Ramadan (Ramadhan)

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RAMADAN (ramadhan)

Ninth month of the Islamic calendar, lasting twenty-nine or thirty days. Ramadan is a month of fasting, which is one of the five obligations of Islam, and so between sunrise and sunset the believer abstains from smoking; partaking of food or drink; telling lies, gossiping and engaging in other unethical behavior; and engaging in sex. At sunset everyone breaks the fast, usually in a large meal with family and friends (iftar). The end of the month of Ramadan is celebrated with a feast, the ʿId al-Fitr. Between the 27 and 28 Ramadan falls the Night of Destiny (lailat al-qadr), when according to a widespread belief everyone's fate is decided. For some this date marks the first revelation of the Qurʾan to Muhammad.

SEE ALSO Hijra;ʿId al-Fitr;Islamic Calendar;Muhammad;Qurʾan.

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Ramadan (Ramadhan)

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