Meaning and purpose of the chief festivals and special days
Within the Islamic faith, there is a calendar. The Muslim year has 354 days and it is a lunar calendar. This means a new month begins with every new moon.
Ramadan
This is one of the most important times in the Islamic calendar. It is a time for Muslims to observe one of the The five observances which must be followed by all practising Muslims. They are Shahadah, Salah (or Salat), Zakat, Sawm and Hajj. - Fourth of the five pillars of Islam, fasting from dawn until dusk during Ramadan. (fasting). It is the ninth month in the calendar and it reflects the time when The Arab prophet who founded the religion of Islam. received the first revelation of the The sacred book in Islam, it is believed that it contains the word of God, dictated by Angel Jibril and written in Arabic. from The Arabic word for God, commonly used by Muslims..
It is a time for Muslims to appreciate Allah and everything that has been given to them.
Muslims are expected to fast during daylight hours 鈥 this includes:
- no food or drink
- no sexual relations
- no sinful actions or thoughts
There is also a renewed focus on the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 and faith in Allah during this time. However, not everyone has to participate in the fasting. Ultimately, Islam is a compassionate and caring faith, and so some are excluded. These include children, the elderly, those who are sick or pregnant and soldiers.
During his fasting, Muhammad would have had a few dates and a small drink. Some Muslims follow this today in order to stay healthy.
Eid-ul-Fitr
鈥楨颈诲鈥 means 鈥榗别濒别产谤补迟颈辞苍鈥 鈥 it a feast or a festival. 鈥楨颈诲-耻濒-贵颈迟谤鈥 means 鈥楩estival of Fast Breaking鈥.
This religious celebration comes with the sighting of the new moon at the end of The month of fasting and prayer in Islam, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.. During this time, Muslims are not allowed to fast. Once the new crescent moon is sighted in City where the Prophet Muhammad was born, and where the Ka鈥檅a is located - often spelt Makkah., a message is sent to Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for the whole Muslim community to celebrate the completion of Ramadan together 鈥 presents are exchanged and everyone is dressed in their best clothes.
Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha takes place during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar and lasts for three days. It takes place during the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
The festival remembers the Widely regarded as the father of Christians, Jews and Muslims. He was the first person to teach that there is only one God. His story is told in the biblical book of Genesis and also in the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍, where he is named Ibrahim. willingness to sacrifice his son when ordered to by Allah.
Eid ul-Adha is a public holiday in Muslim countries, but Muslims in the UK may take the day off work or school to celebrate this festival.