In PHOTOS: Ramzan, the month of fasting

Muslim men and women across the world are observing the month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint.

During Ramzan, the holiest month in the Islamic lunar calendar, the Muslim community fasts, abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset.

During this time, Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Quran, to give freely to those in need, and strengthen their ties to God through prayer. The goal of the fast is to teach humility, patience and sacrifice, and to ask forgiveness, practice self-restraint, and pray for guidance in the future.

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The word Ramzan comes from the Arabic root word for parched thirst and sun-baked ground.

It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other holidays, when people often indulge, Ramzan is by nature a time of sacrifice.

The annual fast of Ramzan is considered one of the five "pillars" of Islam.

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A day in the month of Ramzan commences with the intention to Fast, waking up for the beneficial pre dawn meal (Suhoor), followed by the first daily prayer of Fajr, which is when the fasting commences.

The Dhuhr (midday) prayer is followed by Asr (afternoon) prayer. People are encouraged to make Supplication (Dua), Remembrance of Allah (Thikr) and to recite the Quran throughout the day. Fasting concludes at sunset with the Maghreb prayer and the breaking of fast with a meal (Iftar).

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It is recommended that at least one full reading of the Quran from cover to cover must be completed during Ramzan. The words of the Quran are primarily divided by chapter (surah) and verse (ayat). The chapters vary in length, and generally are ordered from longest to shortest.

To ease the reading process, the Quran is additionally divided into 30 equal sections, called called a juz' (plural: ajiza). The divisions of juz' do not fall evenly along chapter lines, and often break from one section to another in the middle of a chapter.

These divisions are done to make it easier for one to pace the reading over a month's period, reading a fairly equal amount each day.

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Ramzan is actually a time of increased activity wherein the believer, now lightened of the burdens of constant eating and drinking, should be more willing to strive and struggle for Allah.

Thus, although Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and intimate relations with their spouse during the daylight hours, this freed up time is spend on contemplation and utilized to increase their faith by actively increasing in worship. 

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In this way, perceiving Ramzan as a time of heightened activity challenges the misconception about fasting being an excuse to go into a state of semi-hibernation.

All in all, it is an opportunity for spiritual as well as physical purification.

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Fasting is a complete purification and a means to developing the consciousness of Allah's presence.

It allows a believer to draw closer to their Lord, as God opens the doors of Mercy during this month.

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A crucial factor in developing this awareness is appreciating the bounties one has and learning the true meaning of contentment and gratification.

No longer does the self covet more, rather it learns to appreciate blessings.

This is not only a mental appreciation but the believer physically feels for the poor and needy, by experiencing to some degree what they feel. 

Naturally, this makes one become more benevolent and generous. Charity -- an Islamically obligatory act- thus reaches a heightened new level, whereby the joy is of the donor precedes that of the recipient.

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The date of Ramzan varies every year, A lunar month is approximately 29.5 days, which is the time it takes for the moon to orbit the earth.

Because 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, Ramzan comes 10-12 days earlier each year.

This way Muslims get to fast when the days are very warm and long in summer as well as when they are cool and short in winter.

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