What is Ramadan?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The word Ramadan is the name given to the ninth month of the Muslim year (Hijra). It is derived from an Arabic verb (Ramidha) that implies the hot weather during the summer season. The ancient Arabs used to name their months after environmental periods, and Ramadan was named after the hot period. It is the only month that was mentioned in the Quran. Allah Says (what means): {Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran}. [Quran 1:184]

Ramadan has a great place in the hearts of the Muslims as it is the time for one of the pillars of Islam, which is fasting. Allaah has ordained on Muslims to fast it and it is desirable to spend its nights praying and supplicating Allah. In this month, there is a night which is better than a thousand months. The Prophet said: "Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with faith while seeking Allaah's pleasure and reward, will have his previous sins forgiven".

Allaah knows best.