Praise be to Allah for choosing for us Muslims a holy and blessed month in which to fast. This month is of immense significance in each Muslim's internal experience – when the first Koran verses were descended by the angel Gabriel upon the heart of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him. The descent of the Koran is why this month is a unique period in the context of the worship of God and becoming close to God in Heaven, praise be to Allah. Allah chose this fast for us to for the entire month.
The fast commences on the new moon of the blessed month of Ramadan. From dawn, around 04:45 a.m., we refrain from food and drink, and married couples abstain from sexual relations until sunset (around 19:06). Thus, during this period of time, no food, drink, or marital relations are permitted. Islam exempts certain people from the obligation of fasting: pregnant and nursing women, travelers, the sick or elderly – all the above are permitted to eat. For each of these people, whoever eats during Ramadan should fast the days that they missed in the period after Ramadan. Those whose circumstances prevent them from fasting at all will feed the needy for each day that they could not fast, or alternatively, will donate money to charity at the value of approximately 30 NIS (New Israeli Shekels) for each day.
The fast is practiced throughout the month.Muslims receive this month with great festivity and shower one another with blessings. This month is characterized also by the performance of many acts of charity, for which their reward is multiplied. During this month, Muslims take greater note of the situation of their fellow man and give larger donations to charity.
During this month, it is customary for Muslims to allocate a portion of their wealth for the public's benefit, the measure of which was predetermined from above. This obligation is termed “Al-Zakat” and constitutes one of the pillars of Islam, together with fasting, prayer and the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The obligation of Al-Zakat has specific rules – this year, for Ramadan, whoever has more than 10,000 NIS to spare beyond his basic needs is obligated to donate 2.5 percent, i.e. 250 NIS. Accordingly, a person with a fortune of 100,000 NIS will donate 2,500 NIS. These sums are allocated for charity according to eight categories, such as the poor, the needy, debtors or students.
During the month of Ramadan, and during this month only, it is customary to perform a special prayer called “Tarawih”. It is performed in congregation at mosques following the night prayer. All Muslims say this prayer, said throughout the month. The Tarawih consists of eight rak'ahs (units of prayer) and occasionally of 23 rak'ahs.
There is competition over the performance of the Tarawih among the three most important mosques in Islam: “Al-Masjid al-Haram”, the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, the location of the Kaaba; the Mosque of the Prophet in Al-Madina, the resting place of Allah's messenger, peace and blessing be upon Him; and the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, the initial direction of prayer by Muslims and the aim of the nocturnal journey made by Allah's messenger, peace and blessing be upon Him.
The reason for competition between Muslims over the privilege to pray in those mosques in particular lies in the immense heavenly reward granted them for praying in one of them. According to Allah's messenger, peace and blessing be upon Him, the reward for performing each unit of prayer in the al-Haram mosque is equivalent to 100,000 units. One rak'a in the Prophet's Mosque is equivalent to 100,000 prayer units, and in the Al-Aqsa mosque it is equivalent to 500 rak'as. Heavenly reward is multiplied during Ramadan, which is why Muslims flock to these mosques during this month.
The blessed month of Ramadan concludes after the sighting of the new moon of the following month –“Shawwal”. At the end of the fast, the first day of the new month is announced. This is a festival day, Eid ul Fitr. Before the beginning of Eid ul Fitr, each Muslim is obligated to give charity, “Zakat ul-Fitr” or “Sadaqat-ul-Fitr” – for the sum of 15 NIS for the poor and needy. Thus the Muslim thanks his Creator for assisting him through the month of fasting as well as beseeches Him to accept his good deeds and forgive his shortcomings during the period of fasting.
On the festival's eve, once the signal is given for the end of the fast, preparations for the festivities begin. The festival opens with the “Salat ul-Eid” prayer held at mosques and in public places at 7:00 a.m. The prayer consists of two raka's and a sermon by the Imam. Afterwards, the Muslims return to their homes and begin visits to family and friends. On this day, it is customary to give many gifts and charity and to bestow blessings, such as “May it please Allah to accept our good deeds and yours”, and “May you live a long and good life”.
Sheikh Raed Bder is one of the leaders of the Islamic Movement, and the right-hand of the Movement Founder, Shaikh Abdallah Nimr Darwish. Sheikh Raed Bder is Head of the Adam Center for Peace and Dialogue
