Blessed Ramadan

After sighting the moon of "Ramadan", the blessed month appeared for the whole Muslim world with its great religious happiness , blessings and vibrant celebrations.
 
Ramadan is one of the most exciting times during the whole year for Muslims all around the world. "Saum" ( Ramadan Fast) is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar.  Ramadan is a time when Muslims express their religious devotion by fasting from sunrise until sunset.

 Ramadan is in fact, is the month of bliss and blessing. It is a tremendous gift for all Muslims. Allah (SWT) showered His countless blessings upon those who are truly believers and act upon the virtues of Islam and lead their lives according to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
 
Muslims across the world celebrate this holy month with great spirituality and faith. Ramadan is not only an individual experience but is about the whole community, "Ummah". 

 'Suhoor' and 'Iftaar' are two basic elements of Ramadan. Ramadan fast begins with a pre-dawn meal called "suhoor" to prepare for the long day ahead. Suhoor meal is eaten before "Fajr" prayer.

 Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said  " Take suhoor as there is blessing in it".
"Suhoor is the vital part of fasting". (Hadith)
Suhoor gives us strength and vitality.
"Don't skip Suhoor because it is not favored buy Allah (SWT)." (Hadith)
Suhoor makes fasting more comfortable and tolerable. It is a primary source of energy during the whole day.
So, Suhoor is actually beneficial for health and the importance of Suhoor is not less than the significance of Iftar.

 In "Iftaar", Muslims open their fast at the time of "Maghrib" prayer, most commonly with eating dates and drinking water, and after that iftaar meals are enjoyed.
 
In this manner, Ramadan teaches us great number of things including patience, forgiveness, discipline, kindness, sharing,caring and lot more good morals and practical deeds towards mankind.

 Across the world, Muslims fast each day for the entire month of Ramadan, not only to avoid bad habits but also to purify hearts and reset spiritually and physically.

The "Qur'an" was revealed in Ramadan. So in this regard, Muslims all over the world reciting Qur'an and focus on their prayers and charity.
It is common for Mosques to host large iftars , especially for the poor and needy. At night prayer of "Ishaa",
"Taraweeh" Salat is also held in Mosques after iftar.

 Ramadan is the time to feel closer to Allah (SWT) , pray, spend time with loved ones, support charities and remember those less fortunate while they are fasting.
 
 During Ramadan schools and offices in Muslim majority countries closed early.
So, Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to Allah (AWT) and away to become more compassionate to those in need.

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Arabic Calligraphy

Calligraphy is a type of visual art that refers beauty and full of inspirational writings. As far as the Islamic art is concerned, it may be counted as a unique original feature of Islamic art.

 It is actually a highly fundamental element and one of the most highly regarded form of Islamic art. It is always considered a great artistic mode of visual expression.

 Islamic calligraphy is based on the Arabic script. Arabic calligraphy is known as the "speaking art". It is declared the "art for soul".

 The secret and charm behind the Arabic letters is universally accepted. The most important fact is that the history of Arabic Calligraphy is directly linked with the history of Islam.

 The art of calligraphy can take years to master. It demands passion, dedication, concentration and lot of patience. Arabic calligraphy has developed over 14 centuries in various regions of the world.

The first formal calligraphy style is called the kufi style; after the city of Kufa in Iraq. In fact, Kufi is the first script associated with the Qur'an.

 Cultural separation is quietly visible in terms of calligraphic development.So there is a beautiful Kufi script called "Maghrabi Kufi" and others called Kairouani, Saudani ( North Africa) and Farsi.
 
Around 1500C.E, Turkish calligraphers invented a style called "Deewani" which was rather difficult to read.
The other invention of Turkish calligraphers was a beautiful and decorative shape of twisted letters called "Tughra". It was used essentially as a seal or signature.

 Arabic is a natural cursive language. The Arabic alphabets includes 28 letters and is written from right to left.
There are six major scripts :
 

• Kufi (place of development)
• Thuluth (width of the pen)
• Nasakh (usage of Qur'an)
• Deewani (writing of the Court)
• Riqa (daily simple use)
• Ta'liq or Nasta'liq (hanging style script)

Though calligraphy was originally a tool for communication, but with time, it begin to be used in architecture, decoration, in coin designs and various interiors.

In this regard, calligraphy is also appreciated and in widely practice for its beauty. No doubt, it is a functional decoration; such as on vases, walls, clothes, cushions and numerous other interiors.

 As we all know that the art is the source of expression for both the artist and the collector.
The truth is that, Arabic calligraphy is still today one of the most widely acknowledged arts.

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