RAMADAN

"It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an an was
sent down as guidance for mankind with clear signs
containing guidance, and as the standard by which to
discern the true from the false.
Hence, whoever of you lives to see this month
shall fast through out it".

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year. It is the month of fasting and the month in which the Qur'an was revealed.

It was so named because it originally fell in the height of summer with days of intense heat.

Ramadan is derived from the Arabic verb ramad, which literally means to bake a sheep in its skin.

Similarly, the fasting person living the hot desert undergoes the sensations of burning in his stomach from the extreme thirst caused by the intense heat of the dessert.

In the same way, Muslims who fast are slowly burning away their sins.

The month of Ramadan gradually rotates backwards through all seasons and month.

The Muslim experience the discipline of fasting under all kinds of conditions in all seasons.

In winter the days are short and cold, making fasting easier.

While in summer the long hot days make fasting more difficult.

Autumn and spring bring an intermediate situation.

All Muslims who fast for a period of about thirty four years, in one place, will have fasted for the same amount of time, no matter where they live.