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Shine like the whole universe is yours. - Rumi
Shine like the whole universe is yours. – Rumi

Ramadan Kareem!

The holy month of Ramadan begins on the first day of Ramadan which is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, 2022, it starts on April 2nd, after the New Moon, Chandraat which fell on Friday, and Ismaili Muslims consider this a holy day and so fast on this day too.

After the moon’s lunar cycle of 30 days or so, the end of the fasting month is celebrated by Eid where the devout celebrate after having completed the month of fasting successfully from dawn to sunset each day. The end of this month starts with the morning prayers on Eid-ul Fitr where greetings are exchanged with everyone, children are given an Eidi, a gift of money followed great rejoicing and feasting and picnics.

Ramadan is the month that the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad on the 23rd night of Ramadan and that night has been called the Night of Power – Layla-tul Qadr, the great night where a single moment of enlightenment of the Light of God converts the night into a period of Spiritual glory and majesty that touches the eternal life. Pious Muslims strive to make themselves pure, especially during this month, by ritual and spiritual observances to make ready for the Companionship on High as alluded to in Rumi’s poem above. The faithful try to emulate the Prophet Muhammad’s example and are engaged in their daily lives with good actions in helping fellow human beings and worshiping God and constantly seeking His Grace by their ethical actions in society and during Ramadan, all the piety is concentrated especially whilst fasting and staying away from all pollution and unethical behavior. This month has been declared sacred in the Holy Quran wherein God says:

2:183 – O you who believe, fasting is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become self-restrained.

2:185 – The prescribed fasting is for a fixed number of days, but whoso among you is sick or on a journey, shall fast the same number of other days; and for those who are able to fast only with great difficulty, is an expiation – the feeding of a poor man. And whoso does good of his own accord it is better for him. And fasting is good for you, if you only knew.

The Holy Quran was revealed on the 23rd night of Ramadan celebrated as Layla tul Qadr — the Night of Power when Angel Gabriel descended to deliver God’s message to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him:

Iqra, bi-ismi rabbika allathee khalaq
Khalaqa al-insana min AAalaq
Iqra, warabbuka al-akram
Allathee AAallama bil qalam
AAallama al-insana ma lamyaAAlam
Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
He created man from a clot.
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
Who taught (to write) with the pen
Taught man what he knew not.

Surat Al-Qadr – The Power, Quran 97 – سورة القدر

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ
أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ وَمَآ
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
سَلاَمٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ

For the last 1400 years, now over 1.5 billion Muslims throughout the world, the believers pay special attention to the esoteric (batin) matters by practicing the exoteric (zaher) fasting by refraining from dishonesty, stealing, unethical actions, and other activities that would lead one astray. A Momin’s (believer’s) life is a journey to become one with the Essence and her daily life is a mirror of her spiritual beauty. A Muslim lives a daily life of piety which includes practice of faith and taking care of life, that means, working for the family, earning and taking part in society whilst also maintaining a relationship with the Creator-on-high. So the tasbi (rosary) will be in constant use to remember God and recall this link with the Spirit and Soul.

 

Imam Hazrat Ali
Imam Hazrat Ali

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sun-up to sun-down daily, not having anything to eat, drink, smoke and keep away from sexual relations during that period of about 8-10 hours a day. A special feast is prepared for the breaking of the fast each evening known as Iftar, where everyone present is invited to partake of the dinner after the all-day fast and prayers of thanks are offered and family and friends reconnect and rejoice for remembering their duty to God and for striving to be pious.

The month ends with special festivities on the Eid al-Fitr (Day of Feasting) celebration when families and friends truly rejoice for having completed the commandment of Allah by successful abstinence and by zikr (remembrance of Allah) at all times.

Sunnata man qad arsalna qablaka minrusulina wala tajidu lisunnatina tahweela

(This was Our) way with the messengers We sent before thee: thou wilt find no change in Our ways. — Quran 17:77

Audio Quran 17:77

The above Ayat is retold by Imam Hazrat Ali in his Khutbat Iftikhar so beautifully and powerfully!

I am the meaning of Ramadan and the night of Qadr (Quran 97:1-3) mentioned in the Mother Book. My utterance is decisive, for I am the Surah of Praise (Hamd). I am the purpose of prayer itself, whether at home or when travelling. I am the purpose of fasting, and the sacred anniversaries in the months of the year. I am the Lord of Resurrection and Judgement, the One who can remove the yoke that lies heavy on the people of Muhammad. I am the Gate through which all shall pass who worship God; I am His worshipper, and one created by Him. I am both the witness and the One witnessed to, the possessor of the green canopy, He Whose name is mentioned in the heavens and the earth, Who is the travelling companion of the Messenger of God throughout the heavens, for with Me is the Book and the sacred Arc.

Mevlevi Sufi Dancers Muslim Devotional Music - Amaana.org Mubarak Everyone! Rejoice!

Nasr min Allah wa Fath Qarib! – Help from God and Victory very Near! – Quran 61:13

Enjoy the lovely Nasheed below and also browse the pages created for previous years for Ramadan at the links below where you will also find Iftar dinner speeches by Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton. Hope you have a great month of spiritual connection with the All-High and realize you are Angelic!

Eid Celebrations

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The Month of Ramadan is Here!

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