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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Islam
uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting
of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter
than the solar calendar used elsewhere,
Islamic holidays
"move" each year. In 2003 Ramadan begins on Oct. 27; in 2004 it will
begin on Oct. 15.
For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8
million in North America—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by
prayer, fasting, and charity. This year Ramadan precedes
Christmas
and overlaps
Hanukkah.
But while in many places these holidays have become widely
commercialized, Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and
devotion to Allah (God).
Why this Month?
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the
first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D.,
a caravan trader named
Muhammad
took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia)
while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from
the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had
been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed,
Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed
as the Qur'an.
Fasting
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of
Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including
water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Ten Branches
(duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims
take partin sawm from the age maturity.
The
Islamic fasting is total abstinence from any food, particles passing
through the mouth or nose, as well as drinks of any kind - water,
milk, juice, etc. - along with abstinence from sexual association
during the day that commences from the break of dawn till sunset.
Although the definition indicated is regarding restrains of the
stomach and private parts, the tongue, eyes, ears and other limbs
are equally obligated to be restrained if the person fasting wants
to gain the total rewards of fasting. This is why the Messenger of
Allah has said: "He who does not abstain from obscene language and
acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah does not care
that he didn't eat or drink.” In another hadith, the Prophet said:
"Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from
obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly
toward you, say (to them) 'I am fasting, I am fasting." Imam Ali has
said "how many people have gained nothing from fasting but hunger
and thirst.”
During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed
during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor,
a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is
broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with
dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.
Fasting serves many
purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of
the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to
practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this
most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes
from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow
Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan ends with the
festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2003 occurs on November 26.
Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of
the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after
the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in
their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations,
give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities.
Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they
have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws
to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by
feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
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