worship.
Ramadan is often called ‘month of the Qur’an’
because of this, and Muslims attempt to recite as
much of the Qur’an as they can during the month.
Most mosques will recite one thirtieth of the Qur’an
each night during the Taraweeh prayers.
No one knows on which particular night the Qur’an
was first revealed, but it is said to be one of the
last ten nights of Ramadan.
The gates of Heaven are open and the gates of Hell
are closed
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be
pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are
opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the
devils are put in chains.”
(Agreed upon)
Muslims believe that their good actions bring a
greater reward during this month than at any other
time of year, because this month has been blessed
by Allah.
They also believe that it is easier to do good in
this month because the devils have been chained
in Hell, and so can’t tempt believers. This doesn’t
mean that Muslims will not behave badly, but that
any evil that they do comes from within
themselves, without additional encouragement from
Satan.
Almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits
during Ramadan, and some will try to become
better Muslims by praying more or reading the
Qur’an.
Muslims believe that this is one way that the
chaining up of the devils is manifested, since there
is no other reason for them to do so.
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Special practices
There are a number of special practices which are
only done during Ramadan.
Fasting the whole month long
Although Muslims fast during other times of the
year, Ramadan is the only time when fasting, or
sawm , is obligatory during the entire month for
every able Muslim.
Ramadan is intended to increase self-control in all
areas, including food, sleeping, sex and the use of
time.
Taraweeh Prayers
These are long night prayers, which are not
obligatory, but highly recommended.
Mosques are filled with worshippers who go to
attend these prayers, which usually last for one
and a half to two hours.
These prayers also give Muslims a chance to meet
at the mosque every day, and so they also help to
improve relationships in the Muslim community.
I’tikaf
I’tikaf refers to going into seclusion during the last
ten nights of Ramadan, in order to seek Lailat ul
Qadr by praying and reading the Qur’an. Some
people live in the mosque during this time for
serious reflection and worship. Others spend a few
hours at the mosque or home.
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The date of Ramadan
Find the dates for Ramadan 2014 in the multifaith
calendar
Confusion
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic
calendar and as with all months in the Islamic
calendar, its start is based on the sighting of the
new moon.
There can be confusion and disagreement over the
starting date of this month. Since the month is full
of blessings and marks the beginning of fasting, or
sawm , accuracy is very important.
Since Muslims live all over the world, but Islam
started in what is now known as Saudi Arabia, they
may not agree as to which country’s first moon
sighting marks the start of the month.
But although Muslims do often start and end
Ramadan on slightly different days, there is little
real ill.