What is Ramadan

When asked what Ramadan is, most people say, “we’re fasting.”  That is only a part of it, it is the month of peace, tranquility, cure, forgiveness, mercy, attaining paradise, revelation, and the month of the Quran.

Ramadan is the name of the month of the Islamic Calendar. The Islamic months are based on moon cycles, the months vary in length based on when the new moon is sighted. That is why it is not known what exact day Ramadan starts.

Ramadan is known as the month of the Quran; it is the month in which Prophet Muhammad (SWT) got his first Quran revelation from Arch Angel Gabriel (Jibreel).

How Does Fasting Work

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, no eating or drinking while the sun is up. Muslims have their Suhoor, which is the “pre-fasting” meal they have before sunrise, so they are able to fast all day. When Fajr (1^st Islamic prayer) is called, you are required to stop eating and drinking.

“In the morning at around 4 am I get up and eat a lot of food, drink a lot of water, a lot of fluids and you just have to maintain your movement. Don’t do too much, don’t like overreact in a kind of way that you don’t have to. You just have to conserve your energy and put less energy into things you don’t really need to do much of,” Junior Nizar Berdiji said.

Fasting is broken at Maghrib (4^th Islamic prayer) when the sun goes down. There are 6 mandatory Salahs (Islamic Prayers), so when Maghrib is heard either through tv or in places like Egypt, prayers are called out in Mosques, they break their fast. Most Muslims break their fast with a date, like Prophet Muhammad (SWT), used to do.

Muslims can start fasting as young as possible, but it is required to fast at ages 11-12 old. But most Muslim households have their children fast at early age to get into the habit of fasting.

You are required to make up the days of Ramadan that you did not fast after the holy   month. Whether it was because of sickness or for females; the menstrual cycle, or simply because you failed. But you must wait at least a week after to make those days up, since Eid Al Fitr is right after Ramadan.

Eid Al Fitr is a holiday simply celebrating the end of Ramadan. It is translated to Festival of Breaking Fast. Eid Al Fitr lasts for 3 days; Muslims celebrate and wake up early to preform Eid Salah (prayer), which is a bit different than the normal prayers. They go to the Mosque early in the morning, gathering with other family members and neighbors celebrating.

Why Fasting

Muslims have Five Pillars of Islam, which are, Shahada (Faith), Salah (Prayer), Zakat (Alms Giving), Swam (Fasting), and Hajj (Pilgrimage). Each of the five pillars works in collaboration with the others to infuse every Muslim’s way of life with the Islamic faith, which is one of peace and submission to Allah (SWT). Fasting plays an important role.

“For this generation, I think it helps people appreciate what they have as for when you’re fasting it is meant to put you through what other less fortunate people go through. So, you can feel as what they feel but only for about 8 hours. Obviously, they have to go through it for a lifetime or however long their situation is. But we fast from sunrise to sunset, which is not really a long period of time, but it’s great to give a better understanding,” Berdiji stated.

Fasting cleanses the body of toxins. Ramadan is of cleansing sins, as it is cleansing your body.

Tradition / Culture

Even though Ramadan is more of a Religion thing, culture and tradition plays a significant role.

In every Middle Eastern country, Ramadan can be celebrated slightly differently. Junior Student Omar Grini is from Morrocco and explains that although there are diverse ways it is celebrated, it is all the same concept.

“In Morrocco, the celebration of Ramadan is slightly different than in other places. Given that it is a different country. We eat different types of food. We have different little celebrations, but overall, the main gist is the same because we’re fasting,” Grini stated.

Every Ramadan it is a tradition for new T.V shows to come out. Every year Middle Easterns wait for upcoming tv shows, which are made just for the month of Ramadan.

As we grow older, we are taught to forgive, especially in the month of Ramadan. It is a culture to come together and break the fast together. In most Muslim countries people from all over all gather and cook, decorate, and pray as one group. They all usually gather in many Masjids and neighborhoods.

“It brings the community together and I feel like a sense of pride that I’m able to control myself to such a degree that I’m able to fast the entire day while other people aren’t fasting,” Grini said.

It is culture to do Zakat (Alms), to donate to the people in need. To give out food and money, only if you are able. In Islam, you are required to do Zakat if you have the wealth. Or you can do as much as you are able to, even if it is one person, Allah will accept.

Ramadan is the month of celebrating being a Muslim. It is the month when we do the simple things that Allah (God) has ordained. The month of guidance. It is where we practice self-control. It is a duty to make an effort with the word of Allah (SWT).