What is Ramadan? Ramadan (also written Ramadhan) is the name of the ninth month of the lunar calendar. It is the only month that Allah SWT mentioned in the Holy Quran, namely in Surat al-Bagarah, verse 185. "شَهْرُ رَمَضَان الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ القُرْآنُ" ‘the month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was sent down.’
Ramadhan Kareem and May you be well and sound every year!
Why do we call this month Ramadan? There are three views on this. One view is that Ramadan is one of the glorified names of Allah, and that it means the forgiver of all sins. Another view is that Ramadan is from the Arabic word رَمْضٌ (noun) which means the intense heat of sand which the sun rays cause and رَمَضَ (verb) which means to burn. The third view is that we call it Ramadan because it burns the sins through the goods deeds that Muslims do during this month. The very word Ramadan pertains to fasting, abstinence from food, drinks, and sex from dawn until sunset.
Muslims unanimously agree that it is a requirement that every Muslim of age fast Ramadan. The Holy Quran القُرْآنُ الكَرِيْم and the Sunna of the prophet السُّنَّة النَّبَوِيَّة or the prophetic mode of life confirms this requirement. Allah SWT says this in the Holy Quran in Surat al-Bagarah, verse 183. "يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ". ‘O you who believed, fasting is enjoined of you as it was enjoined of those before you that you may be righteous.’
In addition, in verse 185 of the same Surat, Allah SWT says: "شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ". 'The month of Ramadan in which the Quran was send down, which is a guidance for the people, and clear proofs of guidance and evidence. So, whoever sights its new moon is required to fast it.’
In the Hadith, narrating the saying of Angel Gabriel, the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: “Islam is to confess that there is no God but Allah and that Mohammed is his prophet, to perform the five prayers, to give alms, to fast Ramadan, and to make pilgrimage to the sacred house of Allah in Mecca provided that one is physically and financially able to do so.’ In another Hadith narrated by Omar, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Islam is based on five pillars, one of which is fasting the holy month of Ramadan.’ Also, once an Arab of the desert asked the Prophet about what fasting he must do. The Prophet responded that it mandatory that he fast the holy month of Ramadan.
Therefore, the month of Ramadan is an integral part of Islam, namely its fasting. It is the fourth pillar of Islam. Hence, most Muslim scholars consider whoever denies fasting Ramadan a disbeliever. They also regard whoever does not fast it a deserter of Islam.
The Rationale of fasting Ramadan is that it cleanses the soul of the believer, leads it to purification, and brings it closer to Allah. This way a Muslim fears Allah, the Almighty, and submits to Him in total obedience.
May Allah, the Almighty, aid us in fasting Ramadan and in devotedly performing its required worships, Amen!
