When Is Ramadan 2020; Significance Of Iftar And Sehri During Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is held every year by the Muslims all around the world. It is a month-long celebration of fasting (sawm) in order to honour and remember the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad as per to the Islamic belief.
The day is also known from various other names such as Ramazan, romanized as Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan. This yearly celebration is considered to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month carry on 29 to 30 days grounded on the visual sightings of the semi-circular moon, as per to the several biographical accounts assembled in the hadiths.
When is Ramadan 2020?
Ramadan 2019 is going to begin in the evening of Thursday, 23 April 2020 and will end in the evening of Sunday, 23 May 2020.
Ramadan Fasting And Other Practices
Despite the fact of fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims also refrain from intaking food, drinking liquids, smoking, as well as engaging in sexual relations. Other than fasting, Muslims are also instructed to refrain from any kind of sinful behavior such as insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, and fighting except in self-defense. These behaviors may contradict the reward of fasting.
The Pre-fast meals which are consumed before dawn are known as Suhoor, while on the other hand, the post-fast breaking feasts consumed after the sunset are called Iftar. Spiritual rewards (thawab) for fasting are also assumed to be increased within the month of Ramadan. Fasting for Muslims for the duration of Ramadan usually comprises of the increased offering of salat (prayers), recitation of the Quran as well as an increase of doing noble deeds and offerings.
Ramadan Observances
- Sawm (fasting)
- Reading the Quran
- Zakat and sadaqah (alms giving)
- Taraweeh prayer (Sunni Muslims)
- Remembering and honouring nights of al-Qadr (Shia and Sunni Muslims)
- Refraining from all bad deeds and staying humble and doing good deeds and charity.
Significance of Iftar and Sehri During the Month of Ramadan
A lot of Muslims read their prayers and observe ritualistic fasts for the period of Ramadan which is called Roza. These fasts are representative of their commitment and religious enthusiasm towards God. For an entire month, people are ready to let go of worldly desires and fast with their family and friends.
Throughout this month of fasting, they wake up early in the morning to eat Sehri. The Pre-fast meals which are consumed before dawn are called Sehri, where they eat all filling foods that are from dates and fruits to sweet vermicelli and milk, after which they refrain from eating a single grain of food till the sundown. Not even the food, but also they don’t drink a single drop of water throughout the day.
In the late afternoon, people who have been fasting all day, come together to break or open their fast with some of the dates. It is said that when Prophet Mohammed break his fast, he did the same. As per to legends, he had a total of three dates and some water. The post-fast breaking feasts consumed after the sunset are called Iftar. Iftar is loaded with energetic delicacies, ranging from healthy kebabs, delicious tikkas, and superb biryanis to kormas and soothing nihari.
At the end of the feast, there is a range of desserts in sheer khurma which is a delightful milky pudding that is made with vermicelli and saffron. Other than khurma, other sweet dishes such as kheer and phirni are also served as desserts.
