Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, is the month in which the revelation of Qur'an was sent to mankind.

This revelation was spread throughout the 23 years of the prophetic mission of Muhammad the Prophet, peace be upon him (PBUH) . The revelation establishing the fast of Ramadan was received in the year 2AH (after hijrah) or after the Prophet's flight from Mecca to the city of Medina, or 15 years after the revelation.

The fast of Ramadan is akin to the fasts of both the Jews and the Christians. Both Moses (a.s.) on him be peace - Exod. 24:18 and Jesus (a.s.) Matthew. 4:2 fasted for 40 days.

From this we observe two things. Firstly the revelation of Qur'an is a continuation of the earlier scriptures given to the Messengers and Prophets of God and secondly that divine blessing is an area associated with fasting in sacred history.

The Muslim calendar is a lunar calendar, hence Ramadan may have either 29 or 30 days. It cannot have more than 30 or less than 29. Normally the fast of Ramadan begins on the sighting of the new moon at sunset on the last day of the month of Shaban (the month preceding Ramadan).

Muslims the world over look to sight the new crescent at the end of Shaban. The day for us begins at the time of Magrib (sunset), so that if the crescent is sighted, the person who intends to fast must make their intention to fast.

It is permissible to make intentions for every day separately or one can make intention at the beginning of the month to fast the entire month. God says in the holy Qur'an, chapter 2: verses 183-187: "Oh you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint".

These verses of the Qur'an point out to us that self-denial is a tradition or practice of people of faith through the ages. During the fast of Ramadan in particular, the fasting person refrains from those things that are normally and naturally allowable or permissible; namely food and drink and the approach of our mates during the time between daybreak and sunset.

The fast heightens our consciousness for God and the innumerable mercies that he will reward the fasting person from himself. For those persons who refrain from food and drink and continue to indulge in lying and stealing, slander and gossip, hatred and envy and the like; his and her fast only serves to make them hungry, as there is no reward.

God wants that we purify ourselves; He does not want for us hardship. For those who are sick or on a journey or who are otherwise unable to fast, God makes it comfortable for them to complete their obligation in alternative ways.

In the month of Ramadan there occurs a special night that falls within the last ten days and it is called the "night of power". God directs our attention in chapter 97, verses 1-5 of the Qur'an to this special night and says of it, that it is better then 1,000 months. A thousand months is lifetime.

We all naturally would like to live a long healthy and productive life; but here in this verse God Almighty tells us that this special night in this holy month has more blessings then a lifetime.

During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims perform extra acts of "ibada" or worship. We engage in extra congregational prayers at night in the Masjid called taraarwi, led by an Iman, who has memorised the entire Qur'an and recites its verses from memory over the 29 or 30 nights of the month.

In addition, each Muslim attempts to complete an entire reading of the Qur'an within the month. We do more charitable deeds and acts of kindness during this month. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said, "the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are locked, and the Satan is chained during the month of Ramadan.

These are just a few of the reasons that the Muslims look forward to the coming of the month of Ramadan with great anticipation. Yes, Ramadan is coming and we can hardly wait. "Ramadan Mubarak" (Blessed Ramadan).