From the earliest days of Islam this month has been held in the greatest esteem by Muslims, for it was in this month that Muhammad used to retire for meditation, year after year, to the cave of Hira, situated on a low hill some few miles distant from Mecca. In the second year of the Hijra, or flight from Mecca, it was ordained that the month of Ramazan should be kept as a fast. "As to the month {248} Ramazan, in which the Quran was sent down to be man's guidance, and an explanation of that guidance, and of that illumination, as soon as any one of you observeth the moon, let him set about the fast." (Sura ii. 181). The Muslims had hitherto observed as the principal fast the 'Ashura, the tenth of Muharram. This fast was probably connected with the Jewish fast on the tenth day of the seventh month. "Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, &c." (Leviticus xxiii. 27). Now, when Muhammad first went to Madina he had great hopes of winning over the Jews to his side; but when he failed he took every opportunity of making Islam differ as much as possible from Judaism. This was the reason why the Qibla was changed (Ante. p. 60), and that in the second year of his residence at Madina the fast of Ramazan was appointed. The reasons assigned by learned Muslims for the selection of this month, are that in Ramazan God gave to the previous prophets the revelations connected with their names, and that in this month the Quran was sent down from the Secret Tablet in the seventh heaven to the first or lowest, and that on the Laylut-ul-Qadr, or 'night of power' the first revelation was made to Muhammad. "Verily we have caused it (Quran) to descend on the 'night of power.' And who shall teach thee what the night of power is? The night of power excelleth a thousand nights." (Sura xcvii. 1-3). To illustrate the sacredness of this month the Prophet used to say that in it "the gates of Paradise are open, and the gates of hell are shut, and the devils are chained by the leg." "Only those who observe it will be allowed to enter by the gate of heaven called Rayyan." Those who keep the fast "will be pardoned all their past venial sins."[256] In making the fast one for the day, and none for the night, {249} Muhammad doubtless had reference to the verse: "God wisheth you ease, but wisheth not your discomfort." (Sura ii. 181).