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Colour : Various colours.
Render : A mosque from Turkey and some school photos.
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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar – that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays “move” each year. In 2003 Ramadan begins on Oct. 27; in 2004 it will begin on Oct. 15.
For more than a billion Muslims around the world-including some 8 million in North America-Ramadan is a “month of blessing” marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. This year Ramadan precedes Christmas and overlaps Hanukkah.
But while in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized, Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to God (Allah in Arabic).
Why this month?
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to go out to the desert nearMecca (in today’s Saudi Arabia) to think about faith, society and God.
One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Quran.
At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Quran is recited each night in prayers known as Tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.
Why do Muslims fast?
Muslims practice Sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun is up as well as making a special effort to avoid sins. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in Sawm from about age twelve.
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as Iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.
How does Ramadan end?
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2003 occurs on November 26. Literally the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to Mosques.
Taken from here
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On the authority of Thawbaan , the Prophet said:
“The People will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their food.” Someone asked, “Will that be because of our small numbers at that time?” He replied, “No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be froth and scum like that carried down by a torrent (of water), and Allah will take the fear of you from the breasts (hearts) of your enemy and cast al-wahn into your hearts.” Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is al-wahn?” He replied, “Love of the world and dislike of death.” [An authentic hadith recorded by Abu Dawud and Ahmad]
In attempting to contemplate on the meaning of the Prophet’s words in the above hadith (and indeed on any of his noble sayings), one quickly comes to appreciate the Prophet’s statement:
“I have been given words which are concise, but comprehensive in meaning” [Bukhaari and Muslim].
The Messenger was blessed with the profound ability to utter several words which whole volumes could then be written about. In this striking hadith, the Prophet describes the situation of the Muslims with great accuracy, and also prescribes a remedy for the ailment.
“The People will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their food.”
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With this ample time, I’d like to wish all Muslims Salam Ramadan al-Mubarak! Today would be our first terawih and I’m so excited about it! There are many things that I think I should share over here.
Firstly is that, today would be my last day for Maths class as I have finally decided (together with Bindhu) that both of us will be stopping Maths tuition in order to concentrate more on other subjects.
It was our last lesson (planes and elevation) and any further ones would be more on revisions. Hence I really hope that with the time I buy, I could concentrate more on Accounts (especially those redundant homework I never completed!)
I also plan to stop my English tuition. I know it’d be a stupid decision as we’re still doing that essay course but unfortunately, I am really determined with my option. So Mr. Gerald, I believe that you should understand my situation. You’ve once told me that I must plan my timetable precisely. So yeah, this is what I’ll be doing.
I will stop English tuition so that I could go Accounts on Wednesday. To Mr. Gerald, I wish you all the best and most importantly thank you so much for your effort towards enhancing my English language. I couldn’t conceive myself not writing like this if you weren’t there to help me out. Gracias 
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My curiosity about the inevitable facts posed by Nostradamus has made me gone mad by downloading all his videos. In my opinion, I really think that History Channel has really done their job well. Not only the translation of each picture is described, some interviews by book authors are also shown to clarify the authenticity of the fact.
Being busy with all the pra exams has not really stopped me from being merely active in the internet world. I think I’m getting bored with the whole internet thingy that I have officially left my blog for days. Even if I’m online, there will not be anyone else so that is why sometimes I feel it’s like so pointless being the only active one when others are still busy studying.
I’m actually in the state of cataclysm. I started to notice how my attitude has changed towards study. It’s like I’m getting further apart from my pure intention of studying and gaining knowledge. It feels like the nur of the knowledge towards embarking Islam has getting far away gradually.
I don’t know if this is a new challenge for me. If this is even a test for me as some said that upon reaching towards our main gold, there will always be more challenges along that will deteriorate our beliefs.
I don’t know if you guys ever experience such odd feeling where you suddenly feel a sudden disappointment showering your thoughts and the only thing that you could think of is to give up. I always fear the feeling of competent and satisfaction towards my studies that I keep thinking that I’ve already done my part in my studies even if it means not studying at all.
I really hate it when I feel disappointed after I’ve strived for the best. The thoughts of blaming everything over faith and luck for all the bad things that happen is really not my style and view towards success. Guys, really, please help and pray for my peace and tranquility to ease my trembling heart. I always believe that those who are smart aren’t those who get good results and go retarded over it but they are actually those who strive for the best with what they believe.
O Allah, if all failures that you had given upon me are a way how you test my iman and takwa; I truly hope that you could assist me with all these challenges as I’m your weak and forgetful servant. O Allah, if this is the way how you spur my iman, please guide me towards the straight path and to the teachings of Islam.
O Allah, bless and shower me with all your blessings so that I could sail through all the troubles with sabar and iklhas. O Allah, if this is my last Ramadan, ease me by purifying my heart through my deed of fasting so that I could be a better person who constantly fights for your cause through my studies. O Allah, place me among the Muslimin and those who believe in the concept of tawakkal and shukur! Amin ya rabbal alamin!
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (PBUH) said;-Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will… have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).
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I was greatly amazed after watching History Channel on Nostradamus especially with his great prophecies of the world cataclysm events which are mostly believed true. Nostradamus (including the Mayans) had prophesied that the occurrence of Doomsday is getting near and it will fall on the year of 2012.
All scientists are still unsure how true this fact is but as a Muslim I have never doubted to the existence of Doomsday. There are many Quranic verses which precisely proclaim to the coming of Doomsday but the actual date is yet a secret.
Even if Doomsday were to happen on the year of 2012, I strongly believe that it’d either be the real oncoming destruction of the universe or as mentioned by some scientists whereby it might be an indication of a new era of human civilization in which I think would be the new era of Islamic world.
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