Rabat – The sighting of the crescent moon to signify the start of the month of Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, always has the world’s Muslims following the news with anticipation.

Although this holy month is most well-known for the mandatory fast that followers engage in, there are a host of other obligations and recommendations Muslims follow during Ramadan. The month also teaches various lessons through the physical challenge of fasting and a close review of the Quran.

Fasting

Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the five core pillars of Islam that are considered obligatory for all Muslims.

Every day during Ramadan, Muslims observe a fast from the Fajr prayer (sunrise) until Maghrib (sunset). Observers of the fast must prohibit themselves from any type of food and drink, as well as other things like smoking.

Fasting is a mandatory duty that all Muslims must observe, with exceptions being made for children, as well as sick, pregnant, elderly, and traveling people.

Beyond being a display of faith and a way to get closer to Allah, fasting in Ramadan serves as an especially powerful social message. One of the advantages of the practice is to help privileged people better understand the living conditions of impoverished people, making it a great social equalizer.

Not only that, fasting is a community activity that provides a unique atmosphere for people celebrating the month. Each Islamic country practices their own customs and traditions for the holy month, with different foods and cultural events to celebrate it.

The iftar (breakfast) table in many households serves as an occasion for the entire family to get together and enjoy some quality time, with a unique atmosphere of solidarity that is not experienced during the rest of the year.

Read Also: Why Muslims Fast During Ramadan

Laylat Al-Qadr

Laylat Al-Qadr is often translated into English as “the night of destiny,” or “the night of decree.” It is considered the holiest of all nights in Ramadan, with countless blessings bestowed upon those who practice good deeds during it.

It is said that good deeds during the day of Laylat Al-Qadr equal that of 1,000 months combined.

This important date is concealed within the last 10 days of the month, as no one knows the precise day of when it lands. Muslims regularly attempt to use all of the last 10 days of Ramadan to devote themselves to worship and other religious activities.

Many Muslims practice I’tikaf during this period, by staying the night in mosques and reciting the Quran in an act of complete devotion to the faith.

Another important point of significance that this holy night has for Muslims is that it is the night when the first Quran verses were revealed to the Prophet Mohammed, making it essentially the starting day of the religion.

The night is believed to be especially holy, and Muslims use it to get closer to God and seek forgiveness, as it also comes with abundant mercy towards answering prayers.

Other special Ramadan activities

Ramadan has many other religious activities that cement its place as the holiest month of the year for Muslims.

Tarawih is long prayers that many Muslims make every night of Ramadan, directly after the Isha prayers. The prayers are performed in pairs of two rakats (cycles of movement in prayers): while some Muslims pray 11 rakats, others have agreed on performing 20.

While the prayers are not considered obligatory, they remain an integral part of the religion that is unique to the month of Ramadan. Many also make Tarawih as an opportunity to recite long portions of the Quran.

It is customary during Ramadan to attempt to recite the entirety of the holy book, which is why some Muslims attempt to recite two hizbs everyday during Tarawih, as the Quran is composed of 60 hizbs.

Others also dedicate daily time to recite the Quran, also in an attempt to achieve takmil (the recitation of the entire book) during the month.

It is due to these special characteristics and activities, that Ramadan remains an important month for all Muslims as the holiest month of the Islamic year.