Ramadan: What is it and who observes it?

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Ramadan, the Month of Fasting

 

The Meaning of Ramadan

Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one

billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for

inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control.

Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their

spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan

as there are Muslims.

 

The third " pillar " or religious obligation of Islam,

fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the

most important is that it is a means of learning

self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with

the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the

daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is

given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means

of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of

intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving

charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good

deeds.

 

As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing

hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate,

and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all

of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the

health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid

habits or overindulgence.

 

 

Who Fasts in Ramadan?

While voluntary fasting is recommended for Muslims,

during Ramadan fasting becomes obligatory. Sick

people, travelers, and women in certain conditions are

exempted from the fast but must make it up as they are

able. Perhaps fasting in Ramadan is the most widely

practiced of all the Muslim forms of worship.

 

 

The Sighting of the Moon

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

The much-anticipated start of the month is based on a

combination of physical sightings of the moon and

astronomical calculations. The practice varies from

place to place, some places relying heavily on

sighting reports and others totally on calculations.

In the United States, most communities follow the

decision of the Islamic Society of North America,

which accepts bonafide sightings of the new moon

anywhere in the United States as the start of the new

month. The end of the month, marked by the celebration

of 'Eid-ul-Fitr, is similarly determined.

 

 

From Dawn to Sunset

The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of

dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between --

that is, during the daylight hours -- Muslims totally

abstain from food, drink, smoking, and marital sex.

The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor)

before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar) after sunset.

 

The Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days

shorter than the Gregorian calendar, migrates

throughout the seasons. Thus, since Ramadan begins on

January 20 or 21 this year, next year it will begin on

January 9 or 10. The entire cycle takes around 35

years. In this way, the length of the day, and thus

the fasting period, varies in length from place to

place over the years. Every Muslim, no matter where he

or she lives, will see an average Ramadan day of the

approximately 13.5 hours.

 

 

Devotion to God

The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of special

spiritual power as everyone tries to come closer to

God through devotions and good deeds. The night on

which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to

the Prophet, known as the Night of Power (Lailat

ul-Qadr), is generally taken to be the 27th night of

the month. The Qur'an states that this night is better

than a thousand months. Therefore many Muslims spend

the entire night in prayer.

 

During the month, Muslims try to read as much of the

Qur'an as they can. Most try to read the whole book at

least once. Some spend part of their day listening to

the recitation of the Qur'an in a mosque.

 

 

Food in Ramadan

Since Ramadan is a special time, Muslims in many parts

of the world prepare certain favorite foods during

this month.

 

It is a common practice for Muslims to break their

fast at sunset with dates (iftar), following the

custom of Prophet Muhammad. This is followed by the

sunset prayer, which is followed by dinner. Since

Ramadan emphasizes community aspects and since

everyone eats dinner at the same time, Muslims often

invite one another to share in the Ramadan evening

meal.

 

Some Muslims find that they eat less for dinner during

Ramadan than at other times due to stomach

contraction. However, as a rule, most Muslims

experience little fatigue during the day since the

body becomes used to the altered routine during the

first week of Ramadan.

 

 

The Spirit of Ramadan

Muslims use many phrases in various languages to

congratulate one another for the completion of the

obligation of fasting and the 'Eid-ul-Fitr festival.

Here is a sampling of them:

 

 

" Kullu am wa antum bi-khair " (May you be well

throughout the year) - Arabic

" Atyab at-tihani bi-munasabat hulul shahru Ramadan

al-Mubarak " (The most precious congratulations on the

occasion of the coming of Ramadan) - Arabic

 

" Elveda, ey Ramazan " (Farewell, O Ramadan) - Turkish

 

" Kullu am wa antum bi-khair " (May you be well

throughout the year) - Arabic

 

" 'Eid mubarak (A Blessed 'Eid) " - universal

 

 

 

 

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Language is an expression of thought. Everytime you speak, your mind is on

Parade Exodus 20:8-11 & Hebrews 4:9

 

 

 

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