Ramadan the Holy Month of Islam

Ramadan falls on ninth month of Islamic lunar calender. During this blessed month Muslims around the word abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs in the daylight. Muslims believe its time to purify the soul, focus attention on God and practice self-sacrifice.

Ramadan is the month of re-evaluation in which Muslims re-evaluate their life according to the Islamic guidance. It is the time to strengthen ties with family and friends and to clean up mind body and soul to lead a peaceful life. The Arabic word "Sawm" (Fasting) which literally means "to refrain" - It means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts and words.

Ramadan is the time to cleanse up the body and soul from all impurities and re-focus on self and God. During Ramadan every part of the body must be restrained to attain the purity. The tongue should be restrained from unwanted gossip and backbiting. Eyes must not look at unlawful things and hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. Ears must not listen to idle talk and obscene words. In such a way, every part of the body observes the Sawm to attain purity.

Fasting is mandatory on every Muslim and starts everyday in Ramadan at the break of dawn and ends at sunset. The following exemptions are allowed as Allah does not want to put you to difficulties :

1.the insane;
2.Small children who are not adolescent;
3.the elderly and chronically ill for whom fasting is impossible;
4.pregnant women can postpone the fasting at a later time;
5.travelers can also defer their fasting.
6.fasting is also forbidden for women during the period of menstruation and should be made up later.

Tips to make Ramadan a special one :

1. Keep in touch at least once a week with your family, friends or with all your loved ones and share three Ramadan-related things you've done in the last ten days of Ramadan. Also don't forget to send Ramadan e-cards to all your friends and loved ones.
2. Help your friends or family members if they are facing any problem in their life, keep an open heart to others. Don't miss any small opportunities for gaining blessings.
3. Decorate your space with Ramadan balloons, banners and streamers and boost the environment.
4. Choose at least five goals to pursue this Ramadan. Try to curbing all your bad habit and start something good , doing this will help you to change for the better. It takes 21 days to establish a good habit. With Ramadan, we've got 30. Why not make the best of it by picking up the good?
Ramadan is a time for contemplation, spirituality and brotherhood, it unites all Muslims in fasting, feasting, worship and prayer. It. Set the mood of Ramadan and make it a special one.

Jeff Young is a freelance writer, who writes about events, relationship, love, friendship and other subjects revolving about what it means to be human. Visit to know more about the Ramadan e-cards