Meaning of the Word Ramadan

Imām ar-Raghib said:

Ramaḍān is taken from the word ramad which means that which is intensely or vehemently heated by the sun.  And the word ramdhaa means the intense heat of the sun. [The Arabs used to say about] the sheep that they were ‘burned (ramidat) while they were grazing under the scorching heat of the sun to the extent that their livers became damaged (by the intense heat of the sun). Ramaḍān was named such because it burns the sins of the believers. [1]

Imām al-Zamarkhshari wrote:

‘’When they changed the names of the months from the ancient language, they named them according to the seasons in which they fell, and this month fell in the days of intense heat and that is why it was named Ramaḍān’’. [2]


Imām Qurtubi narrates:

‘’It (this month) was named Ramaḍān because it burns the sins of people with righteous deeds’’. [3]


How does Allāh burn our sins?

The Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is reported to have said: “…Whoever draws nearer (to Allāh) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time… ” [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

Therefore one of the main ways in which Allāh eradicates and deletes our sins and wrong doings is by multiplying our deeds in the month of Ramaḍān and erases our sins because the hasanat (good deeds) eliminates the sayyi’aat (bad deeds).
The experience is very distinctive. A person may see other men coming as brothers, irrespective of color, status or anything else, shoulder to shoulder for namaz (prayer). There is a feeling of peace within the soul. As the imam leading the namaz performs sajda (prostration) and recites the prayers, other do the same behind him.


An interesting feeling of mental peace is experienced, something that removes a man from this world for a few minutes, when he feels God's essence with him. At that point the supplication goes on and closes. After supplication there is Islamic instructing for the general population in the mosque. At long last all offer salaams to the cherished prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) by discussing a Nath Sharif (a religious tune in affection for the heavenly prophet). Every one of the men at that point ask together and scatter. In India Muslim ladies ordinarily implore in their homes.

The day starts with supplication and there is an extremely recognized sort of certainty imparted in the hearts of Muslims who perform petitions and are fasting. There is a cognizance that "Allah is watching me and every one of my deeds, and I should be a decent Muslim." In the day hours the test is to control your craving and thirst, give zakat (philanthropy to poor people), implore at all the recommended times, and do nothing incorrectly. One goes to fill in not surprisingly, however in Ramadan each Muslim ought to abstain from talking severely about their supervisors, or getting to be in charge of any sort of non-execution at work. That would bring about intentionally making a misfortune for your supervisor or the venture utilizing you, which is a transgression. Subsequently the quick would break.

Through every whole day of Ramadan, each Muslim should endeavor to discover an open door where he can accomplish something useful for others. In the event that he or she could stop a battle between two individuals it is an extraordinary thawab. Doing your work in the correct soul is likewise a thawab. The more thawab a man wins in his lifetime the better it is for him, however in the long stretch of Ramadan the thawab given to a Muslim for his great deeds is multiplied.

In India, Ramadan is an extremely exceptional month. Muslims, Hindus, Christians and even a few Jews and Buddhists all live respectively. The majority of the non-Muslims in India know about Ramadan and the practices Muslims follow in the fasting month. A portion of my Hindu companions who are of high repute to me likewise quick only for the experience. India is a decent place to observe Ramadan. Muslims welcome the non-Muslims for iftar, which is an upbeat time. Just before iftar all sit together and go to Allah to pardon them on the off chance that they have submitted any wrongdoing amid their quick.

At that point, when the maghrib (evening) azan is given the quick is broken by eating a date, after which a man can eat anything. Iftar ordinarily keeps going around 10 to 15 minutes. Supporting iftar is an incredible thawab, however just some have the budgetary assets to support iftars. In India, where there are numerous poor Muslims, mosques are full amid the season of iftar. Supplications are said before iftar likewise for the patrons of the iftar. In India, a large portion of the Muslim men go to the mosques to break their fasts. That is an impression of the nearby culture. It is done to win thawab and furthermore to see that the supporter of the iftar gets more thawab. In the event that old men touch base to iftar, maybe ultimately of maghrib supplications, at that point they are given a seat to eat. Indeed, even following an entire day of appetite Muslins don't consider having the iftar without sharing nourishment. After iftar, individuals go for maghrib supplications, and some young fellows intentionally approach and wash every one of the plates, tidy up all the waste and after that backpedal to their homes.

After an interim, all seek the last isha namaz (night supplications). In Ramadan, after isha petitions there are likewise extra tarawih supplications. All implore together and afterward describe a few parts of Islam outside the mosque. At that point they come back to their homes. In the night the greater part of the general population invest energy with their families, some read the sacred Qur'an, others implore extra nafil petitions. The day closes with petitions on the lips. A fulfillment in the heart is felt. A fulfillment and an expectation that "today I endeavored to be a decent Muslim. On the off chance that I live tomorrow I might keep on being a superior Muslim."

May Allāh subḥānahu wa ta'āla (celebrated and magnified be He) wreck by the light of His raḥmah all our past sins, and may He make every one of us among His workers who get the happy news of absolution.