Ramadan is the holiest of months in the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Within it lies the holiest of nights- The Night Of Power or better known in Arabic as Lailat-ul Qadr. So basically everything increases in holiness, including the Muslims!

So Arifa, what makes this so holy? I hear you ask!

Well, Muslims believe at around 610 C.E, the first revelation of the Qur'an was sent down by the Angel Gabriel, from Allah (God), to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It was revealed in a cave called Cave Hira. The Angel commanded the Prophet to read the passage given by Allah and the Prophet did so. However, as simply as I've put it, the Prophet was having a hard time... because he was illiterate. Thats right, he didn't know how to read or write. The Angel Gabriel told the Prophet to read not once, but twice, but the Prophet refused because he insisted he couldn't. Finally, thrid time lucky, the Prophet started to read the ten verses even though he had never read anything before! This my friends, is a miracle! The Prophet described reading the Quranic Verses as if they had been engraved onto his heart! 

So long story short, the Qur'an was revealed on a night we now know as the Night of Power during the month of Ramadan.

Okay, okay, there's just so much more to say, but I think I'll stop here before I give you a religious studies lesson even though schools out and summers in. I want this article to be a recount of Ramadan from a girl of the 21st Century (me), not a girl from the 7th!

Ramadan is that special time of year for me. It gives me a chance to repent and reform and start anew. During this month, Muslims have 29 or 30 days to show utmost devotion to Allah, completing obligatory tasks given by Allah which have been mentioned in the Quran (it was written by Allah and only Allah). These include reciting the declaration of faith and believing in it, praying five times a day, giving charity, reading the Quran, and fasting. As well as this, Muslims follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), by performing extra prayers, for example, however this isn't obligatory.

                  
As a Muslim, my religious aims in life are to strengthen my faith, obey Allah, and grab as many rewards as possible to secure a space in Heaven. It has been said by Allah that during Ramadan, one good deed equals to 1000 months of worship. Wow bonus! You're probably thinking my religious life sounds like a computer game where I have to collect all the coins and complete all the levels, well thats okay since as a Muslim, I believe that life on earth is a   test to determine if I go to Heaven or not. This month is all about performing good deeds. The value of a single good deed has increased immensley! Imagine how much easier that would be to get my good deeds to outweigh my bad deeds! Sounds easy, but trust me, when you're living in a society with all these distractions, you're going to slip up quite a lot. It's tough but asking Allah for forgiveness is what I opt for next!

You guys should know by now that I live in the UK. I am having to fast for 18 hours straight without drinking any water, from 3 o'clock in the morning to 9 o'clock in the evening. I keep pitying myself, but as soon as one of those charity adverts come up, I shut myself up. There are women, men, boys, girls, and babies out there who aren't receiving food at all. Its upsetting to think that "fasting" is an everyday thing for them. This gives me a wake up call telling me to get up and donate and stop being so moany! Atleast I get to eat before I fast and actually get to break my fast with a feast! Paying 2.5% of your annual income is compulsory in Islam. Fasting allows me to empathise with those who are malnourished and dying from starvation. It also makes me appreciative to Allah for giving me food on my plate, two loving and caring parents and a roof over my head.

When I'm watching TV, I seem to always change the channel to Food Network or watch Junior Masterchef! I seem to watch those cooking shows for some reason. Yes, I do end up drooling, but little did I know I was doing something good- obeying Allah. That's right folks! Instead of grabbing a nice packet of Sensations, whilst chilling out to an episode of Nigella Express, I ended up resisting my temptations! Bizzare example but remember im a Muslim, who lives in the 21st century so technology has to be mentioned!

One thing that really daunts me is that the gates of Hell have been closed and that Satan is locked in Hell! So, if I do something bad, its me, not Satan. This is when the truth comes out, and its pretty scary.

Another disadvantage to fasting is EXTREMELY smelly breath. I have the urge to brush my teeth but I can't do that since toothpaste residue may remain on my teeth and later on in the day, I might end up swallowing it. Yes, thats really strict! But no eating means no eating! You guys are lucky you only know me through the internet and not reality, or you would have passed out.

Speaking of "passing out", those who die a natural death during the month of Ramadan are automatically sent to Heaven. This is how holy the month of Ramadan really is.

After Ramadan has finished, Muslims acknowledge each other's hard work by celebrating Eid Ul Fitr. This is when people dress up in their favourite clothes, go to each other's houses to meet and greet, and eat loads of tasty food! By food, I mean spicy samosas! 

...and then we wait another year for Ramadan to come by again!

Please be sure to give charity this Ramadan to the poor and the needy! Help them to receive an iftar food package (evening meal where you break your fast).

I recommend the organisations Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief.

                   

To all the Muslim girls and guys on here, Ramadan Mubarak! I wish you Good Luck with the last few days and have a lovely Eid next week!