This week marks the beginning of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan. That means that 1.6 million people around the world will be celebrating the holiday.
Vox writer Jennifer Williams is a convert to the faith. She explains the meaning of the holy month and gives some important information for non-Muslims.
- What is Ramadan about anyway? The Prophet Mohammed said that the month of Ramadan was when the gates of Heaven would be open and the gates of Hell locked shut. The faithful are asked to spend the month contemplating their relationship with Allah and reading the Quran. To focus, they fast from sunrise to sunset every day of the month. At the end of the month, everyone holds a huge family celebration called Eid Al-Fitr. There are gifts, family gatherings and tons of food.
- Who fasts and what are the rules? Islam has five pillars, or duties, that every Muslim must follow. Fasting for Ramadan is one of them. Healthy adults are expected to participate every year. Pregnant or nursing women are exempt. The purpose of the fast is to remind the faithful that they depend upon Allah for life, and to let them feel compassion for the poor. During the daylight hours, people do not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sex. Many also try not to swear or gossip.
- What happens during a day of Ramadan? People generally wake up early, well before dawn, to eat a healthy meal. They eat lots of proteins and drink as much water as possible, since the meal will have to last for about 15 hours. Then they go off to work or school, like its a regular day. When the evening call to prayer is sounded, people have a small meal, or snack, then head off to pray. Later, there is a bigger, more festive meal to really break the fast. This is usually a social event.
- Do people lose weight while fasting? Actually, no! Many people gain weight during the month, with the late night feasting after having been so hungry. A lot of people also curb their exercise during the month, since they can’t eat or drink during the day.
- Why does Ramadan fall on different dates each year? The Muslim calendar is a lunar one, based on the phases of the moon. It is shorter than the Gregorian calendar used in many secular societies, so the holy month comes earlier by 11 days each month. Sometimes it falls in winter, when days and fasts are shorter. Sometimes it falls in summer.
- Why the annual confusion about the start date? The first day of Ramadan falls on the “new moon” of the ninth month of the Muslim calendar.
Image via YouTube screengrab As you can see, the “new moon” isn’t actually visible to the naked eye. Traditionally, people waited until the thin crescent of the waxing moon was visible to begin the holy month.
- Do Sunni and Shia Muslims celebrate differently? Not really. Both groups fast, although the Sunni break the fast at sun set, while Shia wait until all of the light has left the sky. More importantly, the Shia commemorate the death of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Mohammed. He was killed during the war after Mohammed’s death. Sunni Muslims revere Ali, but don’t commemorate his death as the Shia do.
- How can I be respectful to Muslims during Ramadan? The author of the Vox article is a convert to Islam. She said that the main thing is please don’t eat that delicious sandwich in front of a fasting coworker! And if you want to invite a Muslim friend to dinner, please wait until after sunset. Other than that, its always nice to say Ramadan Mubarak!
- If Ramadan is about being compassionate, kind and mindful of God, why do terrorists so often strike during the month? To quote Jennifer Williams, “Because terrorists are assholes.”
Featured image by Dennis Jarvis via Flickr. Available through Creative Commons Generic License 2.0
