Ramadan 2024: Iftar Timing In India And The Celebrations Of The Month (Photo by Artur Kornakov on Unsplash)
Beacon of pious, patience and forgiveness, the holy month of Ramadan is at the doorstep. Muslims around the world are prepared to celebrate the beloved month of faith, spirituality and grace. Sighting of the crescent moon plays a significant role in Ramadan, as it marks the beginning and end of the month. The ninth month of Arabic lunar calendar is considered to be holiest month by the followers of Islam across the globe.
The beginning of 2024 Ramadan is highly likely to fall on 11 0r 12 of March. The exact date could only be revealed after sighting the moon in Mecca of Saudi Arabia. As per the tradition, the crescent moon of Ramadan is first sighted in Saudi Arabia, which is then followed by South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and some western countries. Usually, Saudi Arabia witness the crescent moon a day prior to the South Asian countries. The moon sighting determines whether the holy month will have 29 days or 30. The sacred month of fasting ends with Eid al-Fitr, one of the two festivals of Islam.
The celebrations of Ramadan:
Muslims celebrate Ramadan with utmost love. The month serves as spiritual rejuvenation and reflection. Everything good is celebrated in Ramadan. During the month, Muslims refrain themselves from eating, drinking, smoking, and all the other sinful, behaviors and acts. They observe fast by abstaining themselves from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.
The fasting starts at the Fajr adhan (call for the morning prayer) and ends at Maghrib (the call for sunset prayer, which fourth of the five daily prayers). Before starting to observe fast, followers are asked to have Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal. It usually consists of dates, fruits, or anything that is healthy and nourishing. Iftar marks breaking of the fast. Dates are often used to break the fast, following the example of Prophet Muhammed. Though a lavish meal is observed to be on the table during Iftar today, Ramadan seeks to keep it simple and healthy. It is believed that by refraining from eating and drinking, one understands the pain and sufferings of others and gets closer to God for the blessings bestowed.
The estimated timing of fasting for 2024 Ramadan is believed to be around 13 hours in India. Fajr during the staring of the month is believed to be at 5:30 am and the Maghrib is at 6:30 am. By the end of the month, Fajr might reach at 4:30 am and Maghrib at 6:44 am.
For Muslims, Ramadan is the festival of goodness and rewards. Kindness, forgiveness – seeking and giving – and charity are the predominant adornments of it. The sacred month is said to be the month of offers as everything comes with multiple fold rewards from God Almighty. Even the simplest act of donating a penny is highly rewarded during Ramadan, as weight of the charity goes to the thought of charity. There is a common saying that devil is chained during Ramadan. The metaphorical saying suggests that evilness are subdued due to the overwhelming virtues reverberating from every followers of Islam during Ramadan, paving way for undisturbed devotion and prayer.
Since it is also the month on which the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammed, studying and reciting of Quran abundantly is highly encouraged during Ramadan. Giving charity is another celebrated aspect of Ramadan. Muslims are asked to give charity, even if it is a piece of dates.
The last ten days are considered to be extremely important for Muslims as Laylathul Qadr, or the ‘night of destiny or power’ is believed to be on anyone of these ten days. The night holds immense importance. It is considered to be the holiest as of the whole year, as prayers on this night is holier thousand months.
Ramadan is the month of purification and self-reflection both physically and mentally.
