Holidays Around the World: Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muhammad's first revelation of the Quran is commemorated. Muslims worldwide observe this month with fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. commemorate
    mark by some ceremony or observation
    In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur'an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  2. revelation
    communication by a divine or supernatural agency
    In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur'an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  3. self-control
    the act of denying yourself
    In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur'an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  4. gratitude
    a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
    In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur'an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  5. compassion
    a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
    In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur'an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  6. lunar
    of or relating to or associated with the moon
    Ramadan is dictated by the lunar cycle, beginning and ending with a crescent moon.
    – USA Today
  7. rejuvenation
    restoration to a more youthful, fresh, or lively condition
    Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur'an and performing special prayers.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  8. devotion
    religious observance or prayers
    Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur'an and performing special prayers.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  9. prophet
    someone who speaks by divine inspiration
    Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan, on the "Night of Power" (Laylat al-Qadr)—commemorated on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually the 27th night—that God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Qur'ān, Islam's holy book, "as a guidance for the people."
    – Britannica
  10. introspection
    contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
    For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque, and reading of the Qur'ān. God forgives the past sins of those who observe the holy month with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention.
    – Britannica
  11. communal
    for or by a group rather than individuals
    For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque, and reading of the Qur'ān. God forgives the past sins of those who observe the holy month with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention.
    – Britannica
  12. mosque
    a Muslim place of worship that usually has a minaret
    For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque, and reading of the Qur'ān. God forgives the past sins of those who observe the holy month with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention.
    – Britannica
  13. moral
    concerned with principles of right and wrong
    Muslims welcome Ramadan as an opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual improvement, and as a means to grow in moral excellence.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  14. tenet
    a religious doctrine proclaimed as true without proof
    Ramadan, however, is less a period of atonement than it is a time for Muslims to practice self-restraint, in keeping with ṣawm (Arabic: "to refrain"), one of the pillars of Islam (the five basic tenets of the Muslim religion).
    – Britannica
  15. obligation
    the state of being bound to do or pay something
    Although ṣawm is most commonly understood as the obligation to fast during Ramadan, it is more broadly interpreted as the obligation to refrain between dawn and dusk from food, drink, sexual activity, and all forms of immoral behaviour, including impure or unkind thoughts.
    – Britannica
  16. charitable
    relating to or characterized by voluntary giving
    Since Ramadan is a time for Muslims to be especially charitable and fasting helps Muslims feel compassion for the hungry and less fortunate, many mosques hold food drives or fundraisers for charity during Ramadan.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  17. fast
    abstain from foods, as for religious or medical reasons
    Since Ramadan is a time for Muslims to be especially charitable and fasting helps Muslims feel compassion for the hungry and less fortunate, many mosques hold food drives or fundraisers for charity during Ramadan.
    – Islamic Networks Group (ING)
  18. deity
    a supernatural being worshipped as controlling the world
    The Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars, or basic institutions, of Islam:
    Shahadah: Affirmation that there is no deity but God and Mohammed is his messenger.
    Salat: Praying five times daily.
    Zakat: Giving to charity.
    Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
    Hajj: Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
    – CNN
  19. hajj
    a pilgrimage to Mecca that is a religious duty for Muslims
    The Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars, or basic institutions, of Islam:
    Shahadah: Affirmation that there is no deity but God and Mohammed is his messenger.
    Salat: Praying five times daily.
    Zakat: Giving to charity.
    Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
    Hajj: Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
    – CNN
  20. pilgrimage
    a journey to a sacred place
    The Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars, or basic institutions, of Islam:
    Shahadah: Affirmation that there is no deity but God and Mohammed is his messenger.
    Salat: Praying five times daily.
    Zakat: Giving to charity.
    Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
    Hajj: Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
    – CNN
Created on Wed Mar 08 21:04:33 EST 2023 (updated Thu Mar 16 19:06:27 EDT 2023)

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