Ramadan -- or Ramzan -- is, for the followers of Islam, a 'month of blessing' marked by prayer, fasting, and charity.

Abu Hurairah relates to what Muhammad, the messenger of Allah, said when one Ramadan began: 'A blessed month has arrived. Observing it in fasting is mandated on you (the believers). During this month, the gates of Paradise will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed. The evil ones (Shayaatin) will be handcuffed. In it there is one night during which worship is better than worship in a thousand months. Whoever is denied its blessings has been denied the biggest blessing.' (Ahmed, Nasaae and Bayhaqi)

Image: Rahil Shaikh. Research: Rupali Nimkar