Ramadan may start either May 16 or 17

BITOON A RANAO | May 6, 2018

MARAWI CITY: Muslim Filipinos will start their fast during this coming month of Ramadan either on Wednesday, May 16 or Thursday, 17 depending on the visibility of the new moon.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Hijrah, the Muslim lunar year. It is the month when an able Muslim is required to fast from dusk to dawn, thereby abstaining not only food and liquid intake but also thinking bad thoughts, uttering unpleasant words, indulging in carnal desire, and doing other immoral and illegal acts.

An able Muslim will be rewarded by God in fasting during this month, but punished if he does not.

In the eve of the 30th of Sha’ban, Ramadan’s preceding month, Muslim authorities will conduct the new moon-siting using the technology available to them. If the moon is sited, that will be the last day of Sha’ban making it only 29 days, therefore, the following day is the start of the fasting month of Ramadan; if not, Sha’ban will be concluded as thirty days after which, Ramadan will start.

In the Philippines, ARMM’s religious arm, Darul Ifta, in partnership with various Ulama organizations, is making the official announcement whether the new moon has been seen or not.

Ramadan is the month when the Holy Qur’an was revealed unto an illiterate orphan among the Arab Qureish, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his progeny).

It is the month when the angels go down to the earth to watch how believers do their worship during this month. and seek their Creator’s forgiveness, blessing, and mercy for the Muslims who are fasting in obedience to His commands.

Ulama or those learned in Islam religion, have said reasons why the fast.

They say one philosophy of fasting is for him or her to feel the condition of the poor, those who cannot meet both ends, or homeless, or alone, or how they suffer being poor. Experiencing through fasting the condition of the poor will instill pity on him and will help meet their needs.

But above all, the believer is doing this ibaadah or worship to fulfill his reason of being, and be nearer to Him, as His Creator and Sustainer Who declares in the Glorious Qur’an: “We have not created the jinn and the men but to worship Me.” - RSP