RAMADAN AS A MONTH OF BLESSING TO MUSLIMS By Ishowo Malik Ayomide

RAMADAN AS A MONTH OF BLESSING TO MUSLIMS.

It’s not longer news that Ramadan will be commencing on the 2nd of April 2022, and if not that day, it might commence on the 3rd of April 2022, that’s, if the sky is too cloudy to sight the moon.

However, the Holy Month appears to be a Month of blessing, forgiveness and mercy, in which we Muslims have to observe the Holy Month with purity, wholesomeness and sanity.

It’s distinctive that Ramadan as a Holy Month in Islam comes on the 9th month of the Islamic calendar in which Allah has enjoins us to fast for the whole month to seek for forgiveness, blessing and mercy from Almighty Allah (S. W. T).

Nevertheless, During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslim faithfuls are expected to fast daily from dawn to sunset. It is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline — of deep contemplation of one’s relationship with God, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity, and intense study of the Quran.

Fasting allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith. It is expected to instil self-discipline and reminds them of the suffering of the poor.

However, children, pregnant women, elderly people and those who are ill or travelling are exempted from fasting , this is because it’s not mandatory for them. They are mercifully excluded by Allah as part of His inimitable Rahma but pregnant women, travellers and the sick will have to fill the missing gaps later.

During Ramadan, it is common to have one meal (known as the sahoor), just before dawn as preparation and another (known as iftar), directly after sunset to break fast.

However, it is not only customary but more rewarding when a wider family shares iftar, a meal that is eaten after the sunset during the Holy month.

It is not unusual that the start of Ramadan fluctuates each year. This is because the lunar Islamic calendar follows the phases of the moon, hence the beginning and the end of Ramadan are determined by a moon sighting committee in each Islamic country . It begins the day after the committee spots the new crescent moon, which can be deceptive since it’s quite faint and can be seen for only about 15 to 20 minutes as said by Islamic Scholars . If the moon isn’t visible to the naked eye because of haze or clouds, lunar calculations are used to predict whether it’s in the sky. As I have said earlier, This year Ramadan is predicted to begin on April 02 and to end May 2 with Eid celebrations on the 3rd of May.

Moreover, the naming of Ramadan stems from the Arabic root “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat. Muslims believe that in A.D. 610, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book. That revelation, Laylat Al Qadar—or the “Night of Power” and Majesty as the case may be—is believed to have occurred during the Ramadan. The has the most trusted and reliable holy book consists of 114 chapters and is recommended to be read at least twice in the Holy Month of Ramadan …

Ramadan is a month whereby you relate intimately with God Almighty (Allah) for you to seek total forgiveness and receive His blessings as the case may be. I urge my fellow young Muslims to not allow the blessings of the sacred month to omit them by moving nearer to Allah, the Beneficent and the Merciful.

Happy Ramadan fast. “Ramadan Kareem”

Ishowo Malik Ayomide

Ishowo is currently a returning 200 Level student at the University of ilorin, Kwara State.