The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root 'ramida' or 'ar-ramad', which means scorching heat or dryness. As the fundamental aspect of Ramadan is fasting, it is believed the name 'Ramadan' may signify the burning desire for drinking water and food. It may also refer to the belief that fasting with a pure intention and with religious blessings burns away the earlier sins.
According to the Muslim faith, observing the fast with absolute faith and unpolluted intentions will confer remittance of all his sins. It is believed that fasting midst the holy spirit of Ramadan is thirty times more potent than fasting any other time of the year.
The holy month of Ramadan commemorates two of the most significant events in the history of the Islamic religion. One of them is the belief that on this sacred month the first verses of the holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad.
Around 610AD, Prophet Mohammad used to roam around the desert near Mecca, which is now situated in Saudi Arabia. He spent his time contemplating about faith in God and society.
One night from the night sky a divine voice called to him. It was the voice of Jibril or angel Gabriel. He told Mohammad that he has been chosen to receive the word of almighty Allah. Angel Gabriel handed over a golden tablet to Mohammad and asked him to read from it.
It is believed that on the golden tablet the essence of Quran was inscribed. And within a few days, Mohammad found himself reciting the verses that would be later transcribed as Quran, the holiest book of Islam.
Another significant event that took place on the month of Ramadan is the Battle of Badr - which is the first battle between Mecca aand Medina. The battle of Badr was fought in the present day Saudi Arabia, on March 17, 624CE that is 17 Ramadan 2 AH in the Islamic calendar. It was a defining moment in the Islamic history. The inhabitants of Mecca were worshipers of Idols or of pagan religion and the people of Medina were devout Muslims. Prophet Mohammad led the people of Medina against the pagan citizens of Mecca and with divine interventions manifested by the miracles of Allah; they won over the people of Mecca.
Muslims and people of Mecca were engaged in small conflicts in late 623 and early 624. In the battle of Badr Muhammad was leading a raiding party against a caravan when a much larger Quraishi army stunned him. But the skilled warriors led by Muhammad managed to crush the Meccan warriors, killing well known leaders including Muhammad's primary adversary, Amr ibn Hisha-m. This victory, which occurred on the holy month of Ramadan, was extremely significant as it was an indication that they are going to eventually win over Mecca, with the help of Prophet Mohammed.
This battle gets special mention in the holy Quran and all existing information of that battle comes from the traditional Islamic versions, recorded in Hadiths and biographies of Muhammad. According to some scholars, one of the most enduring influences of the Battle of Badr may be the practice of fasting during Ramadan, which many argue that the Muslims initiated it as a way of commemorating the victory at Badr.
These religious and historical anecdotes pertaining to the origin of the holy month of Ramadan are significant to understand the true meaning of the observances. Ramadan is not just about fasting and praying along with your family and friends. These are the first steps in striving to sanctify the soul and enhancing the Imaan, which is the fundamental objective. Disregarding the mundane desires and concerns, contemplating on the inner self and fostering a greater devotion to Allah is the essential purpose of Ramadan.
Ramadan is a time for increased religious devoutness and self-judgment. It is the time to go through rigorous self-discipline and seek religious blessings. The spirit of Ramadan inspires the believer to have complete faith in Allah and to seek celestial blessings and mercy to protect himself from the Hellfire. This is the month to rekindle allegiance and renew the relationship with the Creator.
Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the moon. Hence each new month begins with the sighting of the new moon. As the lunar calendar is almost eleven days shorter than the solar calendar, therefore the date of the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 'move' each year.
Moon is an essential part of the Islamic religion in general and the observances of Ramadan in particular. The moon has a spiritual as well as a cultural significance and it compliments the spirit of Ramadan.
The most well known symbol of Ramadan is the moon or the crescent moon which may signify a concurrence of the moon and the planet Venus that took place in the morning sky of July 23, 610. According to many this was the night on the month of Ramadan in which the Prophet Mohammad received the first verses of the Holy Quran from angel Gabriel. Though it is quite similar to the actual night of the first revelation but its historical authenticity can be disputed. But still, it is the sight of the new moon which marks the beginning of Ramadan and prompts people to wish "Ramadan Mubarak"
Since 1453, Muslims form all around the world began using the Moon as their symbol, though the Ottoman Empire was using the symbol long before that. Even the Byzantines, witnessing the conjunction of the moon and Venus, started to use the crescent around 610 AD.
The symbol of moon in the Islam is derived from the Arabs and their geography. The "Fertile Crescent" includes modern day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt.
The Star and Crescent moon symbolizes concentration, candidness and triumph, as well as sovereignty and divinity.
In the year 1299, Sultan Osman had a vision of a crescent moon stretching over the world, right after he conquered Turkey. Since then the crescent moon became the symbol of Ottoman dynasty. Finally when the city of Constantinople surrendered to Muhammad II, the crescent moon became a symbol of Islam as well. Sultan Selim III later added the star in 1793.
Along with the moon, the color green also enjoys a significant place in the cultural and religious context of Islam. Most of the flags of Muslim countries as well as the mosques are painted green. According to many this was the favorite color of Muhammad. Moreover, Muhammad wore green colored turban and cloak. Other considers that the green color simply symbolizes life and nature.