“Oh, you who believe in Allah’s lordship! decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous,” Surah Baqarah Ayat : 183.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sanctified times for Muslims. In this month, the Holy Qur’an was sent down from Heaven as a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation.

During this month, devotees observe a strict fast from dawn to dusk. They are not allowed to eat or drink (even water), talk unnecessarily, and be intimate with wife during daylight hours. Fasting (sawm) is a private act of worship bringing about nearness to Allah, as well as a form of spiritual discipline and a means to empathise with those less fortunate.

The fasting is broken at the end of the day with prayer and a festive meal called an Iftar. It is customary to visit family and friends following the Iftar.

“Fasting for a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey– then an equal number of days are to be made up. And upon those who are able to fast, but with hardship – a ransom as substitute of feeding a poor person each day. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you knew,” Surah Baqarah Ayat : 184.

During the Ramadan, many Muslims go to the mosque and spend several hours praying. In addition to the five daily prayers that are part of the core of Islam, Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (night prayer).

On the twilight of the 27th day of Ramadan, Muslims observe a special night called Layat al-Qadr, sometimes referred to as the Night of Power. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) first received the verses of Holy Qur’an on this night in a cave on Mount Hira near Makkah.

Like in previous years, Muslims in Bangladesh are set to begin fasting from dawn to dusk for the month of Ramadan on Tuesday. Before that the National Moon-Sighting Committee will hold a meeting at the conference room of the Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office in Dhaka on Monday evening to determine the beginning of the holy month.

On the other hand, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and other Middle-Eastern countries have started fasting on Monday. Typically, Ramadan starts in Bangladesh a day after Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, Muslims in Bangladesh will offer Taraweeh after Isha prayers on Monday night.

This blessed month is a precious gift from Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala to the Muslims. But do we know exactly why this month is so special to Muslims? What exactly is the purpose of this month, and all the blessings associated with it? What are the lessons we are supposed to take away in observing the sanctity of this month?

Certainly, the holy month of Ramadan comes to train us, to guide us, and to remind us of how we should approach the remaining 11 months of the year. Ramadan imparts upon us numerous lessons: How to develop our manners and moral resilience, how to treat our fellow human beings with respect, how to strengthen our brotherhood, how to maintain unity among the Muslim community, and how to be welcoming to all the non-Muslims who share this land with us.

The month also teaches us to be more pious, disciplined, and how to maintain self-control, while shielding our souls from greed and immorality. But, most importantly, the month teaches us how to improve our connection and affinity with the Almighty Allah.