Ramadan: A Blessed Month for Muslims
by P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Saudi Arabia
 
Sep 8, 2009: Ramadan is the ninth month of Hijrah calendar, and it is considered to be the blessed month for the Muslims. The Muslims the world over have already spent half of the Ramadan, be it in the hottest summer season like in Saudi Arabia or the rainy season as in India or winter, as experienced in some other parts of the world. Fasting is obligatory for all those Muslims, who are physically and mentally healthy, during the whole month of Ramadan. It is also called the month of Qur’aan, because of its revelation through the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) in this month. Allah says –"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quraan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…", "Verily, We (Allah) have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree)”, which is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Qur’aan says: “O ye who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that ye may become pious”. It means, the fasting was not only prescribed for the followers of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), but it was ordered for the earlier generations also. The special feature about the fasting (it is called “Saum” in Arabic terminology) in Islam is that a fasting Muslim is required to abstain from eating, drinking, sexual indulgence etc from dawn to dusk. Taqwa (God-fearing) plays a vital role behind every Islamic deed being performed by the Muslims and as such, fasting is also purely based on that Taqwa.

Every Muslim keeps himself very busy and full of activities with special prayers in mosques and homes in addition to the offering of the regular five times-a-day obligatory prayers, Qur’an recitation, charity-giving, inviting people for Ifthar (mass breaking of fast) and other humanitarian services. Muslims wake up in the early hours for the Sahoor (pre-dawn meals) or Atthaala(as it is called in Beary language) and stop eating or drinking before the Fajar Adhan (a daily morning call for prayer or the morning Baang that indicates the beginning of the daybreak). Prophet Muhammad said,  “Take Sahoor as there is a Barakah (prosperity) in it even by just taking a cup of water”. So, the Muslims by and large take pre-dawn food for getting ready for fasting in the whole day.

Musaharitis or Daira Kotti (persons who wake up the people for taking Sahoor starting at around 2-45 or 3 am) are also engaged in alerting the people from their sleeps to get their pre-dawn meals, in some parts of the countries like Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and even some states in India like Karnataka, Kerala, Mumbai etc. We can abundantly see them holding Daai’ra (a round-shaped drum) in their hands with green turbans on their heads and other pieces of costumes on their necks in many parts of Karnataka including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

There are a few categories of people like the travellers, sick or old-aged people, children etc., who are not required to fast during the Ramadan month. But there is no harm in fasting, if he/she so wishes. Puerperal women and the women in their menses period, are compulsorily excluded from fasting. But all those people, who belong to the excluded categories, need to observe fasting after they become free of their respective conditions, even after Ramadan. Children above ten should be encouraged to practice to observe fasting.

After Sahoor, the time of Ifthar is really exotic and happy moment. It is the saying of the Prophet (Pbuh) that Sahoor should be delayed and Ifthar should be hurried up, when the time is due. Every fasting person eagerly gets on their toes to break his fast after sunset or soon after the calling of Maghreb Adhan (call for prayer). Ifthar foods are comprise of fruits, juices, dates, water, coconut gruel (it is famous amongst Mangalorean and Kerala Muslims), sweets and other items. The fasting Muslims are very much encouraged to invite others for Ifthar with them. Even just giving dates and water for the fasting observers is also very much encouraged. So, we can see lot of Ifthar parties being organized by individuals or organizations in every part of India, including other parts of the world.

RAMADAN IN SAUDI ARABIA

This year, Ramadan was greeted with boiling climate, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing one of the hottest summers ever. It is said that after decades, Ramadan is occurring at the time of so hot a season. During the first one week, the weather temperature was 50-52 degree celsius. While the weather is dry in Riyadh, which is reeling under scorching heat, weather in eastern provinces like Dammam, Al-Khobar, Jubail, Al Hassa and other parts, have been experiencing lot of humidity and sweating. Jeddah, the old capital city of the Kingdom, which is situated on the bank of Red Sea, has also not escaped from the heat and dampness. Despite exhaustion being experienced due to the burning temperature, fasting in Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is really cozy and momentous. Usually, the environment in general turns brisker at night than the day as the night becomes a day, and a day becomes a night.

