The Holy Month of Fasting
Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting where fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset during the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. It is recognized as when Allah revealed the Quran through humankind.
What is Ramadan?
Fasting is not the only practice observed during this month. There is increased devotion, prayer, and reading of the Quran. Muslims must abstain from food and drink during the day, and evil thoughts and deeds, such as smoking and sexual intercourse, during the entire month.
Daily life during Ramadan
Muslims wake up prior to sunrise and eat their first meal, suhur. This is considered one of the most precious times of the day during Ramadan. Muslims believe God is closest to them before dawn.
When dawn arrives, the first of the five daily prayers, Fajr, is recited. Depending of each individuals schedule, one can either stay awake and engage in Quran recitation, or rest until it is time for school or work.
During the daylight hours, Muslims will proceed as usual, attending work and school, without eating or drinking. The five daily prayers are still recited. Fasting can become difficult when surrounded by non-Muslim peers during lunch hours, but this creates increased awareness of Allah.
Nurse in community clinic working with patients by Tanya Habjouga is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.
The breaking of the fast at dusk is done with a meal called Iftar. Family and friends gather to celebrate a day of fasting. The prophet Muhammad use to break fast with dates, so many will include dates in their Iftar meal.
At night, many will go to the mosque and finish the last of the five daily prayers. During Ramadan, the immams will gradually try to finish the entire recitation of the Quran. These services can last between one to two hours. After the completion of the recitation, Muslims will go home and sleep until it is time for the first meal of the next day.
Muslims praying in mosque in Srinagar, Kashmir by Irumge is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.
Gulevich, T. (2004). Section Three: Calendar System, Holidays, and Other Days of Observance. In Understanding Islam and Muslim traditions: An introduction to the religious practices, celebrations, festivals, observances, beliefs, folklore, customs, and calendar system of the world's Muslim communities, including an overview of Islamic history and geography (pp. 249–370). essay, Omnigraphics.
Islamic Holidays and Festivals. ReligionFacts. (2021, March 8). Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://religionfacts.com/holidays.
Harvard University. (n.d.). Ramadan and eid al-fitr. The Pluralism Project. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://pluralism.org/ramadan-and-eid-al-fitr.
Islamic Holidays and Festivals. ReligionFacts. (2021, March 8). Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://religionfacts.com/holidays.
Harvard University. (n.d.). Ramadan and eid al-fitr. The Pluralism Project. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://pluralism.org/ramadan-and-eid-al-fitr.