Ramadan is the most blessed month in Islam. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the fourth pillar of the Muslim faith. Fasting is prescribed for all able Muslims, as mentioned in the following verse of the Quran.
“O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you so that you may be God-fearing.” [2:183]
Besides being an obligatory act of worship, fasting is also a matter of immense reward. Allah (SWT) has made fasting and praying in Ramadan a means of forgiveness of sins. According to a hadith of the Prophet (SAW),
“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari, 2014]
Virtues of the Holy Month
Revelation of the Quran:
Ramadan is a month of great virtue. Allah (SWT) has blessed it with the honour of the revelation of the Quran. With Allah’s (SWT) command, angel Jibril brought the first verses of the Quran on a special night of the glorious month.
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
The revelation started on this beautiful night, which carries more reward than a thousand months. This is the night of decree, characterised by mercy in abundance and the presence of the noble angels.
“Verily, We have sent it (this Quran) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” [al-Qadr 97:1]
The believers strive to seek the blessings of this distinctive night by engaging in supplication, prayers, reflection, and acts of charity.
Gates of paradise are opened:
Another special characteristic granted to Ramadan is that Allah (SWT) opens the gates of paradise and closes the gates of hell in this month. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up.” [Bukhari 1898]
Redemption from hellfire:
Ramadan is the month of Mercy in abundance - a time for seeking redemption from hellfire. Every night during the holy month, there are people whom Allah (SWT) redeems from Fire. The Prophet (SAW) said:
“At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people whom He redeems.” [Sahih al-Targhib 987]
Qiyam:
Praying Tarawih in Ramadan contains great benefits. According to a hadith,
“Whoever prays qiyam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” [Abu Dawud 1370]
Umrah:
Umrah in Ramadan is considered equivalent to the pilgrimage of Hajj. In a hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said to a woman from amongst Ansar, “When Ramadan comes, go for Umrah, for Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj.” [Bukhari 1782]
Itikaf:
Observing Itikaf in Ramadan is also a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). According to a hadith reported by Aisha (R.A.), she said that the Prophet (SAW) performed Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until he passed away. After him, his wives continued the Itikaf tradition.
Feed the Fasting:
Ramadan brings the opportunity to feed the fasting throughout the month. Iftar is the perfect time to share and distribute food to friends, neighbours and also those in need. Besides this, the spirit of giving in Ramadan means the believers donate more to charities. This helps charitable organisations support those suffering from hunger and food poverty. There is immense reward for those who feed people in need during Ramadan.
“Whoever gives Iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest.” [Tirmidhi, 807]
Ramadan in the UK
Muslims in the UK celebrate Ramadan with traditional fervour. A lot of places see public Iftar where both Muslims and non-Muslims are welcome to share exquisite food. The mosques also open their venues for community Iftars, prayers and worship. People from various cultures come together to celebrate their faith and create spaces for others to learn about Muslims and Islam.
To find out about the Ramadan timetable in the UK, browse the relevant pages of Charity Meals’s website.
Important Dates and Times in Ramadan 2024
It is essential for a Muslim to have correct information about the important dates and times for fasting. Like all Islamic months, the beginning of Ramadan is determined by moonsighting. Sighting the new moon is a significant step towards establishing the dates of Laylat-al-Qadr, the last ten nights and the end of Ramadan. This is necessary to ensure the rewards of the most blessed night and to find out the timing of Itikaf and the date of Eid-al-Fitr.
Ramadan 2024 Key Dates
This year, the Ramadan start date will be ten days earlier than last year’s Ramadan. Due to following the lunar calendar, the dates of Islamic months move ahead every year. In 2024, Ramadan is anticipated to begin near 10 or 11 March, depending on the moonsighting. The holy month lasts 29 or 30 days and ends when the new moon for the next month is sighted. The end of Ramadan is marked by the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, which is expected to be around 10 April but can vary according to the new moon.
For your convenience, Charity Meals has put together the necessary information on their website. Stay on top of the dates and timing to begin your fasts and prayers. Browse Charity Meals’ web pages to access the Ramadan fasting timetable and Ramadan prayer timetable.
Ramadan Timetable 2024
Our timetable for Ramadan is a handy tool to keep track of your fasting days. To make sure you do not miss out on good deeds, Charity Meals has provided vital information in the Ramadan 2024 timetable. Browse the website for all the key dates and fasting times during the holy month.
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