Beginning this week, nearly a quarter of the world's population will be observing a month-long period of prayer, charity, spirituality and fasting known as Ramadan.
Indeed, approximately 1.6 million Muslims across the globe will participate in the holy festival this year. They will fast from sunup to sundown, increase humility and generosity, avoid sources of pleasure, read and study the Quran, and engage in deep prayer every day, all for an entire month.
It is highly likely that your coworker, friend, your kid's teacher or even the stranger sitting next to you in the train will be taking part in the holy tradition. If you're like me and you don't practice Islam, educating yourself to better understand the facts and basic customs will help you avoid unintentional disrespect.
Why Is Ramadan Significant To Muslims?
Ramadan is observed every year to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, the founder and chief prophet of Islam. Specifically, it commemorates the night in 610 AD when the first verses of the holy text were revealed to the prophet. This holy night is called "The Night of Power" or Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic.
Ramadan is part of the five pillars or duties of Islam, which are the following:
1. Shahada or the declaration of faith;
2. Salat, which consists of five daily prayers;
3. Zakāt or alms-giving;
4. Sawm or fasting, where the holy month of Ramadan falls;
5. and Hajj or the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
Fasting during Ramadan allows Muslims to seek nearness from Allah, ask forgiveness, express gratitude to him and atone for sins, among many others. It is essentially a time of spiritual discipline, deep contemplation and reflection.
Muslims are supposed to get rid of negative thoughts and emotions such as jealousy and anger, as well as complaining, gossiping and swearing, according to Vox. Some may choose to limit or give up activities such as watching TV or listening to music. Instead, they will opt for listening to or studying the Quran.
The end of Ramadan will be marked by a three-day celebration known as Eid al-Fitr or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. Everyone — family and friends — gathers together for big meals, exchanges presents and spends time together.
When Is The Official Start Of Ramadan?
Islam follows a calendar that is based on the phases of the moon. Twelve months in the lunar calendar is equal to 354 days — 11 days shorter than the standard Gregorian calendar. Ramadan, which begins during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, moves backward by 11 days every year.
This means that annually, the official start of Ramadan may vary. In 2016, the duration of the holy festival begins on June 6 and ends on July 5. Next year, it will start on May 27 and end on June 24.
How Does The Date Affect The Practice?
According to Vox, the date of Ramadan has a great impact on how people experience the tradition.
Ramadan that falls during winter also falls on shorter days and longer nights. On the other hand, when Ramadan begins during summer, temperatures in most Middle Eastern and African countries become sweltering.
Are Sick People Required To Fast During Ramadan?
Although all Muslims are required to take part in Ramadan every year, some are exempted from doing so. Little children, pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, women on their menstrual period, elderly people, people who are suffering from an illness and people who have diabetes are all excluded from Ramadan.
Some people with diabetes still refuse to break the fast, but officials from the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association (SDEA) recommend that they consult their doctors before participating.
Proper Etiquette For Non-Muslims During Ramadan
In some Muslim countries, it is illegal for non-Muslims to eat and drink in public at daytime during Ramadan. But in the United States, there is no strict enforcement of such rules.
Here are some tips for fellow non-Muslims:
1. Be considerate and do not offer your Muslim friends or coworkers a bite of your food.
2. If you're having a party, schedule it after sunset so your Muslim friends can eat. Just remember not to offer them pork or alcohol.
3. Non-Muslims do not have to join Muslims in fasting, but Saeed Ahmed of CNN says they can join for the breaking of the fast during sundown, which is called Iftar.
4. According to Ahmed, we shouldn't say, "I should fast too. I need to lose weight," especially because Ramadan is not about that. Incidentally, obesity is actually a side-effect of Ramadan.
5. If you want to greet your Muslim friends, you could either say "Ramadan Mubarak," which means, "Have a blessed Ramadan, or "Ramadan Kareem," which means, "Have a generous Ramadan."
Ramadan Mubarak!
Photo : Jonathan David Chandler | Flickr
