Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and it’s a month that me and my family really look forward to. Much like a bonus card where you get points, for me Ramadan is the bonus month where you get double the reward for your good actions.
Most Muslims are driven by Hasanats which is a credit for good deeds, which Allah(SWT) weighs up against one’s bad deeds at the final judgement and Ramadan is an opportunity to not only reflect but also do good. Naturally, going on your day-to-day with an empty stomach tests your patience but I’ve learnt to stay focused to avoid the feeling of being “ Hangry” as it is also a test of the way we deal with our emotions.
As humans, the only way to really understand the experience of another is to try it yourself and Ramadan allows me to get a feel for the millions of people that are currently suffering from poverty. Ramadan is known as the charity month of the year when every Muslim is donating money towards charitable causes in the UK and around the world. In Islam, part of our faith is to look after the needy and that means we must give 2.5% of our earnings and assets per year to those in need, which is known as the Zakat. Although Zakat can be given at any time throughout the Islamic calendar, most Muslims tend to give their Zakat during this month. Laylatul Qadr , which is known as the night of power, happens within the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Muslims around the world tend to spend most of the night worshipping. It is considered the holiest night in the Islamic calendar. This was the first night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Angel Gabriel/Jibril.
