Ramzan - The History and Traditions

Fasting, Prayer and Introspection – It is the time for Ramzan!

Fasting is common in various religions, be it during Lent in Christianity or during Navratri among Hindus. In Islam – the most awaited, revered, and widely- followed period of fasting is Ramzan (Ramadan in Arabic).

Ramzan, which falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is the most significant time of the year for Muslims throughout the world.

It marks the month in which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by the archangel Jibril (Gabriel) in 610 CE.

The Islamic Lunar Calendar

• The month of Ramzan comes after Sha’ban and before Shawwāl.
• Unlike Gregorian calendar; the Islamic lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon. Months begin when a crescent new moon is spotted. The lunar calendar falls short of the solar calendar by 11 days. Thus, Ramzan falls on different dates each year. The advantage of a lunar calendar is that, unlike the Gregorian system, Ramzan is not stuck to any particular season over geographical regions. It is not as if Ramzan would lie only in summer for India. Instead, the month traverses over the seasons through the decades equitably for Muslims worldwide.  

The origin of Ramzan can be traced back to the life of Muhammad and various historical accounts and holy Islamic texts. Let’s have a look at how Ramzan came into being.

The Origin of Ramzan – Let’s Transport back in Time to 610 CE

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (570 CE – 8 June 632 CE) was an idealist and visionary who liked to spend time in solitude. He used to retreat to a cave named Mount Hira located on the mountain Jabal an-Nour, near Mecca, for meditation and introspection.

In the year 610 CE, when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was forty years of age, he was meditating like any other day in the cave on the 27^th day of Ramzan; when he had a vision of an archangel appearing before him.

The archangel Jibril (Gabriel)  asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to recite the following lines which constitute the opening verses of the Surah Al-‘Alaq :

"Recite in the name of your Lord Who creates.
Created man, out of a clot of congealed blood
Recite: And the Lord is the Most Bountiful
Who teaches by the pen,
He teaches man what he does not know."

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fled the cave fearing that he had been encountered by an evil spirit. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) returned home,  he recounted everything to his wife Khadija bint Khuwaylid. Khadija put his fears to rest and took him to her old cousin named, Waraqa ibn Nawfal.

Waraqa ibn Nawfal was a wise and a learned man who soothed him and convinced Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that he indeed has been chosen as a Prophet of God and the angel who visited him was the same divine messenger Jibril (Gabriel) who had also visited the Hebrew prophet Musa (Moses).

In the next twenty-three years, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) received further revelations via archangel Jibril.  This sacred knowledge inscribed in verses, was comprisesthe Holy Quran, the holiest book in Islam.

As a mark of paying gratitude to Allah (SWT) for imparting sacred knowledge to mankind; the Holy Prophet (PBUH) urged his followers to spend the holy month of Ramzan in fasting, and praying; making these 30 days the holiest in Islam.

“During the month of Ramadan the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance to the people with Clear Signs of the true guidance and as the Criterion (between right and wrong). So those of you who live to see that month should fast it, and whoever is sick or on a journey should fast the same number of other days instead. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation." ~ (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:185)

“Believers! Fasting is enjoined upon you, as it was enjoined upon those before you, that you become God-fearing.” ~ (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:183)

Laylat al-Qadr – The Night of Decree

Laylat al-Qadr, loosely translated as the “Night of Decree”, “Night of Power” or “Night of Destiny” is believed to be the night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Regarded as the holiest night of the year for Muslims; Laylat al-Qadr is traditionally celebrated on the 27^th day of Ramzan.

"Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah's permission with all Decrees, there is peace until the appearance of dawn.” ~ (Surah al-Qadr 97:1-5)

The Traditions of Ramadan – Time to Purify Soul

Fasting during the month of Ramzan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam as stated in the Holy Quran (2:183-185) – the other four being Salat (prayer), Kalma, Haj and Zakat. The entire month is devoted to fasting, praying and practising abstinence by all adult Muslims.

Fasting begins at dawn and ends at dusk each day.  Eating, smoking, drinking and sexual activity from sunrise to sunset is forbidden. Besides, having pure, positive thoughts and ethical behaviour is encouraged. During Ramzan; the spiritual rewards for good behavior are believed to manifold.   

Abu Hurayrah(RA) narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Imam Bukhari)

Ramadan is a time for spiritual introspection. It is the time to practice self-restraint, discipline and empathy for others who are less fortunate. Thus, encouraging actions of charity and generosity. The month-long fast is broken each day with an evening meal, known as iftar, shared amongst family and close friends; whereas the pre-dawn meal is called “suhoor.”

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, “When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened; the gates of Hell-fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” ~ (Sahih Bukhari 1800)

Violence during Ramadan

The very first revelation to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) included : "Recite: And the Lord is the Most Bountiful
Who teaches by the pen."

The emphasis on submission to Islam and to be submerged in the bounty and compassion of Allah (SWT) is therefore based on learning and not wanton violence. This is the first and most pressing behest of the Holy Quran for man to be taught by God what he does not know rather than attributing to himself the knowledge of paradise gained through murder and mayhem. Ramadan, therefore, is a month of peace and not a month for the spread of mindless terror by misguided Muslims who wrongly conclude that killing or dying without demur is the Jehad that the Quran enjoins.

Eid ul-Fitr – Culmination of Ramzan

Ramzan culminates in Eid ul-Fitr (also called Eid al-Fitr). It begins the day after Ramzan ends and the ‘Feast of Fast-Breaking’ lasts for three days. Eid ul-Fitr involves special prayers and elaborate meals with family and friends.

Fast, Pray, Read Quran, Contemplate and Give Charity – Ramzan is the time to cleanse soul!