Ramadan (calendar month)

This article is about the Islamic calendar month called Ramadan. For information about the holiday and religious observances by the same name, see Ramadan (religious observances). Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: ) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.The word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd "to burn". Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The month is spent fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to dusk. The name came from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought to figuratively burn away all sins. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the earth during this month. Furthermore, Muhammad (PBUH) told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed. The first day of the next month is spent in celebrations and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or `Eid ul-Fitr.
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