Ramadan 2009

In Muslim nations and regions around the globe, this is the first week of the holy month of Ramadan, a time for followers to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity during the day, breaking their fast each sunset, with traditional meals and sweets. During this time, Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Quran, to give freely to those in need, and strengthen their ties to God through prayer. The goal of the fast is to teach humility, patience and sacrifice, and to ask forgiveness, practice self-restraint, and pray for guidance in the future. This year, Ramadan will continue until Saturday, September 19th.

A crescent moon is seen behind the King Hussein Bin Talal Mosque in Aman, Jordan
August 23, 2009 during Ramadan



Imam Ahmad Raza (1856-1921 India)

Hearing the clamour about the new moon, I, rushing to you have come!
O` Saqi, I will forever be yours, bring me some wine, Ramadan has come!

With the exception of this one rose, every flower with deafening silence will come!
This the nightingale shall see, when the time of sorrow does come!

When that darling of my life did reveal his Divine Light`s peak!
Every head fell down, bowed, every heart did feverish become!

Having mistaken Paradise for Madina, here I have come!
Now looking at every face, I ask "whither have I come?!"

Except for Madina all gardens will become annihilated, trampled!
You will see this O` denizens of the garden, when winter does come!

The head and the stones of that abode, the eyes and that place of light!
The ingrate is thinking of his homeland after here having come!

The art of writing poetry in the Prophet`s honour is unique indeed!
The intellect has become dazed, dizzy has the imagination become!

How the ground beneath did burn, how fierce was the heat!
Here! That Shadowless Prophet has a cool shadow for us become!

I have just come from Madina O` dwellers of Paradise
How does one survive, who from there to here does come?!

There! Be freed now from the ring of pain O` carrier-pigeon!
With a letter of forgiveness in his hand, that Chieftain has come!
(sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam)

Be erased from Raza`s Tablet of Deeds o` bad works!
Look! Here to my aid my Acchay Mian has come!

Be happy Raza all bad things will be transformed into good!
That beloved Acchay Mian, master of all good people has come!]