Ramadan Kareem – A Complete Guide

Ramadan Kareem is the month of blessings, abundance, and infinite bounties of Allah(SWT). It is the month in which an individual can transform his/her life completely from sinful to noble and revive their lifestyle according to the Uswah-e-Hasana (Prophet Muhammad S.A.W’s Life).

This holy month is one of the sacred months in Islam and teaches us how to live without drinking water and eating food for about three-quarters of the day and build self-control. Muslims practice sacrifice, care for others, and courage to help the poor and needy during the Ramadan of the Islamic calendar.

Ramadhan adds patience and brings prosperity to the believers’ lives. The blessed month of Ramadan has many physical and mental health benefits that turn life into a beautiful and exemplary Islamic lifestyle. To provide you with complete knowledge about all aspects of Ramadan Kareem, keep reading this interesting and informative blog!

History Of Ramadan Kareem

The history of Ramadan shows that in 610, the first revelation was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This was the time for the start of Islam, the Qur’an, and the prophetic responsibility for preaching Islam in Arab society. This process continues until the completion of the Quran.

During this period, When the Prophet (SAW) migrated towards Madina in 624, then this month was declared for fasting practice as an obligatory prayer and the fourth pillar of Islam. This month was called a sacred and blessed month under Quran revelations. This was all about the origin of Ramadan, how it begins and how fasting becomes an obligatory prayer.

What Is The Meaning Of Ramadan

Mostly, Muslims don’t know about “what is the meaning of Ramadan”. This useful information will help them in understanding the meaning of Ramadan in Islam.

Well, the word “Ramadan” is derived from the Arabic word “Ar-Ramad” which means “ intense scorching heat” or “parching thirst”. In Arab literature, it is also meant as “Sun-baked ground”.

This term shows the expression of extreme hunger or thirst. This is also pronounced as “Ramadhan, Ramazan, Ramzan, or Ramadan Al-Kareem. The comprehensive Ramadan kareem meaning shows that is a practice of hunger and thirst for about half of a day.

Meaning Of Ramadan In Islam

The meaning of Ramadan in Islam shows that it is not just a practice of hunger and thirst or self-control, it is much more than this. It teaches how to build control over your soul to not get indulged in sinful activities and how to be satisfied and happy in the Will of Allah. It also has a lesson about making a deeper connection with Allah and The Prophet(SAW) by following the Islamic pattern of living life. 

In the Quran, Allah Has narrated the importance of “Ramadan in Islam” in a way;

“يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ.”

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
[Surah Baqarah, Verse: 183]

In another Surah, Allah Has mentioned about the worth and significance of Ramadan and fasting in Islam,

“إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍتَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ.”

“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”
[Surah Al-Qadr]

The Prophet Muhammad-e-Mustafa(SAW) once said;

“When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”
[Bukhari]

These Quranic verses and Ramadan Hadiths show that Ramadan is not only an ordinary Islamic month. It is a way to get back to Allah by following the Quraan and the Prophet’s path which is the only source of getting the “Righteous Path”. This ninth month of the Islamic calendar is a reminder for all to have a look over consciousness and not to get astray on the wrong path. Don’t lose this Ramadan of the Islamic calender 2024!

When Is Ramadan 2024?

Well, the exact date for Ramadan 2024 is still being determined as it depends upon the lunar cycle of the Ramadan moon. This year, the expected dates according to the lunar rotations of the moon are given in the following description;

• 10th March 2024
• 11th March 2024

The first Ramadan can be one of these mentioned dates and in the Muslim community, the Ramadan decorations are on peak in their houses for the welcoming and celebrations of this blessed month!

When Does Ramadan End?

The expected dates for Ramadan to be concluded this year are;

• 9th April 2024
• 10th April 2024

Muslims also recite the Ramadan ending dua on the last days of Ramadan to get more blessings from Allah and to accept their Ramadan fasting prayers.

Ramadan Fasting Rules

Certain dos and don’ts during Ramadan should be strictly followed if the person is fasting in Ramadan. The Sunnah and the Islamic Sharia have mentioned some Ramadan fasting rules according to the teachings of the Qur’an. The Muslims are supposed to follow these instructions, if they do not follow these then the fasting prayer is not acceptable in front of Allah.

In the Hadith, Beloved Prophet Muhammad(SAW) mentioned that 

“Whoever doesn’t give up lying and acting on lies during fasting, then Allah does not need for him to give up food and drink”.
[Ref: Al-Bukhari, Al-Sahih, Kitab al-Soom, chapter min lim yada’ Qul al-Zur and al-Walam bah fi al-Soom, 2: 673, amount: 1804—]

The list of do’s and don’ts during Ramadan fasts is described below;