One in six people around the world is Muslim; the Muslim population is over 1 billion. This makes one bound to come across a co-worker or a co-student that is Muslim. More often than not, one finds a colleague not eating and drinking only later to find out he or she is fasting. This raises curiosity about Ramadan and what one can do to understand the Muslim observance of Ramadan.
What is Ramadan and What Are Muslims Required To Do During This Time?
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting in the Islamic calendar. Muslims around the world are expected to fast from sun rise until sun set. Fasting requires abstinence from food and liquids, smoking and sexual intercourse during the given time. Apart from the mentioned, it is expected of a Muslim to stay away from all such deeds which may be the sign of a bad character, may hurt someone else or may become a cause of disruption in society.
If a Muslim is fasting by not eating, drinking or smoking but indulging in deeds that are frowned upon by God, it makes the fasting merely an act of starving and not one with spiritual depth in it. Hence deeds such as back biting, anger, hiding the truth or deceiving, stealing or partaking in other activities that are not permissible are especially avoided during the holy month.
When is Ramadan and How Long Are Its Dates Calculated?
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on lunar movements and therefore the time of the year or dates when Ramadan would fall is not the same each year. Like any other Islamic month, Ramadan is either 29 or 30 days long.
In most Muslim countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, India etc there are official moon-sighting organizations that come together from all cities of the country to check for moon sighting. The first moon sighting of each month lasts for only a a few minutes and is a very thin crescent. If the moon is seen in any part of the country, it indicates the beginning of Ramadan. Other countries — especially Arab nations — follow Saudi Arabia for convenience; Saudi Arabia is where Mecca is located and happens to be the holiest place for Muslims.
Why is Ramadan Significant and What is a Typical Ramadan Like For Muslims?
Ramadan is significant to Muslims for several reasons:
- Most importantly, the first revelation of the Quran is believed to have been revealed during this month. Quran is the holy book of Muslims believed to have been revealed to Muhammad (may peace be upon him) who was the last of God's prophets on earth. Muslims recite the Quran at home and read its translations and many try to attend classes where its translation is further explained by learned scholars.
- Ramadan is the holiest of Islamic months where the reward of the good deeds are multiplied excessively. Muslims make sure they can reap maximum reward during this month and try to focus upon achieving those good deeds.
- It is a month of purification of mind, soul and acts - hence Muslims are expected to stay away from bad deeds along with food, drink and smoke and spend this time focused on pleasing Allah and humanity.
- According to Islamic teachings, the first 10 days of Ramadan are of mercy, next 10 days are for forgiveness, and last 10 days are of distance from Hellfire. Muslims pray excessively during this month not only because the rewards are greater, but also in order to win the mercy, forgiveness and distance from hell that has been promised to them.
- Ramadan is about sharing - the fact that one abstains from eating and drinking reminds one of the hardship of those who cannot afford to eat or drink as much. It teaches one patience in front of hardship and gratitude to God at all costs.
- Muslims perform the most charitable acts during this month. "Zakat" which is compulsory charity on all Muslims calculated according to the savings one has over a year's time can be given out all year through but Muslims spend most on zakat during this month. Apart from this there is "fitra" which is compulsory charity during Ramadan, specifically calculated on the cost of food items like grain and wheat, and is given to the needy.
- Continuing with the idea of sharing, Muslims share food with their neighbors, family, friends and the poor during Ramadan. This increases the sense of community and love.
How Do Muslim Countries Celebrate Ramadan?
Ramadan in most Muslim countries is a month that is eagerly anticipated. It is festive and very different from the rest of the year. Since Muslims are fasting during the day, most of the activity is during the night:
- Mosques are filled during night prayers and the areas around it appear to be busy.
- Most restaurants are closed during the day since people are fasting. On the other hand they remain open at night till sunrise and are usually very festive during this time.
- Most shops remain open all night and open late in the mornings. This is especially true towards the latter half of Ramadan when preparation of Eid (which marks the end of Ramadan and is to Muslims what Christmas is to Christians) is at its peak too.
There is a saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad which goes to explain the relevance of Islam. He says "Whosoever does not give up lying speech and acting on those lies and evil actions, Allah (God) is not in need of his leaving his food and drink. Allah will not accept his fasting." Muslims around the world treat Ramadan as a refresher course - a chance to remind themselves of the expectations of God from them and living up to those expectations for the next year.
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