Soon after the Ifthar, everything becomes revitalized and rejuvenated, right from the traffic jams to brisk shopping at malls and petty shops. Working hours during the Ramadan is only six hours. Many companies and establishments split those hours into two shifts - four hours in the day and two hours at night. There are straight duties in some companies with different duty times, but not exceeding the total of six hours. There are strict labour regulations for companies, especially construction companies, which mostly involve outdoor laborers, to restrict their working hours not later than the noontime during Ramadan, as the temperature rises meteorically from 11 am to 3.30 pm. So, most of the companies/establishments ask the workers to work at night.

Almost all the shopping malls, super markets, offices, stores etc., are kept open till 2.30-2-30 am. We can see traffic jams everywhere on the main roads, even during late nights. The Ifthar (breaking fast) time (i.e. after Maghreb Adhan) is the only time, in which we can hardly see any vehicles on the roads. The busiest main roads in Riyadh like the international Airport Road, Olaya Road, Gulf Bridge Road etc., become deserted, with very fewe vehicles visible on them, as most of the people happen to be busy in breaking fast at this time. Majority of the people sleep only after the Morning Prayer. Schools remain closed for the summer including Ramadan for more than two months and will reopen in October. Children are also seen enjoying their fasting periods, with their parents and elders.

Mosques are also busier during the Ramadan than other times and some mosques are jam-packed with special prayer, which is called Taraweeh including Withr Prayer (Qiyamul Lail). Taraweeh prayer is the special prayer which is offered only during Ramadan. Daily special Dua (supplication) is included in the last part of Withr Prayer in every mosque for the individual as well as general welfare and peace. At the end of Ramadan, the whole Qur’an is completed in the Taraweeh Prayer by the Imams (those who lead the Prayers). Qur’an recitation is also done in mosques and homes individually. Since two holy mosques in Makkah and Madeena are situated in the Kingdom, the number of pilgrims going for Umrah is considerably more and the mosque in Makkah, where the Ka’aba is situated, is always packed with pilgrims, especially after the first two weeks of Ramadan. It is recently reported that Makkah is the only place in the world where Ifthar for lakhs of people at a time is being arranged on a large scale. It’s the saying of the Prophet that if anyone performs Umrah during Ramadan, it is equivalent to performance of Hajj with Him. There are mosques where Ifthar is also being arranged for the masses.

Many donors and organizations contribute for the Ifthar arrangements on daily basis, either in mosque campuses or at some grounds specially meant for the mass Ifthar. Ifthar parties are being arranged in abundance by individuals and various organizations. Friends and relatives are frequently being invited for the party, either in their houses or restaurants. Various individuals and organizations of Mangalore in the Kingdom have also not lagged behind in organizing Ifthar parties. Various individuals and associations had organized Ifthar parties recently in Riyadh in various places.

Indian Fraternity Forum’s Riyadh Unit of Karnataka Chapter, a social and humanitarian organization, organized the Party at Al Owaida Auditorium, Al Hair in a large scale. Around 1,500 people gathered for the party. Siddiq Basha deliered key note address about various activities of IFF, Riyadh. Jaffer Faizi presided over the programme and Saleem proposed vote of thanks.

Mangaloreans Salman Noor and his brother Younus, both working for Hyundai Company in Riyadh, arranged a party at Al Hayat Restaurant at Haara.Their close friends, relatives and office colleagues were present at the party. Arrangements for ladies was also made in the party separately.

Last weekend, Katipalla Youth Muslim Association (KMYA)-Riyadh Unit had arranged Ifthar Party - 2009 at Mezbaan Restaurant at Haarah in Riyadh. It was a good gathering with a large crowd of Katipalla youngsters. JF NRCC Amir Nawaz Gurupur, DKMO Riyadh unit president, Abbas Uchil, JF Riyadh Unit ex-president Hameed Wenz, Daijiworld correspondent and advocate P A Hameed Padubidri, Haneef Bardila and Parvez Ali (Euromarche) were the special guests on the occasion. Haneef Bardila gave a brief talk on the importance of Ramadan under the light of Qur’aan and Hadeeth. Haneef Panambur, president, Abdul Qayyoom, general secretary, Abdul Aziz and Sulaiman, vice-presidents and other members of KMYA were present on the occasion. The party was sponsored by  Sulaiman and Shafi. Parvez Ali proposed vote of thanks.