Muslims across South Africa are preparing for the Islamic month of Ramadan which is expected to dawn in the middle of next week.
Depending on the sighting of the moon, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin after sunset on Wednesday, and the first fast begins on Thursday.
Sightings of the moon
Islam follows the lunar calendar and the sighting of the moon signals the beginning of the Islamic month – In Islam, the new day also begins just after sunset.
If the moon is not sighted on Wednesday, Ramadan will begin on Thursday and the first fast on Friday.
The announcement about seeing or not seeing the moon was made by the United Council of Ulama of South Africa (UUCSA).
fast
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and usually eat before dawn before the fasting begins.
Once the fast begins, they are not allowed to eat a morsel of food or drink water until sunset.
Fasting is also a spiritual discipline to prevent bad behavior including sexual intercourse, which invalidates or eliminates fasting.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims usually break their fast with dates and a glass of water.
The holy month of Ramadan is more than just a month of fasting; this is a month with many benefits and rewards for Muslims.
The meaning of Ramadan
The word Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, means ‘the heat that shakes the earth or the heat that shakes people during fasting’.
The act of Ramadan and the linguistic meaning of Ramadan are two
Muslims believe that burning the earth or people when they are thirsty causes a dry throat when they are thirsty.
From a spiritual perspective, it scorches away sins that the almighty wipes and forgives when people experience challenges and efforts to keep fasting.
Fasting or not eating also teaches important lessons including compassion because those who fast will know what others who are hungry and less fortunate, who do not eat every day, are doing.
Respect the fasting person
Many non-Muslims also respect and support their Muslim friends who are fasting by having lunch out of sight of the fasting people.
During Ramadan, Muslims also go to the mosque more often, where the Qur’an, which consists of thirty juz, is read every night until the end of the blessed month.
Some Muslims also travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and spend the holy month there because of the higher spiritual ecstasy.
Also read: In pictures: Ramadan in South Africa and around the world