Today marks the first day of Ramadan (2019) for many people across the world. It’s the most sacred month for millions of Muslims across the world, who spend the daylight hours in complete fast. Read the answers below to answer any questions you might have about this month.

What is Ramadan and why do people fast?

The month of Ramadan was established millions of years ago after the Quran (Holy book) was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

It is…

“the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed from dawn to sunset.”

Fasting, also known as Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, in other words, an obligation for all Muslims to fulfil. Other pillars of Islam include, Shahada (recitation of faith), prayer (five times a day), Zakat (giving money to the poor) and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).

At sunset families gather for a meal to break their fast which is known as Iftar (at this point anything deep fried and coated in breadcrumbs will suffice). Many Muslims begin Iftar by eating 2/3 dates (Kajoor) as it is considered as a blessed fruit and it provides the body with sugar, helping restore low blood sugar after fasting all day. It was also recommended by Prophet Muhammad. For me personally, this is the best time of the day, when the entire family gets in the kitchen to help prepare food (although brothers seem to think they’re excused from helping), the streets are filled with children tasked with delivering food to neighbours and houses filled with noise and hurry to get the food ready on time.

Before sunrise many Muslims have a predawn meal, known as Suhur or Sehri, although at this time it is quite difficult to eat as it is so close to Iftar. (If you’re thinking all we do in this month is eat, then yes, we do… as well as many other things of-course.)

The giving of money to the poor is particularly important in this holy month. Many Muslim communities raise money in this month to buy or send food, water and clothes for the less fortunate. It is more expected to have someone knocking on your door fundraising money in this month than any other month.

What can’t you do whilst you are fasting?

Those who are fasting are required to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse. Most people also obtain from profanity, one of which can be quite difficult for some, and back biting.

What is the purpose of fasting?

For many, Ramadan is a month of spiritual growth, building your relationship with Allah (God), doing good deeds and simply trying to better yourself as a Muslim. It’s not just about not eating, it’s about having self-control. How many times in a day do we eat or snack on food whenever we feel peckish? We’re constantly feeding our hunger therefore experiencing the hunger of a fast allows us to understand how the poor live. Whilst we open our fasts with a vast array of food, they don’t. So it’s about being grateful for all that we have. (See, I told you it was more than just not eating).

The end of Ramadan

The end of Ramadan is marked by a celebration called Eid ul-Fitr which typically lasts 1 day (this can differ). This is one of the most important celebration in the Islamic calendar and is at the beginning of the 10th Islamic month called Shawwal. On this day, Muslims dress in their new and best clothes; it begins with a morning prayer which is then followed by a feasting with family members (YES, ANOTHER MEAL!). However, before Muslims attend the morning prayer, they are required to give money, known as Fitrana, to the poor, (per member of the household) and is obligatory.