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On the Islamic calendar, the ninth month is the complete month of Ramadan, which marks as the most special of all occasions. It is a commemoration of the descent of the word God, the Quran, from the heaven to the Earth. It is the month in which the Quran was disclosed to the Prophet Mohammed.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims have a belief that the gates of the heaven are open wider than ever. Just as the word of God has come down, the word of believers goes up to God, more efficiently than any other time.
The date of Ramadan is decided on the basis of the lunar calendar, so it goes down by 11 days earlier each year than it did the previous year. Ramadan can only be affirmed by the sighting of a slender crescent moon in the sky.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Others are Shahada(faith), Salat(prayer), Zakat(charity) and Hajj(pilgrimage to Mecca). Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims; women, men, girls and boys who have attained the age of religious convention fast from dawn to dusk, refraining from food, drink, and other bodily pleasures.
Children, elderly, pregnant, post-natal, breastfeeding or menstruating women are excused, so are travellers or people who are physically or mentally not fit. Non-fasters can make it up by fasting at a subsequent date or feeding a person in need and may engage in the blessings of this month. While the fast is advantageous to health, it is mainly considered as a way of spiritual Self-purification.
Ramadan is just not abstinence from food or drink during the hours of daylight. It is the time for meditation, faithfulness and recognition of God, especially through the reading or recitation of the Quran. Persistent Self reflection and intensified God consciousness during the month of Ramadan is meant to overcome and restrain from familiar misdeeds, such as backbiting, holding grudges and telling lies.
