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All you need to know about Ramadan

ANGEL 0_0 — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:52:49 GMT

All you need to know about Ramadan

What is Ramadan?

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, is one of the most important periods in the Muslim year. It is a time of spiritual awakening, self-evaluation and remembrance of Allah, which Muslims observe through fasting and prayer. Ramadan teaches Muslims self-discipline, humility and giving. Charity is a significant part of Ramadan and Muslims are expected to help the needy.

For more than a billion Muslims around the world, it is a time for devotion to God and self-restraint, when communal nightly prayers are conducted and the basic teachings of Islam are emphasised and Ummah (Islamic nation) consciousness is heightened.

When does Ramadan fall?

Ramadan falls 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar and the duration of the fast changes depending on which season the month falls in.

The start of Ramadan, as that of all Islamic months, is based on the sighting of the new moon, the hilal, which is why the crescent is often used as an unofficial symbol of the month. The moon sighting is also the reason that the start of Ramadan differs from one country to another, but many opt to follow Saudi Arabian sightings to be able to mark the days together.

Who is required to fast?

As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting during Ramadan, which is considered one of the highest forms of worship, is obligatory for those Muslims past the age of puberty who are mentally and physically fit and not travelling, as long as it does not cause them physical or mental harm.

Those who cannot fast during Ramadan, owing to health or other reasons, may fast in other months, or feed the poor.

What exactly is required?

During a Ramadan fast, Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual activity from dawn till dusk. A fast consists of a true and verbal intention that must be recited, as well as a package of dos and don'ts which are specifically emphasised during the month.

Fasting, or sawm (literally refrain), did not become obligatory until 624 AD. It is an opportunity to cleanse the body and mind and promote the principle of sincerity by keeping the individual away from arrogance.

Among the greatest benefits is the lesson in self-restraint and discipline that could be carried forward to other aspects of a person's life, such as work and education.

A typical day of fasting begins with waking up before dawn to have a meal called the suhoor before the start of the fasting day. At sunset, Muslims usually break their fast upon the call for Maghreb (sunset) prayers with another meal called iftar. Prayers are conducted five times through the day, as they are on all days, and an extra set of prayers called Taraweeh is conducted after Isha or night prayers.

Work hours in the private sector are shortened by two hours for Muslims and non-Muslims.

Guide to Ramadan terms

Ramadan: The ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar.

Sawm: The Arabic word for fast.

Iftar: Ending of the fast immediately after sunset. Iftar takes place at the Maghrib Adhan (call to prayer) Traditionally the fast is ended with dates and water and is a time when friends and family come together

Suhoor: The pre-fast meal before dawn and Fajr (morning call to prayer).

Taraweeh: Special congregational prayers conducted after Isha (night prayer)

Qiyam-ul-Layl: Prayers during the last ten days of Ramadan, which

Eid Al Fitr: Three-day celebrations marking the end of Ramadan. It takes place on the 1st of Shawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

Fidya: Compensation for missing a fast, for those unable to, or wrongly practising it. Fidya usually takes the form of donating money, foodstuffs, or sacrificing an animal.

Zakat Al Fitr: Muslims give away a certain percentage of the total value of all that they own annually and distribute it to charity and the needy. The contribution given at the end of Ramadan.

Eid Mubarak: Greeting meaning "Have a happy and blessed Eid" expressed at the end of Ramadan.

copy from:

Gulf News

Published: 17:09 August 3, 2010

4 my friend...

ANGEL 0_0 — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:08:13 GMT

4 my friend...

I'll Always Be There

سوف أكون دائماً بجانبك

In times of trouble,

في أوقات الصعاب

In times of need,

في أوقات الحاجة

If you are feeling SAD,

عندما تشعر بالحزن

You can count on me.

بامكانك الاعتماد علي

I will give you a wink,

سوف أعطيك دافع

Until you smile,

حتى تبتسم

And stand by your side.

وأقف بجانبك

I'll be there for you till the end,

وسوف أكون هناك لك حتى النهايه

I'll always and forever, be your friend!

وسوف أكون دائماً والى الأبد صديقك

GOOD LUCK!

حظاً سعيداً

just 4 u my friend

why we need friends!!!

ANGEL 0_0 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:55:55 GMT

why we need friends!!!

We need our friends for many reasons,
No matter what the day or season...

We need friends to comfort us when we are sad,
And to laugh with when we are glad!

We need friends to give us good advice,
Someone we can count on to treat us nice.

We need friends to remember us when we have passed
Sharing memories that will always last.

We need friends to help us solve our troubles
And to share good times so the joy is doubled!

That's why we need friends...

my opinion
friends r important
so keep on loving and respecting them

Do you know what does (FAMILY)mean??

ANGEL 0_0 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:55:58 GMT

Do you know what does (FAMILY)mean??

F..father

A..and

M..mather

I..i

L..love

Y..you

^__^

Different Wedding Traditional ^__^

ANGEL 0_0 — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:00:26 GMT

Different Wedding Traditional ^__^

Hi everybody…I hope you all be fin and enjoy here I will tell you about yesterday's lesson. It was very interesting and funny in the same time and it was about different wedding traditional in different countries. I learnt many different wedding traditional in different countries. For example, in one culture they have a funny tradition with the bride's shoes. Here girlfriends write their names in her shoes. At the end of the day the bride looks into her shoes. If someone's name is missing that means they are the next person to get married. I really found it interesying lesson.

4 my friends....

ANGEL 0_0 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:40:40 GMT

4 my friends....

To day i regist in (englishbaby). It was very interesting and Iam very happy because I will have friends from all of the word. I hope I find good friends and have some fun time here,,,