On April 24, a very important event for the whole Muslim world comes – the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims keep an obligatory 30-day fasting. Despite the fact that it happens every year, there are still some stereotypes, in which many people sacredly believe. And today we have decided to dispel the most popular ones.
1. What is the month of Ramadan about?
The month of Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims. In this month, Allah Almighty sent down the first verses of the Quran. It happened on Laylatul al-Qadr Night (Night of Power).
During the whole month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn till sunset. It is the time of spiritual discipline – deep contemplation of their relationships with God, extra prayer, increased mercy and generosity, as well as intensive study of the Quran and the desire to correct their ego, get rid of bad habits and come as close as possible to achieving God’s contentment.
At the same time, Ramadan is the month of celebration and joy, as this month promotes to make time for relatives and friends. The end of Ramadan – Eid al-Fitr – brings together the whole family and friends, who not only cook delicious national dishes, but also exchange presents, share positive emotions with each other and simply spend time for good.
Despite the hardship of fasting for a whole month, every Muslim man or woman are looking forward to Ramadan with incredible trembling and even sincerely get sad when it comes to end.
2. How to fast properly?
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars prescribed for Muslims, along with the testimony of faith, prayer, charitable giving and performing Hajj. Of course, there are certain exceptions for those who are ill, for pregnant and lactating women, as well as for small children and the elderly.
Contrary to common misconceptions, fasting is not just a refusal of food and water during the day. It is also a spiritual practice that reminds us of human weakness and gives us the opportunity to understand how it feels like to be weak and needy – all this awakens compassion and mercy in us, a desire to help our neighbor in need, as well as to distance ourselves from everyday worries, which drag us down like a swamp. This is a chance to change yourself and the world around to the better and to establish relations with our God.
For a whole month, Muslims refrain from eating any food, drinking any liquid and smoking cigarettes from dawn till dusk. Chewing gum is also prohibited. If you violate any of the prohibitions, it devalues your fast for the whole day. To make up for days that you have not fasted for any reason, you can either feed a person in need or make up for days after Ramadan but before the next year.
Muslims are also supposed to try to curb their negative thoughts and emotions, such as jealousy and anger, avoid swearing, complaining and gossiping. It is better to spend time with family while reading the Quran and hadiths and performing additional worship.
3. What is a typical day like during Ramadan?
During Ramadan, Muslims wake up long before dawn to have a morning meal before the opening of fasting. Doctors recommend eating high-protein food and drinking as much water as possible for sahur before dawn. At dawn, we perform the morning prayer.
Muslims are not supposed to avoid work, school or any other usual duties during the day. However, in many Muslim countries enterprises and schools may reduce their working hours during the day or close entirely.
When the evening call to prayer is made, you should break the fast by drinking water and eating a couple of dates before performing the evening prayer. Many Muslims also attend taraweeh prayer, which are performed during the month of Ramadan in every mosque.
This is followed by a larger and more substantial meal, which is mostly shared with family and friends.
4. Is Ramadan a special Muslim diet?
Some might think that fasting during Ramadan is a very good diet and a great way to lose some weight. But, unfortunately, there are very often cases when people, on the contrary, gain weight. It is connected with overeating and improper distribution of food, as well as the choice of products for cooking. Add here also a long period of low activity, which has a negative effect on metabolism.
5. Even water is prohibited to drink, even a little and even if nobody sees it
As the sun rises, Muslims cannot eat or drink anything. Some non-Muslims think that fasting during Ramadan is similar to fasting before a medical procedure – only a few hours later you can drink water. However fasting in Islam is something else.
During these 30 days Muslims refrain not only from eating and drinking during the daytime. Fasting is an opportunity to become more disciplined and to improve yourself. That is why, during Ramadan it is prohibited to swear, gossip, smoke, get into arguments, fight or even just be depressed and capricious. If you can avoid bad habits during a month, you will be able to do it for one more month, year and for the rest of your life, will not you?
The main idea of fasting is spiritual growth. This is the time for improving character, spirituality and discipline. This is purification both for body and soul. This is a chance to establish relationship with the Almighty, to devote more time to studying your own religion and worshiping.
Ramadan can be compared to an annual overhaul, when the body and soul are being cleaned. This is a chance for Muslims to get rid of their bad habits, change and turn over a new leaf of their lives.
6. Fasting is not bad for your health
Many non-Muslims confronted with the idea of 30 days of fasting come to the conclusion that it can lead to deplorable consequences for the body. This kind of attitude is not surprising: today we are witnessing a cult of food, which has led to an epidemic of obesity. However, if we refer to scientists, we will find out that fasting is not only harmless to the physical condition of a healthy adult, but also really useful. Intermittent fasting helps the body rejuvenate and recover; thereby improving overall health.
7. Why do the dates of Ramadan change every year?
For religious matters, Muslims follow a lunar calendar – that is, based on the phases of the moon. In this calendar, 12 months add up to approximately 354 days. It is 11 days shorter than the 365 days of the standard Gregorian calendar. Thus, the Islamic lunar calendar moves backward approximately 11 days each year in relation to the regular Gregorian calendar. Therefore, each year the first month of Ramadan begins 11 days earlier than before.
When Ramadan is in winter, it is easier to fast: days get shorter, which means that you do not need to fast so long, and it is colder in the streets, so people are not that thirsty. But when Ramadan is in summer, believers face a lot of inconveniences. By the way, in some countries of Northern Europe, such as Iceland, Norway and Sweden, fasting can last on average about 20 hours and even longer in summer. In some places beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets in summer at all. In such cases Muslim scholars have decided that Muslims can fast either with the nearest Muslim country or with Mecca.
8. What can I do to be respectful of my Muslim friends during fasting?
If your Muslim colleagues fast, you can be respectful and have lunch in another room, not at your own desk in order not to torment other people with the smell of food or inconvenience them.
Try not to offer a piece or a sip of what you are eating, because sometimes people may just absentmindedly try the food.
If you are having a dinner party and want to invite your Muslim friends, try to schedule it after sunset, so that they can take part in it. Do not forget about the fact that Muslims do not drink alcohol and do not eat pork.
If you want to wish your Muslim friends or acquaintances happy Ramadan or happy Eid al-Fitr, you are welcome to just say “Happy Ramadan!” or “Happy Eid al-Fitr”. However if you want to be more respectful and show them you made an effort to learn more about Muslim culture, you can use the following phrases: “Ramadan/Eid kareem” or “Ramadan/Eid Mubarak”.
Even something as simple as learning one of these expressions and saying it with a smile to your Muslim friends can create a friendly atmosphere and make them smile back.
9. Does everybody have to fast during Ramadan?
During Ramadan all Muslims have to fast every day from sunrise to sunset. Exceptions are made for children and the elderly, as well as for pregnant or lactating women, and for people who are ill or travelling. Besides, there are certain illnesses that are an obstacle for fasting. But here it is always better to see a Muslim doctor who can give you a consultation.
Ilmira Gafiyatullina
Photo: Creative Commons