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EmailLearn about the holiday of Ramadan and when the Ramadan observance begins for 2013.
What is Ramadan?
The holiday honors the time when Allah, via the angel Gabriel, revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, to a caravan trader named Muhammad. Muslims believe that fasting cleanses the body, and the practice reminds them of the suffering of the poor. Beginning at age 12, all Muslims take part in the monthlong sunrise-to-sunset fast that is the hallmark of Ramadan. Eating and drinking (including water) is prohibited during daylight hours, and the day's abstinence is offset by a nightly meal known as iftar. Food is often shared with a poor family during Ramadan. At the end of the 30-day fast is Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast), when there is much feasting and celebration.
Ramadan Start Dates
| Year | First day of Ramadan (fasting begins) |
| 2012 | Friday, July 20 |
| 2013 | Tuesday, July 9 |
| 2014 | Sunday, June 29 |
If you observe Ramadan, please share your traditions below!
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Comments
By fatimatu sahaabi on May 18
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Thanks a lot for the knowledge
By Sister Lateefah on May 17
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Bismillah. As-Salaam Alaikum. This is one of the most beautiful threads I have read about Islam, The Prophet, and the faith, on a non-Muslim site. Peace and Blessings to the Almanac Staff for providing the opportunity for such sharing. May Allah (God) bless you / us all. AllahuAkbar!
By IAM123 on May 7
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Yes, Kahdija (Rahdi Allaho Anha) was the first person that The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told about his message of Islam upon returning from the cave. Kahdija Rahdi Allaho Anha wasted no time at all to accept Islam. Masha Allah
By Ali Sami on May 4
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Asalamoalikum...... I love my religion Islam.... May ALLAH PAAK BLESS YOU ALL.... JAZAKALLAH KHAIR..... Asalamoalikum
By malik
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CORRECTION: Allah revealed the first verse to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) not the angle gabriel.
By Almanac Staff
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Sentence revised. Thank you for your feedback!
By I just want to learn more about Islam!!
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All of these comments were great. But I have one question,which is wasn't Khadijah (radhiyallaho anha) like years older then prophet Muhammad (SAW)? I have this book and I read about it and my mother told me story that she learnt from her parents about Islam, and wasn't Khadijah the first woman to convert to Islam? If I'm wrong please correct me.
By jlb
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Yes you are correct she was several years older then he was.
By Shehu
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NO umm Sumaya was the first female to accept the teachings of Al Islam
By Arshad
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Kahdija, may Allah please with her, was first Muslim convert, Summaya was first female who gave her life for Islam.
By jlb
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I think you are mistaken, it was Khadijah who was the first woman. From what I was taught in class at the masjid and have found on the internet this is the correct answer.
Salaam alaikum
By nataliej
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Since reverting to Islam ..it has brougjt me much peace and direction.I made through my frist Rahmadan and there is no greater feeling of.innrr preace and being in tune with Allah
By jlb
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Nataliej, as a convert myself (33yrs now) may I wish you the best in your years to come and in your knowledge gained.
By ishaku bashir yakubu
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islam is truely a religion of Allah. i love it.
By abdul rahman on May 19
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Marshallah!!!!.....
By jlb
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Yes I love it with all my heart.
By Mr. Ameen
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Also important to mention Islam means submission to The God and Muslim means one who submits to The God. This is not a new religion as all taught the same from Adam to Abraham, Moses, Jesus to Muhammad (prayers of peace and blessings of The God be on all of them).
The differences are primarily introduced by people. There is only One God and One Faith. God guide us all. Amin.
I enjoyed reading all comments
Peace
By Hajj
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R U Kidding -
He was NOT just a Prophet and Messenger of God but Muhammad (PBUH) was also a direct descendant of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), A Member of the Leading and well respected Families (Hashahmite / Quarish, a Father, a Husband, StatesMan, Founder and Leader of the First Islamic State, a General the sincerely cared for All of our welfare
By Almanac Staff
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Phrase "desert-wandering" removed. Thank you for your feedback!
By Roger111
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The terminology "desert-wandering caravan trader named Muhammad"
Seems to imply that he was wandering the desert aimlessly.
That is not accurate.
He was a trader by profession. He used to take goods from Saudi Arabia to Syria, vice versa.
He was also a philosopher and used to think a lot about creation of the universe, and wanted to get answers to the universal questions like "Why are we here?"
By A follower of Islam
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You got it half right. Yes Mohammed (peace be upon him) was a trader in his early life, working for Gadaja (later became his wife for 25 years until her death – She was 16 years older).
He did think about many things including why we are here and how (or who) created us. His people worshiped idols which he did not agree with and did not accept. At age 40, the angel Gabriel descended from heaven and informed Mohammed that he is Allah’s (God’s) chosen messenger to mankind with the message of Islam.
Sorry, but he was not a philosopher. Calling him a philosopher has the implication that he concocted Islam based on his own vision and philosophy, not so.
By jlb
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His wife's name was Khadijah I am sure of this I named my daughter after her. May Allah give us all the best in this world and in the hereafter.
By seife kebede
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very nice religion education
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