What is Ramadan?
By: H F Sylaj
Tags: Islam, Eid Al Fitr, Ramadan, Religion, Muslim

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty, the Exalted.” [ImamTabarani]

A Month in the Calendar

What is Ramadan? Honestly, Ramadan is a number of things.

First of all, it is simply one month in the Muslim calendar. Muslims track time differently than the rest of the world (though we use the Gregorian calendar as well so we can easily communicate with the rest of the world.)

The Muslim calendar is based on a lunar cycle, meaning it follows the cycles of the moon instead of the sun like the Gregorian calendar does. When you track time by the sun, every month lands at the same time of year or in the same season for each year. In a lunar calendar, the months actually rotate to start approximately 11 days earlier every year. That means that the months are not connected to the seasons like we are used to with the Gregorian calendar.

It also means that the holidays are not at the same time every year. That is why Ramadan is never at the same point of the year.

The beginning of a month traditionally started when the crescent moon was seen in the sky. In these modern times, some countries still prefer to follow this old fashioned method for determining the start of Ramadan. Because of this, it is not known ahead of time what the exact day the month will start. If the moon cannot be sighted, fasting does not begin.

Up to three nights the moon is sought and if it is still not seen, fasting begins anyway. Otherwise, the night it is seen determines that fasting begins the next day.

Not all countries use this method. Some now go according to a mathematical model that predicts the day the month begins. Because of this, some countries start fasting on a different day than others do.

Most Muslims and even mosques prefer to wait and see who declares Ramadan when. Many follow the ruling of the country they or their family originally came from. Others follow the country they reside in. This discrepancy can make it very difficult for Muslims to take off work either for the start of the month or the holiday at the end since they may not have enough notice to give their employer.

Fasting

Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness” (Q 2:183)

Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims. For 28–29 days Muslims are not allowed to do any of the following from dawn to sunset: eat food, take medicine, drink liquids (even water), smoke, chew gum, suck on candy, have sexual relations, or express anger. The things you should be doing are spending extra time in prayer, making dua (personal prayers) and dhikr (reciting the names of Allah). Many people also try to read the entire Qur’an within the month.

Exceptions to having to fast are made if you are below the age of puberty, at an advanced age and feel you cannot do so and be healthy, have medical conditions that would be negatively impacted, are required to take medicines during fasting hours, are traveling more than a certain distance from your home, are pregnant or breastfeeding and feel you cannot handle it (some do, some do not), or are experiencing menstruation. Fasting should not negatively impact your health and if it does it should be stopped.

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:”… whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Imam Bukhari).

If someone is not able to fast, they are required to make up for their lack of it. If it is a temporary reason (such as menstruation or being sick for a day or two), the person should make up the fast on days outside of the month of Ramadan on a day when fasting is allowed. When someone cannot fast for the entire month, they are required to feed a hungry person for each day missed or donate the appropriate amount of money to do so. There are many valid charities that accept these donations and make sure they feed the poor and hungry with the donations. My husband cannot fast due to a heart condition. We normally donate to Islamic Relief to atone for his inability.

Another way that a person who cannot fast (and even one who can) can gain the blessings that come from fastings, is to feed a fasting person. My husband regularly makes my iftar dinner (the meal that breaks the fat) or at least makes sure I have water and dates ready when it is time to break my fast. It is such a kind gesture from him, helps him feel like he is still part of Ramadan even though he is not fasting, and gains blessings for him while helping me.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward.” [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh].

Fasting hours have been very long in recent years due to the tilt of the Earth and Ramadan falling in the summer months. In 2019, fasting lasted as long as 24 hours in countries north of the Arctic Circle. Because of this, a special ruling was made that Muslims in such areas could fast according to the hours observed in Mecca.

Sabah and Iftar

Sabah is the morning meal that is taken before the fasting of the day begins. It must be finished by the time the call to prayer starts at dawn, though most finish up to 20 minutes early to make sure they do not go over. Families normally take this meal together, but having a community Sabah is unusual.

Iftar is the meal that Muslims have when they break their fast at sunset. It is normal for people to gather together and have a communal meal. Most mosques have a community iftar at least once a week during Ramadan to gather their congregation together.

Prayer

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Imam Bukhari) …

Ramadan is more than just fasting. It is also a time to draw closer to Allah. Extra time is often spent in dua (voluntary prayer) and dhikr (repetition of the names of Allah). People also endeavor to make all five daily prayers if they have trouble doing so at other times.

Taqwah

“The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood)..” (Q 2:185)

Taqwah means having piety and a fear of Allah. In Ramadan, this is expressed by Muslims gathering at their mosques after iftar and holding special recitations of the Qu’ran. They endeavor to recite the entire Qu’ran within the holy month. Many even sleep at the mosques on a rotation, some reciting and praying while others gather a bit of sleep and then switching, so that they may complete it all within the time. If a person is unable to attend these recitation sessions, they may choose to recite at home.

The Night of Power

“Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “Peace” (continuously) till the rise of Morning!” (Q 97:1–5)

The Night of Power is the night when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him.) Muslims endeavor to spend all night in prayer on this night. The only problem is that no one knows the exact night it is. It is only known it is within the last ten days of the month.

Eid

The first day of the next month starts a three-day celebration called Eid al Fitr. It is a celebration of the end of Ramadan and the end of fasting. Fasting during these days is forbidden.

“Y ou shall complete the number [of days] and you may glorify God for his guiding you, and that you may be thankful.” Qur’an 2:185

During these days people give small gifts to children, visit friends and family, indulge in special dishes such as baklava, and wear new fancy clothing for the occasion. Prayers are also held at dawn on the first day in the mosque.

Modern Traditions

Ramadan is not a ‘Muslim Christmas’ as media would often have us believe. Though there are Muslims who have incorporated modern traditions that seem ‘Christmasy’ into their celebration of Ramadan. These can be poorly accepted in the Muslim community at large because new traditions are generally frowned upon in Islam.

Some people like to decorate their homes. Christmas lights in white and perhaps blue are often used. Banners declaring “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem” may be hung. These might be switched out for ones saying ‘Eid’ instead of ‘Ramadan’ at the end of the month. Lanterns are a common decorative element.

People may send Ramadan cards to family and friends just as Christians send Christmas cards. Gifts may also be exchanged, even among adults. Traditionally small gifts like a little cash and candy were given only to children. In a strange twist, some even decorate trees with Ramadan related ornaments similar to a Christmas tree.

The intention of adopting such traditions is sometimes to help an inter-faith family feel comfortable with combined faiths. It may be for a convert who is unsure of what traditions are normal and maybe misses the traditions from their childhood. Mixing some of them in with their new faith can help them feel at home. And sometimes it is because the world at large puts such a material emphasis on holidays and modern celebrations can seem bare without such pomp and circumstance.

Ramadan is a special time for Muslims. Even Muslims that do not follow their faith the rest of the year often fast for Ramadan. It is a special time of family, faith, and community.