Once again the Muslim Community will begin fasting. Ramadan is a very blessed and holy month for Muslims.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is called Ramadan and it is the most meritorious month of the year for Muslims. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

During this month, healthy Muslim adults observe fasting during dawn to sunset. Muslim fasting is a total abstention from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan(depending on the sighting of the new moon). Also, avoiding immoral behaviour and anger and showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. Ramadan also improves health by reducing or eliminating impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight of the poor, hungry, and the sick people around the world.

Ramadan is a month of spiritual consciousness and high sense of social responsibilities. All sinful acts should be avoided completely during the month of Ramadan. Although the sinful acts are totally prohibited in the Shareeah, whether in Ramadan or any other time, the following acts in particular should be avoided totally:

l Telling a lie

l Backbiting

l Quarrelling

l Eating unlawful things

l Earning through unlaw

ful means

l Any act which may

harm a person.

In short, one should try their best to refrain from all kinds of sins and protect their eyes, ears, tongue and all other organs from indulging in any unlawful activity according to Islamic law.

Once a Muslim spends the month of Ramadan in this way, they will find themselves equipped with spiritual strength which will facilitate them to conduct a good life of respecting others around them, their parents, teachers, elders and people in need of their help and support (ie, the poor and the ill).

It teaches us equality because hunger is the same for everyone whether rich or poor. If we implement patience throughout our lives I am certain the world will be a better place to live.