Cultural Celebrations
Ramadan is a month of fasting and abstaining from things considered to be impure for the mind and body. It is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims.
What is Islam? Who are Muslims?
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centred on the Holy Book called the Quran (also written in English as Qur'an). The first verse of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Those who follow Islam are known as Muslims.
What and When is Ramadan?
Ramadan begins on Saturday 9 March in 2024.
During Ramadan, the first parts of the Quran were revealed to the Muslim prophet Muhammad. The Quran is a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance.
Like many culture, the Islamic calendar is based on a 12-month lunar cycle, lasting for approximately 354 days. Ramadan is the 9th month of this calendar.
Because the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year, each lunar month moves 11 days earlier each year. It takes 33 solar years for the lunar months to complete a full cycle and return to the same season. The month traditionally begins and ends based on the sighting of the new moon!
Ramadan lasts for twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon (new moon) to the next.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is the final act of celebration. Muslims need to pay their Zakat before beginning Eid prayers. During Eid, which is celebrated for 2-3 days, Muslims wear their best clothes and attend Eid prayer.
What is Fasting?
Those partaking in Ramadan abstain from food, drink and impure thoughts between the hours of sunrise (Fajr) and sunset, allowing them instead to focus on prayer and connecting with Allah (SWT).
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It was ordered in the Qur’an and is expected that all able Muslims should fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. There are some exceptions to the fasting rule such as: those with ill-health or health struggles, such as diabetics; those who are travelling; pregnant women; nursing women; women during their cycle; children below a particular age.
It is customary for children beginning around seven years of age to perform limited or symbolic fasting such as fasting half days or on weekends. As teenagers, they can begin fasting as the adults do.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
The Five Pillars of Islam are the fundamental practices in Islam.
Different branches of the belief refer to the Five Pillars by different names.
Shahadah - the reciting and profession of the Islamic faith.
Salah – five daily prayers and performing ritual cleansing or wudu.
Zakat - giving to charity based on one’s wealth to help those less fortunate. Donations during Ramadan often hold much greater reward for the donor.
Sawm – the process of fasting during the month of Ramadan. There are exceptions as to who can take part in fasting, but it is expected if you are of good health and sound mind.
Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca, which every able-bodied Muslim must do at least once in their lifetime.
Shia Muslims have ten practices which connect to the Five Pillars, called the Ancillaries of the Faith.
Fur further information, see the following website: https://muslimhands.org.uk/ramadan/what-is-ramadan
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