Ramadan 2017
will begin in the evening of Friday, 26
May and ends in the evening of Saturday, 24
June (dates may vary).
Ramadan (English: /ˌræməˈdɑːn/; Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān, IPA: [ramaˈdˤaːn]; also
romanized as Ramazan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan) is , and is observed
by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (Sawm) to commemorate the first
revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This annual
observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts
29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to
numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.
The word Ramadan comes from the
Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is
fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an
illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going
through menstrual bleeding. Fasting the month of Ramadan was made obligatory
(wājib) during the month of Sha'ban, in the second year after the Muslims
migrated from Mecca to Medina. Fatwas have been issued declaring that Muslims
who live in regions with a natural phenomenon such as the midnight sun or polar
night should follow the timetable of Mecca, but the more commonly accepted
opinion is that Muslims in those areas should follow the timetable of the
closest country to them in which night can be distinguished from day.
While fasting from dawn until
sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and
engaging in sexual relations. Muslims are also instructed to refrain from
sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech
(insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc.) and fighting. Food and drinks are
served daily, before dawn and after sunset. Spiritual rewards (thawab) for
fasting are also believed to be multiplied within the month of Ramadan. Fasting
for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat
(prayers) and recitation of the Quran.
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE MONTH
BEGINNING
Ramadan
beginning dates between Gregorian years 1938 and 2038.
Hilāl
(the crescent) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon.
Since the new moon marks the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually
safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan. However, to many Muslims, this is not
in accordance with authenticated Hadiths stating that visual confirmation per
region is recommended. The consistent variations of a day have existed since
the time of Muhammad.
NIGHT OF POWER
Laylat
al-Qadr, which in Arabic means "the night of power" or "the
night of decree", is considered the holiest night of the year. This is the
night in which Muslims believe the first revelation of the Quran was sent down
to Muhammad stating that this night was "better
than one thousand months “of proper worship”, as stated in Chapter 97:3 of
the Qu'ran.
Also,
generally, Laylat al-Qadr is
believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last ten days of
Ramadan, i.e., the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. The Dawoodi
Bohra Community believe that the 23rd night is laylat al Qadr.
END
The
holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Arabic:عيد الفطر) marks the end of Ramadan and
the beginning of the next lunar month, Shawwal. This first day of the following
month is declared after another crescent new moon has been sighted or the
completion of 30 days of fasting if no visual sighting is possible due to
weather conditions. This first day of Shawwal is called Eid al-Fitr. Eid
al-Fitr may also be a reference towards the festive nature of having endured
the month of fasting successfully and returning to the more natural disposition
(fitra) of being able to eat, drink and resume intimacy with spouses during the
day.
RELIGIOUS
PRACTICES IN RAMADAN
The
common practice during Ramadan is fasting 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 the iftar. Considering the high diversity of the global Muslim
population, it is impossible to describe typical suhur or iftar meals.
Muslims
also engage in increased prayer and charity during Ramadan. Ramadan is also a
month where Muslims try to practice increased self-discipline. This is
motivated by the Hadith, especially in Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that "When
Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell are
locked up and devils are put in chains."
FASTING
Ramadan
is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and
worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings
of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to
abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims also increase restraint, such as
abstaining from sexual relations and generally sinful speech and behavior. The
act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its
purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities.
Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self-discipline,
self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus
encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).
It
becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so
long as they are healthy and sane, and have no disabilities or illnesses. Many
children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later
life.
Exemptions
to fasting are travel, menstruation, severe illness, pregnancy, and
breastfeeding. However, many Muslims with medical conditions insist on fasting
to satisfy their spiritual needs, although it is not recommended by the hadith.
Professionals should closely monitor such individuals who decide to persist
with fasting. Those who were unable to fast still must make up the days missed
later.
SUHUR
Each
day, before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the suhur. After
stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day,
Fajr. At sunset, families hasten for the fast-breaking meal known as iftar.
IFTAR
In
the evening, dates are usually the first food to break the fast; according to
tradition, Muhammad broke fast with three dates. Following that, Muslims
generally adjourn for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers,
after which the main meal is served.
Social
gatherings, many times in a buffet style, are frequent at iftar. Traditional
dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, and particularly
those made only during Ramadan. Water is usually the beverage of choice, but
juice and milk are also often available, as are soft drinks and caffeinated
beverages.
In
the Middle East, the iftar meal consists of water, juices, dates, salads and
appetizers, one or more main dishes, and various kinds of desserts. Usually,
the dessert is the most important part during iftar. Typical main dishes are
lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, or roast
chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf. A rich dessert, such as
luqaimat, baklava or kunafeh (a buttery, syrup-sweetened kadaifi noodle pastry
filled with cheese), concludes the meal.
Over
time, iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with
families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger
spaces at masjid or banquet halls for 100 or more diners.
CHARITY
Charity
is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakāt, often
translated as "the poor-rate", is obligatory as one of the pillars of
Islam; a fixed percentage of the person's savings is required to be given to
the poor. Sadaqah is voluntary charity in giving above and beyond what is
required from the obligation of zakāt. In Islam, all good deeds are more
handsomely rewarded during Ramadan than in any other month of the year.
Consequently, many will choose this time to give a larger portion, if not all,
of the zakāt that they are obligated to give. In addition, many will also use
this time to give a larger portion of sadaqah in order to maximize the reward
that will await them at the Last Judgment.
NIGHTLY PRAYERS
Tarawih
(Arabic: تراويح) refers to extra prayers
performed by Muslims at night in the Islamic month of Ramadan. Contrary to
popular belief, they are not compulsory. However, many Muslims pray these
prayers in the evening during Ramadan. Some scholars maintain that Tarawih is neither
fard nor a Sunnah, but is the preponed Tahajjud (night prayer) prayer shifted
to post-Isha' for the ease of believers. But a majority of Sunni scholars
regard the Tarawih prayers as Sunnat al-Mu'akkadah, a salaat that was performed
by the Islamic prophet Muhammad very consistently.
RECITATION OF THE
QURAN
In
addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran. Some
Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers,
called Tarawih. These voluntary prayers are held in the mosques every night of
the month, during which a whole section of the Quran (juz', which is 1/30 of
the Quran) is recited. Therefore, the entire Quran would be completed at the end
of the month. Although it is not required to read the whole Quran in the
Tarawih prayers, it is common.