The word Ramadan comes from the noun Ramad, which refers to "the heat of the stones arising

from the intense heat of the sun.Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar where Muslims around the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn till dusk. It begins with the sighting of the new moon. But Ramadhan is not just about fasting. It is a time to refocus our attention on God, learn patience , and practice self-sacrifice.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was reported to have said that "When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened." Fasting in Ramadan is also an opportunity to atone for one's sins. Abu Hurayrah quoted the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying, "Who ever fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah will have all of his previous sins forgiven."

Fasting also provides protection from evil for those who sincerely fast. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was reported to have said, "Fasting is a shield."
Allah has a special reward which He personally gives one who fasts faithfully. Abu Hurayrah related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) quoted Allah as saying, "Every act of Adam's descendants is for themselves, except fasting. It is meant for Me alone, and I alone will give the reward for it." The Quran, which is the last and only unchanged book of Divine Guidance remaining in the world, was revealed during this month.

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous. Quran (2:183)

Cleaning the teeth with the siwak (tooth-stick) or its modern substitute, the toothbrush.

Eating or drinking accidentally or out of forgetfulness Bathing, swimming, or sitting in water while fasting is permissible. For someone to rinse out the mouth or to taste food or drink which is being prepared,

spitting it all back out without swallowing any of the food or drink, is also permissible.

Donating blood or unintentional vomiting does not break the fast Taking medicine by way of injection, nasal sprays or eye drops .

Swallowing one's saliva does not break the fast.

Cutting nails, hair etc.

The Condition of Making the Intention (Niyyah) Before Fajr is compulsory for Obligatory Fasts but not for Voluntary Fasts: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: He who does not resolve to fast before it is Fajr, there is no fast for him. Even if one does not wake up for suhoor to simply make up ones mind before sleeping that one will be fasting the next day is sufficient.

Before the beak of dawn,a meal called suhoor is eaten which begins the fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged his followers to take this meal, even if it is only a drink of water. Anas ibn Malik said that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Take suhur for surely there is barakah (blessing) in it." A person has the right to finish eating the food or drink which is in his hand when the adhan is called. Abu Hurayrah reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "If one of you hears the adhan and a vessel remains in his hand, he should not put it down until he has had what he desires from it."

It is highly recommended that the fast be broken as soon as Maghrib (setting of the sun) occurs. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "People will remain happy and prosperous as long as they hasten to break the fast." It is also recommended that the fast be broken with dates and water if available. Anas ibn Malik said, "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to break his fast with a few dates just before the beginning of SalatulMaghrib. If fresh dates were not available he would break his fast by drinking a little water."

Laylat al-Qadr

Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is! The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [Jibril] descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, will all decrees. (That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn. (Quran, Surat al-Qadr: 97)

Given the tremendousness of this night, it is recommended to seek this night, and to worship Allah in it, with prayer, supplication (du`a), remembrance (dhikr), and other actions. Although there are different reports in different traditions regarding the exact night, it is almost unanimous that the blessed night occurs in one of the last ten nights of Ramadhaan and more probably in one of the last ten odd nights i.e. 2lst, 23rd, 25th 27th or 29th night.

Zakah al-Fitr is only Wajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salah al-Eid (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). It can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahabah [companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him)] used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eid.

1.What does Nisab mean? Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth required to make a person liable to pay Zakat. Nisab is the equivalent to 87.5g of gold in its current monetary value. 2.How is Nisab calculated? The value of gold changes every day, so it is best to check on the day of calculation, to get the most accurate value. Whatever is the value of 87.5g of gold is the nisab for that day. 3.How much money must one have before they are liable to pay Zakat? A person must own either the equivalent of the nisab value or more, for a complete lunar year before they are liable to pay Zakat. 4. Do I need to make an intention to pay Zakat? Yes, Zakat is an obligation and the validity of it depends on the intention made by the person who pays it. 5.How is Zakat calculated? Zakat is calculated as just 2.5% of a persons total wealth, provided that the person is the owner of wealth which totals or is higher than the Nisab.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the conclusion of the month of fasting on the first of Shawwal the tenth month of the Hijri calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy. On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This is followed by a speech or khutbah .