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Known as the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is considered to be a special month among Muslims. Deemed as a time of self control, inner reflection and devotion to God, Ramadan is observed by over one billion followers around the world. As one of the five principal pillars of Islam, it is an obligatory adherence among Muslims and has many special benefits. It is essentially a time of fasting, which is observed for a total of 29 to 30 days. One of the main observances during Ramadan is self control. As a sacred and auspicious month, there are a number of practices Muslims have to adhere to, from refraining from sexual intercourse to avoiding irreligious and obscene sights and sounds. This is done in order to learn self-discipline and self-control, especially when facing the need to succumb to materialistic pleasures and temptations. By staying away from temptations during the daylight of hours of fasting, the followers become closer to God, by concentrating on their spiritual nature. It also serves as a way of experiencing the constant hunger of the less fortunate, and developing a sense of empathy towards their needs. Invariably, Muslims learn to appreciate the gifts and blessings they have in their lives, and be thankful for God’s bountiful nature. As a secondary goal, it also provides a mean for Muslims to break away from the cycle of overindulgences and bad habits. By changing their behavior, Muslims are able to purify their soul, cleansing the body and mind. Ramadan or “the month of blessing”, as it is often called, is also known as a time for intensive worship. There are a number of special prayers that take place during the month, in addition to the five daily prayers. Muslims also dedicate their time reading the Quran, which is the Holy Book of Islam. Furthermore, Muslims observe a strong sense of charity during Ramadan as it is one of the main adherences during fasting. This is done by giving food and gifts to the poor and the needy. The month ends with the “Ramadan Festival” also known as “Eid al-Fitr”. It is one of the two most significant celebrations in Islam, where people share gifts and food with their loved ones. For those wanting to undertake a trip to Saudi Arabia, there are many Makkah hotels to choose from. One such ideal Makkah hotel is Raffles Makkah Palace Saudi Arabia, which is conveniently located amidst the major attractions in the city, including the Grand Mosque, the Kaaba and Abraj Al Bait complex.
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