Encomium
The Muslims’ holy month is known and felt by all when it arrives. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and it is known most especially for its significance among the eleven other months of the hijrah calendar. It is believed that the holy book of the Muslims (Al-Quran) was revealed to the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in it. The month is also said to be embedded with a lot of good packages for the believers, prominent among which is the night of Majesty (Lailat-ul-Qadri) where destinies are changed and prayers answered.
The holy month is also divided into three parts among the Muslim faithful. The first ten days of Ramadan is said to be for seeking forgiveness, the second ten days is said to be for seeking blessings and last ten days or on several occasions nine days is said to harbour the night of Majesty; Lailat-ul-Qadri which every muslim longs for because of the believe that destinies are changed on that faithful night.
However, this night is not known to any and this is the major reason why some Muslims do vigil all through the last part of the month.
Meanwhile, Ramadan kick starts at the sight of the moon which is mostly announced by the head of caliphate, the Sultan of Sokoto here in Nigeria. It is reported that the noble prophet instructed his followers that whenever anyone sights the moon and swears in the name of Allah that he sighted it, they should fast. There are also several verses in the holy Quran where Allah told the Muslims to fast in the ninth month of the hijrah calendar. Some of such verses are Quran 2 verses 183&185 which reads:
Q2 vs183
O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (The Pious).
Q2 vs 185
The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and criterion (between right and wrong). So, whoever of you sights (the cresent of the first night
of the month of Ramadan, that is, present at his home), he must observe Saum (fast) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number of days which one did not observe Saum (fast) must have made up from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and he does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah. (that is to say) Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the cresent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.
Nonetheless, the number of days for the month of Ramadan solely depends on the month that precedes it, which is the month of Shaban.
If Shaban is 30 days, then Ramadan will be 29days and vice versa. This year’s Ramadan may start on May 27, depending on the sighting of the moon.
We wish our Muslim brethren Mor’aban bika yah Ramadan.
– AZEEZAT KAREEM and SHUKURAT ALIMI for encomium.ng
