What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a very special month to Muslims and is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. It is a month of discipline, forgiveness, worship and much more. This month marks an important event in the life of a Muslim. It is of great significance because the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) by the angel Gabriel during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and last for 29 or 30 days. In Islam, people follow the lunar calendar, therefore Muslim scholars observe the moon so as to be able to announce when a new month will start and finish. Hence the fact that Ramadan is only announce a day or two before its start.
Once Ramadan starts, all healthy Muslims who have reached puberty are required to fast from sunrise to sunset. This means they refrain from eating, drinking and smoking during these hours. Children, pregnant women and those suffering from ill health or traveling great distances are absolved from fasting.
In order for Muslims to be able to get through the day from the Fajr (dawn) prayer to the Maghrib (sunset) prayer fasting, yet still be able to function and carry on their daily routine, their working hours are shortened.
The whole family wakes up before dawn and have a meal called Suhoor which will provide them with the energy needed for the rest of the day. Once they hear the Maghrib Adhan (sunset call to prayer), they break their fast with dates and a glass of milk or water, go for prayers then return for the Iftar – the meal.
The end of Ramadan is a three-day celebration called Eid-Al-Fitr, the Feast of Ramadan, which begins with a special communal worship service on the first morning. During these three days, Muslims spend time with friends and family and give money (called Eidia) or gifts, especially to children. The greeting used at Eid is “Eid Mubarak” which means may your holiday be blessed.
All Muslims who have fasted are required to give Zakat al Fitr which are two handfuls of rice or flour to be given to the poor and needy, thus ensuring that everyone has some food to celebrate the holiday. Many Muslims provide meals throughout Ramadan for the poor and there are many places that provide free Iftar as well as Eid meals.
Ramadan Do’s and Don’ts
DON’T smoke, drink or eat in public during the hours of sunrise to sunset. This includes while you are driving as well as in public places such as shopping malls.
DON’T be overly rowdy. Keep stereos on a low volume while driving, on the beach or in your house so as not to disturb your Muslim neighbours.
DO dress modestly.
DO give food to the poor. Ramadan is renowned for its charitable nature.
DO get sociable in the evening for Iftar
DO say Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak
DO be patient with your fasting colleagues – especially if they are smokers or drink lots of coffee outside of Ramadan.
Ramadan Glossary
Eid al-Fitr – Fast breaking festival on the first of Shawwal, the first day of Ramadan. A family holiday that lasts three days when children dress in new clothes and receive gifts of money.
Hadith – A tradition or collection of the traditions of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), including his sayings and deeds.
Haj – the pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam
Hilal – the crescent moon indicating the beginning of a new month. Sighting of the Hilal is the prerequisite to beginning Ramadan
Iftar – breaking of the fast meal
Laylat al Qadr – “The Night of Power”. This is the night on which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Maghrib – sunset
Mubarak – “blessed”, as in Ramadan Mubarak, the greeting exchanged during Ramadan.
Sawm – the Arabic word for Fasting
Taraweeh – additional prayers during the month of Ramadan that take place after the Isha (night) prayer.
Zakaat – Alms giving, the third pillar of Islam.
This email was sent to us by Sami, MIST’s Director of Human Resources. In 2009 in the UAE Ramadan officially started on 20th August and Eid al-Fitr was from 20th to 22nd of September.
