Page 24 - Ramadan 2022

24 LG RAMADAN 2022

Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Kareem

HIS year’s Ramadan also given names in Arabic, which
is here, with Muslims carry the same meanings as bestowed
around the world observ- in the Ramadan greetings.
Ting the month-long fast.
The more common of the greetings WHAT İS RAMADAN?
during the holy month is “Ramadan Fasting during Ramadan is one
Mubarak”, which translates from the of the five pillars of Islam – the
Arabic word meaning “blessed” – the fundamental rules all Muslims
phrase therefore means “Blessed follow – along with the Shahadah
Ramadan”, often used in the same (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer),
way as wishing somebody a “Happy Zakat (charity) and the Hajj pilgrim-
Ramadan”. age. It is when Muslims are required
“Ramadan Kareem” is less com- to spend 30 days observing the fast
monly used, but translates as “Gen- during daylight hours, as a means of
erous Ramadan” – while the phrase celebrating and reflecting on their
can be used as a greeting in a similar faith. Ramadan is based on the cycle
way to “Ramadan Mubarak”, it can of the moon, meaning that the dates
also describe Ramadan in another are different from year to year, and
context. There is some debate around cannot be predicted precisely.
whether using “Ramadan Kareem” is During Ramadan there is an
appropriate, given that the expecta- increased offering of the Salat, with
tion of generosity can be considered Muslims giving thanks to Allah and
against the principles of fasting and reflecting on their lives.
prayer central to observing the holy Beyond fasting, Muslims are also
month. encouraged to read the Quran, with
However, others argue that the the holy text recited at the Tarawih,
greeting can appropriately refer to special nightly prayers held through-
the generosity of acts towards others. out the month. Ramadan literally
Khaled Boudemagh, described by means “scorching heat” in Arabic, and
Gulf News as a Dubai-based language marks the month when the Quran is
expert, said: “Ramadan is a month of said to have been revealed to Prophet
generosity, therefore wish Kareem.” Muhammad by God via the archangel
Both “Mubarak” and “Kareem” are Gabriel in 610 AD.

AKAT (Zakaat, wealth.
Zakah) is a fun- 2. Increases closeness to Importance of Zakat
damental pillar of Allah and Imaan.
ZIslam that each Acts of worship are means of
Muslim is obliged to fulfil closeness to Allah (SWT), and
in their lifetime if they are Allah says in the Qur’an: needy and the poor” [Qur’an across the world do not have who go without the basic ne-
eligible. Along with the other “And My servant does not 70:24-25] 5. It relieves suffer- sufficient means to live a life cessities each day.
sacred pillars, Shahadah (dec- draw near to Me with anything ing and bolsters the Muslim free of suffering. By donating, Zakat is transformative and
laration of oneness of God), more beloved to Me than the community. So many of our you are helping to alleviate powerful and impacts the lives
Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), religious duties I have obligat- Muslim brothers and sisters the immense struggle of those of many who are in need.
and Hajj (pilgrimage), it is an ed upon him.” (Sahih Bukhari)
important duty to incorporate 3. Zakat purifies wealth.
into the purpose of the every- Charity, obligatory or vol-
day life of a Muslim. However, untary is a highly regarded
Zakat (Zakah) is also a rev- deed in Islam and is said to
olutionary concept with the purify whatever remains of the
potential to ease the suffering wealth of a Muslim.
of millions around the world. “Whoever pays the Zakat on
Here are 5 more reasons why his wealth will have its evil
Zakat (Zakah) is important: removed from him” (Ibn Khu-
1. Fulfilment of the five zaimah and at-Tabarani)
pillars. 4. It ensures the re-distribu-
An integral part of being a tion of wealth.
Muslim is fulfilling the five Allah says that those in need
pillars of Islam as ordained have a right over those with
by Allah. Each of these pillars wealth. Zakat is one way of
have their own unique wis- ensuring that those rights are
dom and power in the world. fulfilled. Muslims are remind-
Zakat is special for countless ed of a dear sense of broth-
reasons. These reasons in- erhood and humanity, and
clude the shared responsibility importantly also reminded to
humanity has towards each share their wealth with their
other through Zakat, and the brethren.
important lessons it teaches “Those in whose wealth there
us about our relationship with is a recognised right for the