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So what’s Ramadan all about?

Ramadan is a time to gain extra rewards through worship, prayer, fasting and giving to the poor and needy. The entire month holds a special spiritual meaning for Muslims.

Ramadan started in England on the 1st August 2011 and will finish on the 29th or 30th of August 2011. The start of every month is based on the sighting of the new moon. This can cause confusion over the dates, so it is common for Muslims to begin and end Ramadan on different days.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the 5 basic tenets of Islam. The other tenets are belief in one God and the prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) (shahadah), performing the 5 daily prayers (salah), giving 2.5% of your wealth to the poor annually (zakah) and performing a religious pilgrimage (hajj).

The Quran, the holy book of Muslims was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) in the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

During Ramadan, Muslims perform additional special prayers. The most common prayer is Taraweeh, which is prayed 1 ½ hours after sunset. It can last from 30 minutes to 3 hours and is prayed either at home or at the mosque.

In the last ten days of Ramadan, some Muslims may choose to enter Itikaaf. This is when they retreat to a corner of their house or mosque and commit themselves entirely to prayer and solitude, away from the distractions of the world.

So what’s fasting all about?

Fasting, in various different forms, is a practice common to many faiths, including Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism. The Islamic practice is to abstain from all food, drink, chewing gum, any kind of tobacco use, sexual relations between dawn and sunset. However, that is merely the physical component of the fast: the spiritual aspects include refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and other traits of bad character.

In the summer months, like this year, the fasts are long, from dawn till sunset, which is about 18 hours long. Families usually get up for a pre-dawn meal and then break the fast collectively at sunset. The daily routine of work, business & families continues as normal.

Fasting is one of the commandments of Islam but also has additional health benefits including, lowering blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, in most cases, loss of weight is also a bonus. It is also thought to help Muslims empathise with those people who are less fortunate.

So who does the fasting?

All Muslims fast except:

• Children
• Adults who are mentally or physically ill
• Adults travelling long distances
• Women who are menstruating, in post-childbirth care, pregnant or breastfeeding

Charity in Ramadan – Sadaqah-ul-Fitr

This is a charity that is given by all Muslims, usually on the morning of Eid, to ensure that even the poor have something to eat on Eid, therefore it is traditionally given in food goods.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims give abundantly to various charities. They also may take the opportunity to fulfil another tenet of Islam, which is to give zakah – 2.5% of annual wealth to the poor.

Night of Power – Laylat-al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of Ramadan. It is traditionally observed on the 27th night of Ramadan and marks the night when the Quran was first revealed. The night is better than a thousand months of worship so Muslims attempt to worship till late in the night. According to Muslims, Laylat Al-Qadr is also the night when the gates of heaven are wide open and angels descend on earth.

Eid-al Fitr

The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the festival, known as Eid-al Fitr. It is a time for Muslims to celebrate the fact that they have fasted for a month and to share their happiness and joy with their family and friends. Muslims go to the mosque to pray, give charity, and celebrate the completion of the fast of Ramadan.

Eid usually involved a large meal shared with family and friends, although what is eaten depends on individual choice and culture. The traditional greeting is ‘Eid Mubarak’. Like the start of Ramadan, the end of the fast is dependent on the sighting of the moon by a reliable source.

Glossary

Ramadhan – Or “Sawm” simply means to abstain and is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar
Eid- Or Eid ul fitr is the religious festival that marks the ending of the month
Iftar – The meal eaten by Muslims to break the fast at sunset
Sehri – or Suhur, Pre-dawn light meal to prepare for the fast
Tarawih – Extra late evening prayers held in the Mosque
Zakat – Charity or almsgiving which many Muslims prefer to give during Ramadhan