Illustration for article titled The Bare Minimum Everyone Should Know About RamadanPhoto: JOAT (Shutterstock)

In the western world, we usually associate spring with renewal and celebrations of gratitude, and the Islamic calendar is no different: the month-long celebration of Ramadan, considered the holiest time of the year by the 1.8 billion followers of the religion worldwide, is currently underway, bringing with it ancient traditions of fasting and spiritual pilgrimages to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia (although pandemic travel restrictions apply to this year’s celebrations).

On your social media feeds, you have likely seen brands, public figures, or sports teams carrying the message of “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem,” meaning “Blessed Ramadan” (or “Happy Ramadan”) and “Generous Ramadan “Means to have expressed,” respectively. And since Ramadan is such a rich and historic time in the Muslim faith, it is worthwhile for everyone to understand its meaning.

What is ramadan

Ramadan commemorates the time when the Prophet Mohammad revealed the sacred text of the religion – the Koran – 1,400 years ago. The roots of the word reflect the arid conditions of the desert, derived from the Arabic word Ramidha, which roughly means “intense, scorching heat”. after fluent Arabic.

Fluent Arabic explains the meaning of the desert metaphor and notes how the concept of scorching heat is meant to burn one’s sins:

Ramadan was so named because it burns the sins of believers. Just as the blazing sun evaporates water from the surface of the earth, Ramadan burns its sins. This spiritual heat cleanses and molds us into better people.

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In terms of practice, Ramadan is a month of fasting, worship, and fellowship. Fasting (alternatively referred to as a saw) is one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith, along with the creed (Shahada), prayer (Salat), charity (Zakat) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). During Ramadan, devotees fast from sunrise to sunset throughout the month.

Abstinence in other areas of life is also practiced, like Fiza Pirani writes in the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

During the month, Muslims also abstain from habits such as smoking, caffeine, sex, and gossip. This is seen as a way to purify oneself both physically and spiritually while practicing self-control.

The daily routine in Ramadan can be strict depending on whether a person is physically strong and healthy enough to fast all day. There are exceptions on this frontespecially when it comes to pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly, younger children and pilgrims.

However, for those who can fully participate, the daily schedule often begins with a pre-dawn meal that a practitioner must maintain until dusk. Therefore, it is usually high in protein and drinking a lot of water. The day is normal until “iftar” begins. This is basically a snack just before the evening’s first prayers. Then some people go to their local mosque for special Ramadan services, often followed by a large meal at someone’s home, usually involving family and friends. The celebrations end with a climax on the last day, Eid al-Fitr.

When is Ramadan?

It varies annually, but only slightly. Because Islam adheres to the lunar calendar, which works in accordance with the phases of the moon, Ramadan advances 10 days each year in the Gregorian calendar used by the majority of the world. Traditionally, Ramadan begins on the first day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar and lasts for 30 days.

This year the observation started on Monday April 12th and ends on Tuesday May 11th.

While congregations around the world largely observe the same date and time (although some Muslims prefer to consult with their local mosque on an official start date for the celebrations), not all fasting routines follow an identical timeframe. Since the sunlight varies depending on the hemisphere, the hours are spent Fasting can be significantly different in the distance of the northern hemisphere, in contrast to Muslims who fast in more southern regions.

Still, the general principles of vacation — fellowship, family commitment, and a virtuous life — are unwavering wherever you worship.