What is Ramadan in Islam?
The history of Ramadan dates back to 610 AD when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation in the cave of Hira. The fifth month of Islam is Ramadan. Every Muslim must fast in Ramadan. It is one of the most beloved forms of worship for Allah. Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries and the rest of the Muslim world indicate how sacred this month is.
How long is Ramadan?
In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the 9th month. The sighting of the moon marks the start of every month in the Islamic calendar. Depending on the moon, Ramadan lasts for either 29 or 30 days.
Ramadan culture and structure: –
Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries depict the culture and structure of this month. Suhoor and Iftar form the structure of Ramadan. Muslims eat at suhoor which lasts till the Fajr prayer. As the muezzin calls Fajr azan, the fast begins. Similarly, at the call of Maghrib prayer, Muslims break their fast by eating something.
Ramadan culture is all about sharing. Ramadan calls for sharing happiness and sorrows. People sit together and eat together. It is a month of divine festivity. Ramadan is one of the most favourite months of Allah because it is a month of soul-cleansing. People exercise self-restraint by abstaining from food and drink. This is a reminder of the pain and anguish that unfortunate people experience in their lives.
Hence, they share their blessings with such people. Also, it makes people thankful to Allah for all the bounties they have. Allah loves those who show gratitude. Not just the soul, but science proves that Ramadan detoxifies the body too. Fasting is a great way to cleanse the body of harmful toxins, promoting great health and immunity benefits.
Ramadan is a wonderful time to connect with Allah. Many people book the Ramadan Umrah packages as there is a great reward for performing Umrah in Ramadan. The one who celebrates Ramadan in Makkah is very fortunate.
Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries: –
Where is Ramadan celebrated? Ramadan is celebrated all around the world. Especially Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries are remarkable. Egypt’s traditions in Ramadan have been intact for decades.
Book an Egypt tour in Ramadan to witness fascinating Ramadan festivities. The streets are lit with colourful lights. The traditional fans or lantern decor which is famous all over the world originated in Egypt.
A drummer also called maharani strolls across the streets rolling the drum to wake the people for suhoor. Firing cannon announces the start of Iftar in Egypt. People watch special Ramadan programs that boost faith and piety. Children enjoy Islamic stories that build their Islamic principles and belief.
Talking about Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries, you cannot miss the UAE. People in UAE celebrate the arrival of this much-awaited month with an old tradition called Haq Al Lailah. All the children in a neighbourhood go on chanting prayers for the elders in return for sweets. The idea is to make children realize how festive Ramadan is.
Food is an integral part of Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries. After a whole day of fasting, people eat delicious and wholesome cuisines that provide all the necessary nutrition. Acting upon the sunnah of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Muslims break their fast by eating dates. Khan is a popular Egyptian dish made from dates, figs, fruits, and nuts that people eat during Ramadan. Special drinks that quench thirst and supply the necessary amino acids delight everyone at Iftar.
These include Ayran, Tamr Hind, Amar al-Din, Jallab, and Khartoum. In normal routine life, people hardly get time to sit with each other. Ramadan brings people together as they eat together at iftar and suhoor.
During Ramadan, people also offer Taraweeh prayer after Isha. Allah immensely rewards those who perform the Taraweeh prayer. People listen to the recitation of the Holy Quran. It has a therapeutic effect on one’s mind and soul.
Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries call for celebration, happiness, and joy. In many countries, especially Egypt, clubs organize football tournaments during Ramadan, creating a festive atmosphere. People stay awake till late at night and sleep after Fajr prayers.
The extravaganzas of Ramadan peak in the last ten days. People increase their worship and good deeds counter as they begin the search for Lailat-ul-Qadr. Allah has promised a reward equal to a thousand nights of worship for those who pray in the Night of Power.
It lies in one of the last five odd nights of Ramadan. People engage in remembrance of Allah and invoke Him to earn his pleasure.
As the auspicious event of Eid comes closer, Ramadan traditions in Gulf countries call for making final preparations for Eid. Bazars and traditional marketplaces are set up to facilitate Eid shopping. Jewellery, bangles, henna, home decor, and food stalls engage the visitors. Ramadan traditions in gulf countries create an unparalleled aura of merriment and joy.
