Blessed is the Month of

RAMADAN

Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein
…that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD
for guiding you, and to express your appreciation. [2:185]

Ramadan is the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims (submitters) all over the world fast every day of this month from dawn to the sunset. During fasting, the Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and sexual encounter as ordained by God in the Quran:

…You may eat and drink until the white thread of light be-comes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are God’s laws; you shall not transgress them. God thus clarifies His

revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation. (2:187)

What is a Lunar Month?

A lunar month is approximately 29.5 days. It is the time it takes for the moon to orbit the earth. Therefore, the number of fasting days during Ramadan may sometimes be 29 days, and other times 30 days. Since a lunar month is, on the average, one day shorter than a solar month, a lunar year is 10-12 days shorter than a solar year. Therefore, the Month of Ramadan comes about 11 days earlier each year. This way one gets to fast when the days are very warm and long in summer as well as when they are cool and

short in winter. This beautiful design by God is also a test for the submitters to see if they will fast regardless of the length or tem-perature of the days of Ramadan.

The beginning of a new lunar month is the moment, during the moon’s orbit around the earth, when the moon is in conjunction with the sun, with the sun’s light hitting the side of the moon away from the earth. In this position, the moon is said to be a “new moon,” with its dark side turned toward the earth. By definition, a new moon is not visible from the earth as the sun’s light is shining only on the side of the moon not facing the earth.

Cont’d on page 2