What is Ramadaan?

Ramadan or Ramadaan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar and is known as the month of fasting.

The month of Ramadaan begins with the sighting of the moon at the end of Sha'baan (the 8th month) and concludes with the sighting of the moon at the end of Ramadaan. During Ramadaan, Muslims abstain from all food, drink and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset.

Muslims are encouraged to wake up before the morning prayer to have something to eat - this is known as suhoor or sehri. Think of it as a very early breakfast (though some people are known to enjoy curries, savouries and rice dishes!)

When Muslims break their fast at sunset, this is known as iftaar. The recommendation is to break the fast with dates and water. This is the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

At the end of Ramadaan there is a feast, known as Eid-ul-Fitr where Muslims celebrate by getting together with family and friends to enjoy food and to exchange gifts.

The purpose of Ramadaan

There are many hundreds of thousands of people around the world who starve every day or who are severely malnourished and the concept of Ramadaan is to feel what these people feel. When you feel what others feel, you are more likely to sympathise and empathise with them. Muslims are strongly encouraged to give even more charity in the month of Ramadaan and it is indeed in this month that many Muslims taken on more charitable work.

Muslims don't only avoid food and drink. They avoid smoking and other bad habits as this month is a means of cleansing oneself physically, mentally and spiritually. If one swears, this is a great time to learn to break that habit.

Ramadaan is a time for reflection. A time for the controlling of your desires. It is a time of cleansing and a time of reforming. It is a time where you feel the pangs of hunger and share the feelings of those less fortunate. It is a time where you show gratitude to Allah for all that He has bestowed upon you.

Fasting times in Brisbane for Ramadaan

If you live in Brisbane and would like suhoor/sehri times as well as iftaar times, visit the MBN website: http://www.mbn.net.au/?content=hadith for the fasting times and a daily hadith.

Ramadaan Mubaarak! Ramadaan Kareem!

BRISBANE RAMADAAN FASTING TIMES 2012 (1433)

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