Muslim residents in the city are busy making preparations for observing Ramzan, the holy month during which they believe the Quran was revealed to the Prophet. If the moon is sighted on Saturday, Ramzan will begin on Sunday.
Fasting during the month of Ramzan is one of the five pillars of Islam. "The 'roza' or fasts are observed for 30 days during which we also offer special prayers called 'Tarawih' (after the night prayers 'Isha') in which the entire Quran is recited," Mohammad Asad of Patalipura Colony told TOI on Friday.
During one of the last ten days of Ramzan, Laylat al-Qadr is observed and it is believed that praying throughout this night is equal to praying for a thousand months. While Ramzan is a month of charity acts, Asad said a special charity or 'Fitra' is also given during the waning phase of Ramzan. Many organizations distribute food and clothes etc to the poor. Shops selling fruits, dry-fruits and dates have already come up in Sabzibagh and Duzra areas, among others, and mosques have been spruced up.
The fast without food or water is observed for around 15 hours daily. It starts with 'Sehri' before the sun rises and is broken with 'Iftar' at sunset. Asad's wife Nasreen Rana says it takes almost three hours to prepare the delicacies that are served for 'Iftar'. "We usually break the fast with dates, seasonal fruits, 'sharbat' and 'pakodas', mostly prepared by the womenfolk of the house," she said.
Fasting during the month of Ramzan is one of the five pillars of Islam. "The 'roza' or fasts are observed for 30 days during which we also offer special prayers called 'Tarawih' (after the night prayers 'Isha') in which the entire Quran is recited," Mohammad Asad of Patalipura Colony told TOI on Friday.
During one of the last ten days of Ramzan, Laylat al-Qadr is observed and it is believed that praying throughout this night is equal to praying for a thousand months. While Ramzan is a month of charity acts, Asad said a special charity or 'Fitra' is also given during the waning phase of Ramzan. Many organizations distribute food and clothes etc to the poor. Shops selling fruits, dry-fruits and dates have already come up in Sabzibagh and Duzra areas, among others, and mosques have been spruced up.
The fast without food or water is observed for around 15 hours daily. It starts with 'Sehri' before the sun rises and is broken with 'Iftar' at sunset. Asad's wife Nasreen Rana says it takes almost three hours to prepare the delicacies that are served for 'Iftar'. "We usually break the fast with dates, seasonal fruits, 'sharbat' and 'pakodas', mostly prepared by the womenfolk of the house," she said.
However, Ramzan is not only about fasting during the day and feasting during the night. It involves rounds of prayers to seek blessings and practicing self-restraint. "The entire month is dedicated to prayers and we concentrate on purifying self," Mudassir Alam, working as a PRO with Central University of Bihar, said and added preparations for the holy month started at his home on Friday evening.
"Since the fasting is almost for 15 hours and we have to eat before sunrise, the 'Sehri' is usually light such as milk or curd or fruits, Alam said and added fasting is not mandatory for children.
"Since the fasting is almost for 15 hours and we have to eat before sunrise, the 'Sehri' is usually light such as milk or curd or fruits, Alam said and added fasting is not mandatory for children.
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