Signinficance of Ramadan

1. Most importantly, the first revelation of the Quran is believed to have been revealed during this month. Quran is the holy book of Muslims believed to have been revealed to Muhammad (may peace be upon him) who was the last of God's prophets on earth. Muslims recite the Quran at home and read its translations and many try to attend classes where its translation is further explained by learned scholars.
2. Ramadan is the holiest of Islamic months where the reward of the good deeds are multiplied excessively. Muslims make sure they can reap maximum reward during this month and try to focus upon achieving those good deeds.
3.It is a month of purification of mind, soul and acts - hence Muslims are expected to stay away from bad deeds along with food, drink and smoke and spend this time focused on pleasing Allah and humanity.
4.According to Islamic teachings, the first 10 days of Ramadan are of mercy, next 10 days are for forgiveness, and last 10 days are of distance from Hellfire. Muslims pray excessively during this month not only because the rewards are greater, but also in order to win the mercy, forgiveness and distance from hell that has been promised to them.
5.Ramadan is about sharing - the fact that one abstains from eating and drinking reminds one of the hardship of those who cannot afford to eat or drink as much. It teaches one patience in front of hardship and gratitude to God at all costs.
6.Muslims perform the most charitable acts during this month. "Zakat" which is compulsory charity on all Muslims calculated according to the savings one has over a year's time can be given out all year through but Muslims spend most on zakat during this month. Apart from this there is "fitra" which is compulsory charity during Ramadan, specifically calculated on the cost of food items like grain and wheat, and is given to the needy.
7.Continuing with the idea of sharing, Muslims share food with their neighbors, family, friends and the poor during Ramadan. This increases the sense of community and love.Read more:

What is Ramazan

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting in the Islamic calendar.Its the night month. Muslims around the world are expected to fast from sun rise until sun set. Fasting requires abstinence from food and liquids, smoking and sexual intercourse during the given time. Apart from the mentioned, it is expected of a Muslim to stay away from all such deeds which may be the sign of a bad character, may hurt someone else or may become a cause of disruption in society.
If a Muslim is fasting by not eating, drinking or smoking but indulging in deeds that are frowned upon by God, it makes the fasting merely an act of starving and not one with spiritual depth in it. Hence deeds such as back biting, anger, hiding the truth or deceiving, stealing or partaking in other activities that are not permissible are especially avoided during the holy month.Read more.

AR Rahman's Faith

The initials A and R later became 'Allah Rakha' on the suggestion ofrenowned Hindi music composer Naushad Ali. Thus A Sekhar Dileep Kumarbecame Allah Rakha Rahman. This was around 1988.He says, "Family problems and the need for peace of mind made us changethe faith. Sufism has given me peace. As Dileep I had an inferioritycomplex. As AR Rahman I feel like I have been born again."Rahman adds: "I am whatever because of my parent's prayers to God. I amwhatever I am - because the prayers I pray conscientiously, sincerelyand with full faith. I will be whatever I am - only because of Him, Iknow it. He has given me everything. He can take everything away and Iaccept His decision without any questions, without a murmur. He iseverything to me. I am just an infinitesimal creation of His. He hascreated me for a specific mission. I will be committing a sin if Idon't fulfill that mission. That's my only belief. That's the onlything that matters to me. I don't care for all the other temptations ofthe world. I am born for music. I live for music. I will live for musictill the very end. My life and death are in His hands. I will live onlytill He wants me to live. I will die only when He wants me to die. It'sall God's will... Insha Allah.!"Religion is a very personal affair for this sober young man fromChennai. He prays five times a day, carrying his prayer mat with him onhis tours, and retiring to the prayer room he has had built next to hisstudio during recording.

He says, "It's like a meditation. Each time Ipray, I die, my soul departs, and then I am like born again."

For Full Story read http://www.mail-archive.com/arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com/msg36047.html

The Historical Significance of Ashura

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) reports that the Holy Nabi (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Ashura… They said: "It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it." The Holy Messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) responded: "We have more right, and we have closer connection with Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) than you have"; so Allah’s Messenger (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) observed fast (on the day of ‘Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]
‘Ashura is a day of great historical significance. On this day: Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam ('Alaihis-Salaam) after his exile from Paradise; Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) saved Sayyidina Nuh ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his companions in the ark; Allah extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim ('Alaihis-Salaam) was thrown by Nimrod; And Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and gave him the Commandments. On this same 10th of Muharram, Sayyidina Ayyub ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored to health (from leprosy); Sayyidina Yusuf ('Alaihis-Salaam) was reunited with his father Ya’qub ('Alaihis-Salaam); Sayyidina Yunus ('Alaihis-Salaam) was taken out from the belly of the fish; and the sea was divided as the nation of israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed. ‘Ashura is also the day when the kingdom of Sulaiman ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored; Sayyidina Isa ('Alaihis-Salaam) was raised to Jannah; and Sayyidina al- Imam Husayn (Radiyallahu 'anh) (the Holy Nabi’s, Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim, grandson) achieved the honor of Martyrdom.
Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as much as you can on ‘Ashura. Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life. Whoever clothes a naked person Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will release him from a painful punishment. He who visits a sick person, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will grant him a reward that will not be decreased. Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil (a wine that does not intoxicate). And who ever takes a Ghusl on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence. Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will be generous to him throughout this year. And whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again, Insha’Allah al-Aziz
O’ Allah! Bless us to perform good deeds and gain their reward on ‘Ashura. Make the new year one of unity, cooperation and success for Muslims in this city and around the world. Ameen.