RAMADHA'N, the ninth month in the Arabian calendar, and a sort of Lent observed by tho Mohannnedans, in obedience to the express command of the Koran. During this month every good Moslem is bound to fast from the first appearance of daybreak until sunset. He must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, smelling perfumes, and all other unnecessary indulgences or pleasures of a worldly nature ; even from intentionally swallowing his spittle. Ile is allowed to bathe himself, but it is on condition that he is not to plunge his head under water, lest some drops should enter his mouth or ears. Some even are so scrupulous that they will not open their mouths to speak, for fear of breathing the air too freely. To make amends for this extreme rigour, Moslems generally feast all night till day-break, though the more rigid begiu tho fast again at midnight. As the Ramadlidn happens at different seasons of the year the fast is very severe when it falls in summer ; the abstinence from drinking being most painfully felt. Persons who are sick, or on a journey, and soldiers in time of
war, are not obliged to observe the fast during this month, but then they should fast an equal number of days at a future time. Fasting is also dispensed with in the case of nurses and pregnant women. The prophet even disapproved of any persons keeping the fast of Ramaclinin, if not perfectly able ; and he desired no man to observe it so strictly as to injure his health or disqualify himself for necessary labour, which is frequently the ease among the lower classes of people. The reason given by the Mohammedan theologians for the month of Ramadlittn having been fixed upon for this purpose is, that the prophet received his first revelation in that month ; others pretend that it sans chosen by Mohammed from its being generally spent by the ancient Arabs in revelry and mirth and excessive drinking.