Ramadan begins this week, a holy, month-long observance for Muslim communities in america and all over the world.
Many Muslim folks will observe Ramadan by fasting from sunup to sunset, praying collectively, holding communal meals and festivities and extra.
Asma Sayeed, an affiliate professor of Islamic Research at UCLA, defined that Ramadan is rooted in lots of practices, together with to “invoke the remembrance of God for a steady interval” and “to have fun and keep in mind the revelation of the Qur’an as a present to humanity.”
However when is Ramadan? Why do Muslims interact in fasting for Ramadan? Right here’s what you have to know.
When is Ramadan?
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, begins on Wednesday, March 22 in america and continues via April 21, ending within the vacation Eid al-Fitr.
What’s Ramadan?
Ramadan is a major month for a lot of Muslim those that entails prayer, fasting, spending time with household and associates and extra.
“The only reply is that it is the ninth month within the Islamic lunar calendar,” Martyn Oliver, school chair of the American College Core, informed USA TODAY. “The extra particular sense is that it is one of many holiest celebratory months in Islamic observe.”
Muslims consider that, through the month of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad was given the Qur’an, Islam’s holy e book. It marked the primary time that God revealed to Muhammed he was a prophet tasked with carrying God’s message.
Why do some Muslims quick?
One main observe of Ramadan is fasting from dawn to sundown. Muslim folks who’ve reached puberty are known as on to quick, a observe of self-restraint supposed to convey folks nearer to God.
“It’s for Muslims to recollect God, to strengthen their relationship with him via an act of piety and sacrifice,” Sayeed stated. “As a result of it is robust. It isn’t straightforward to quick for a full month, and in addition to abstain from drink.”
Ramadan can be “for Muslims to interact in acts of charity by depriving themselves of food and drinks,” Sayeed stated.
“They keep in mind what it’s to face bodily and materials deprivation,” she defined. “The concept is to kind of invite Muslims to be extra charitable in that month and for the remainder of the 12 months since you’ve kind of skilled need your self in very direct methods.”
Muslim folks fasting throughout Ramadan don’t eat meals or drink liquids, however it could possibly additionally “imply abstaining from sexual relationships or for smoking or for another sort of pleasurable consumption,” Oliver stated.
Muslim folks break their fasts after a night prayer with a meal known as ifṭār. These meals are sometimes communal occasions with family and friends. Whereas meals at these meals can differ by neighborhood, one widespread alternative is dates, a reference to the Prophet Muhammad consuming dates to interrupt his quick.
People who find themselves pregnant, nursing or menstruating are sometimes exempt from fasting, in addition to older folks, folks with diseases and others.
How else is Ramadan noticed?
Some Muslim folks may also do “a further voluntary prayer” known as Tarawih, Sayeed stated.
“These are extra nightly prayers. Typically they’re prayed in congregation, in a mosque, and one-thirtieth of the Qur’an is recited every evening,” she stated. “So the thought right here is that by the top of Ramadan, that neighborhood or people who find themselves praying may have learn, recited your complete Qur’an in prayer. That’s a really excessive act of devotion. Many Muslims attempt to learn via the Qur’an truly, through the month of Ramadan.”
The holiest evening of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, which takes place within the remaining 10 days of the month. It’s known as the “Night time of Energy,” when the Angel Jibril revealed the Qur’an’s preliminary verses to the Prophet Muhammad.
Ramadan can be a time to provide to charities, Oliver stated.
“It is also the time whenever you do a variety of charitable giving. It is the season of giving to worthy causes or to organizations that assist those that are with out,” he stated.
Ought to I say ‘Glad Ramadan?’
If you’re not observing Ramadan however need to greet a coworker or good friend who’s, Sayeed stated that you could be need to say “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem”
“The primary is rather like kind of, congratulations for Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem is definitely a very stunning one. Kareem is a phrase connoting generosity and giving. The concept although you are experiencing a really excessive degree of fabric deprivation, that Ramadan itself and these charitable acts throughout Ramadan which are heightened for Muslims evoke generosity and bounty,” she stated.
Oliver stated you might also need to “want any individual a simple quick, which is a kind of a recognition that any individual who’s collaborating in Ramadan goes to be hungry and drained through the day.”
What’s Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr commemorates the top of Ramadan. It means “the feast of the breaking of the quick.”
Sayeed known as it a “main annual vacation for Muslims,” after they “are suggested to sort of put on their nicest garments, exit within the morning for congregational prayer.”
Youngsters might obtain presents after prayers, and communities might come collectively for celebratory meals and fireworks.
“There is a sense of reduction at having accomplished the fasting or perhaps a way of accomplishment, and in addition gratefulness for what one has,” Oliver stated.
Contributing: Clare Mulroy, Maria Jimenez Moya; USA TODAY