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IV. BEFORE AND AFTER FASTING
Islamic practice, based on sayings of Muhammad, recommends that Muslims have a meal, called sahur,
shortly before dawn during Ramadan. After sunset they should hasten the breaking of the fast with
another meal,
iftar. Iftar should be a light meal, taken hastily, before proceeding to sunset prayers. Providing
iftar to others,
especially to the poor, is considered highly meritorious. Many Muslims have iftar in the
neighborhood mosque and invite friends, relatives, and neighbors to join them.
V. PRAYER
Ramadan is a month marked by worship and charity. Muslims who belong to the Sunni group, the largest sect within Islam,
perform special prayers in a mosque after the evening prayers. Over the course of the month, they recite the entire
Qur'an. Umar I, whom the Sunnis proclaimed the second caliph (successor to Muhammad), introduced these prayers in the
7th century . Muslims who belong
to the Shia sect do not recognize the caliphs as legitimate successors and do not perform these prayers.
Shia Muslims instead pray individually, rather than in congregation, at night during Ramadan.
A. I'tikaf
Muslims consider prayer and reciting of the Qur'an especially important during the last ten days of Ramadan. During this time many
Muslims retreat to the mosque to pray in seclusion and draw closer to God, according to the practice of Muhammad. Some believers remain
there day and night. The practice of seclusion in a mosque is known as i'tikaf.
B. Laylat al-Qadr
A special night of prayer occurs on the night when the first revelation of the Qur'an took place. There is no agreement about its
exact date, but Sunnis generally observe Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power, or Decree) on the 27th night of Ramadan. The Qur'an describes
the Laylat al-Qadr as "better than a thousand months," the night in which "angels and the Spirit descend, by the leave of their Lord,
and it is peace till the rising of dawn." Pious Muslims spend the better part of this night praying and reciting the Qur'an.
VI. END OF RAMADAN
A festival called Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Fast-Breaking)
marks the end of Ramadan. It begins with the sighting of the new moon on the first day of Shawwal,
the tenth month in the Islamic calendar, and generally lasts for three days. Muslims take part in
communal prayers, either in a mosque or an open space outside the city, and everyone must offer
charity to the poor. The celebration has an important social dimension as well. Cities and
villages take on a festive look, and people wear their best clothes. Friends, relatives,
and neighbors meet in mosques and on streets, or visit one another, exchanging congratulations
and embracing each other.
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