Ramadan also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan or Ramathan is the most important time of the year in the Islamic calendar. It is the ninth month of the calendar and is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds, giving zakat to poor people and spending time with family and friends. The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means ‘scorching heat.’ Ramadan takes place for 720 hours, which is four weeks and two days. According to Islam, Ramadan celebrates the first time when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The five pillars are Shahada (profession of faith), Salat (Prayer), Zakat (Almsgiving), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage). The date of Ramadan changes yearly because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle and it lasts for twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. It is compulsory for all Muslims to fast during this holy month. They have to stay the whole day without eating or drinking anything.

They should not lie, gossip or abuse while they are fasting and instead they devote themselves to salat (prayer) and recitation of the Quran. Muslims have a pre-dawn meal which they have to finish eating before Fajar Prayer and they break their fast in the evening after sunset. The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar. People wish each other by saying “RAMADAN KAREEM” or “RAMADAN MUBARAK”. This means to have a successful, happy and blessed Month. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, the next lunar month, and is declared after a crescent new moon has been sighted or after completion of thirty days of fasting if no sighting of the moon is possible. Eid celebrates of the return to a more natural disposition of activities.

Experts say, considering the immense benefits of fasting, i.e. restricting food intake during the day or fasting time, that can help prevent health problems such as high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity, as well as improve mental health and wellbeing. By not consuming food, human body is able to concentrate on removing toxins, as we give the digestive system a rest. Also, this could be a wonderful step for those who wish to come out of the problem of obesity. However, all should take care of dehydration aspect. That’s why Doctors advocate drinking plenty of water or fruits having water (such as Watermelon, Muskmelon, etc) after iftar.

Through this article, I extend my warm wishes to all my fellow human-beings on this Holy Month. May Allah bless us all with health and happiness. Ramadan Kareem.

Also, I sincerely request one and all to continue to practice/following COVID-19 precautions to ensure we are all remain healthy.

Sai Harshita Adivi, X-J, Fahaheel Al Watanieh Indian Private School (DPS), Kuwait