Ramadan begins in Kerala

Kozhikode: Holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting when Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk has begun Thursday all over Kerala. The ninth month of the Hijra calendar, and hailed by Islam as an opportunity for spiritual development and purgation, Ramadan is also a time when devotees have to abstain from gossip, scandal, back-biting, and vain talk and therefore the month acts as a training for a nobler character.

The believers will be immersed in prayers, Quran recitals and praises for one month. This year’s Ramadan, which falls across summer and monsoon in Kerala, will have longer day times.

Ramadan is the month in which angel Gabriel appeared in front of Prophet Mohammed with the first words of God's revelation that became Muslims' holy book, the Quran. The battle of Badr, decisive battle fought by Prophet Mohammed against the enemies of Islam, was also fought in this month; so also was the capture of Mecca after the Prophet's migration to Medina.

The teachings prescribe that deeds in Ramadan will be rewarded with more blessings. Hence often Muslims opt Ramadan as the month for disbursal of Zakat -compulsory offering, making it a season of alms and services, in addition to an abundance of voluntary charity.

Apart from Kerala, the Arab Gulf countries and Muslim communities in the West also start observing the month on Thursday.