Ramadan

This Islamic holiday is observed in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It’s observed by Muslims worldwide. It’s a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, & community. It celebrates Muhammad’s (PBUH) first revelation. The annual observance is regarded as 1 of 5 pillars of Islam. This holiday lasts 29-30 days, from 1 crescent moon to the next 1. This year it happens from February 17-March 19.

Fasting from dawn to sunset is mandatory for ALL Muslim adults. There are exceptions: Being acutely/chronically I’ll, traveling, being elderly, breastfeeding, are a diabetic, are pregnant, or are on your monthly cycle.

The predawn meal is referred to as suhur. The nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar. Muslims who live in areas with midnight sun or polar night should follow Mecca’s schedule. But common practice to follow schedule of the closest country with a day & night.

Spiritual rewards are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan. During fasting hours, Muslims refrain from not only food & drink but also tobacco products, adult spicy activities, & sinful behavior. Devoting oneself to prayer & study of the Quran instead.

Muslims believe that all scripture was revealed during Ramadan. The scrolls of Abraham, Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, & Quran have been handed on the 1st, 6th, 12th, 13th (or in some sources, 18th), & 24th Ramadans.

It’s believed to have gotten 1st Quranic revelation on Laylat al-Qadr. This is 1 of 5 odd-numbered nights that fall during the last 10 days of Ramadan. This is the holiest night of the year.

The end of Ramadan is called Eid al-Fitr. This celebrates the return to normalcy (eating, drinking, spicy adult time with your spouse).

Although Muslims were 1st commanded to fast in the 2nd year of Hijra (624 CE), they believe that the practice isn’t fact an innovation of monotheism. But rather has always been necessary for believers to attain for God (taqwa).

The Laylat al-Qadr (“Night of Power”) is the night that Muslims believe the Quran was 1st sent down to the world. Muhammad received his 1st Quranic revelation from it. The Dawoodi Bohra believe that Laylat al-Qadr was the 23rd night of Ramadan.

The common practice is to fast from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the suhur. While the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is called iftar.

At sunset, families break the fast with the iftar. Traditionally, opening the meal by eating dates to commemorate Muhammad’s practice of breaking the fast with 3 dates. Then they adjourn for Maghrib (the 4th of the 5 required daily prayers) after which the main meal is served.

Over time, the practice of iftar has evolved into banquets that may accommodate hundreds of thousands of diners. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi (the largest mosque in the UAE), feeds up to 30,000 people every night.

Zakat (often translated as “the poor-rate”) is the fixed percentage of income a believer is required to give to the poor. This practice is obligatory as 1 of the pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that good works/deeds are rewarded more generously during Ramadan than at any other time of the year.

Consequently, many Muslims donate a larger portion (or even all) of their yearly zakat during this month. Tarawih are extra nightly prayers performed during the month of Ramadan. These extra prayers aren’t mandatory.

Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran (which encompasses 30 juz’ (sections)) over the 30 days of Ramadan.

In some countries, the Ramadan observance has been restricted by governments. In the USSR, the Ramadan practices were suppressed by officials. In Albania, Ramadan festivities were banned during the communist period. Many Albanians continued to fast in secret during this period.

If anyone has health problems, they’re exempt from Ramadan fasting activities. Additionally, the elderly, pre-pubertal kids, & pregnant/lactating women are exempt.

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