The holy month of Ramadan is here with all its glory and around 1.6 billion Muslims are celebrating this holy month. Muslims have known almost everything about this month since their childhood. However, there are still many people who have their queries about Ramadan but they are too afraid and embarrassed to ask them. The majority of such people are usually non-Muslims who want to inquire the intricate details of Ramadan so that they wouldn’t unintentionally offend their Muslim fellows.
Here is a list of 7 such questions that lingers in your mind about Ramadan but you are too afraid to ask.
1. What Is Ramadan Really About?
Source: Ramdan.in
Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) said,
“When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”
Ramadan is undoubtedly, one of the most sacred months of the year for Muslims. Majorly because it was in this month that Holy Quran’s first verses were revealed by Allah to Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Muslims fast and pray during the whole month from dawn till sunset. At the end of this spiritual month, Muslims celebrate a three-day festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.
2. How Does Fasting Actually Work Out?
Source: Patheos
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is a compulsion for every Muslim to fast during Ramadan. There are a few dispensations for those who are traveling, severely ill, menstruating or pregnant/nursing. It is basically done to remind you of your blessings awarded by God and to relate to those who are under-privileged. Muslims abstain from all the worldly pleasures during their fast and focus more towards their prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran.
3. Do You Lose Weight During Ramadan?
Source: Health.pk
This is incorrect in most scenarios because people usually complaint of gaining weight instead of losing it. It is because Muslims eat very early before the start of the day and remain hungry until sunset… when they eat plenty of food at Iftar. The low activity of your body in between creates a havoc on your metabolism. On the other hand, you may lose a little weight if you be extra careful about it.
4. Why Do The Dates Of Ramadan Change Every Year?
Source: SomeOrdinary
People are often confused about the fact that the dates of Ramadan keep on changing every year. The answer is that Muslims follow a lunar calendar. Islamic calendar’s 12 months add up to approximately 354 days. That’s 11 days shorter than the 365 days of the standard Gregorian calendar. Consequently, the first day of the month of Ramadan, moves backward by about 11 days each year.
5. Why Is There Always A Confusion About Which Day Ramadan Would Start?
Source: Meme Generator
Ramadan starts when the moon is sighted. It used to be quite easy back in the days when the moon could be seen with a naked eye. But now there is always a dispute over the sighting of the moon. Some argue that the whole world should just follow the official moon-sighting decrees of Saudi Arabia. But not everyone thinks that’s a good idea, especially rival countries like Pakistan and Iran. Hence each year Muslims around the world get to experience the “moon-sighting fighting.”
6. What Are You Supposed To Do Besides Fasting?
Source: Destination Ksa
There is a whole list of things that Muslims have to do besides not eating anything. One shouldn’t delay prayers, lie, gossip, be impatient etc. Recitation of the Holy Quran and performing various Ibadaah would just add up to your blessings.
7. What Do You Do When You Become Hungry?
Source: Crystal Graphics
As a matter of fact, you cannot do much when you’re hungry except to try to distract yourself in every possible way. Engage yourself in different activities to get your mind off it and pray to Allah to give you strength to endure the hunger.
So these are some of the questions that almost everyone wonders about the Holy month of Ramadan but they are too embarrassed or afraid to ask.
