Ramadan –It is a very important month for Muslims across the world and is also called as Ramazan.  Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and is observed by Muslims as a month of fasting all around the world including in India. As per Islamic belief, Ramzan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an Arabic word, which means dryness or scorching heat. It is celebrated as the month of fasting, praying (Ibadat), and doing good things for 29 or 30 days.

Ramzan is a most important month for Muslims Because of the Quran’s first revelation to Mohamad (A.S), the prophet. It is a month of blessings, worship, fasting, spiritual reflection, and enhanced devotions.  The Holy Quran was revealed in the sacred month of Ramadan which is a source of true guidance for all mankind.

Several Important Practices in Ramadan – There are several important practices in the holy month of Ramadan are as given below –

• Sehri – The word ‘’Sehri’’ comes from the Persian and is also known as Sahur or Suhoor in Arabic term or word. It is the time when the meal taken by Muslims early in the morning before Fajr (Morning) prayer (namaz) is called as Sehri and is the last meal before fasting.  Sehri is very important for fasting because it provides energy and avoids weakness, which is caused by the fast. In the past several years, people were awakened by beating drums in the Sehri time while roaring on the roads and streets and that person also called as ‘’Musahrati’’ must have good health and voice. Nowadays, the latest method is setting off an alarm on mobile phones. Normally, people get up at 3:30 A.M in Sehri for fasting (Roza)
• Iftar – The breaking of the fast at sunset by taking the meal with water is called Iftar. Generally, iftar is done by eating dales (Khajoor), drinking water, juice, pakora, or any soft drink including tea, and sweets.
• Fasting (Roza) – The fast (roza) starts in the early morning after Sehri and ends at sunset by taking meals in Iftar in the holy month of Ramadan. During fasting, Muslims avoid eating and drinking for the whole day. It is believed that fasting teaches self-control, sacrifice self-discipline, humanity, and cleanses the soul.  In addition, Muslims must abstain or to be restricted from illegal activities and also avoid sexual relationships with their partners. Generally fasting is observed from the early morning after Sehri to sunset on the Maghrib prayer (namaz), but Muslims who live in the polar region, observe or obey the timings of Mecca. Fasting is not compulsory for elderly people or those individuals with several serious medical issues.
• Recitation of Quran – Most of the Muslims usually try to recite the whole Quran in the holy month of Ramadan.
• Night Prayers – A ‘’Taraweeh” is very important night prayer for Muslims across the world where the Quran is recited during the prayer (Namaz)in the sacred month of Ramadan.
• Zakat or Charity – Muslims provide charity (zakat) to poor people with a fixed percentage of their income in the holy month of Ramadan before the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. According to Muslims, Ramzan teaches humanity, sacrifice, feeling of hunger and thirst during fasting, self-discipline, self-control, and empathy for those who are less fortunate.
• Laylatul Qadr Prayer – The holiest night in the holy month of Ramadan is called as ‘’Layla Tul Qadr’’ or ‘’Shab-e-Qadr’’. It is believed that the last 10 days of Ramzan are on odd numbers of nights such as the 23^rd, 25^th, 27^th, and 29^th nights of Ramadan. During the Shab-e-Qadr, Muslims pray the whole night on these nights in the holy month of Ramzan. A Muslim is also blessed with a night (Layla-tul-Qadr) which is better than a thousand months in the holy month of Ramzan.