Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is meant to be a time of spiritual rejuvenation and deep contemplation of one’s relationship with God. During the entire month, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an and fast every day from dawn to sunset.
Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.
The purpose of fasting is to develop God-consciousness. Muslims abstain from the things that people naturally desire: food, liquids, and sexual intimacy. They are especially careful to avoid things that are always sinful and immoral. While maintaining this spiritual discipline, they also increase acts of worship such as prayer, reading and study of the Qur’an, and giving charity.
In 2024, Ramadan will begin approximately March 11th. Because the lunar calendar is shorter than the solar (Gregorian) calendar, Ramadan comes about ten days earlier every year, and cycles through the seasons.
DAILY RAMADAN ROUTINE:
- During Ramadan Muslims get up before dawn and eat a small meal.
- During the day, Muslims typically do their usual work. However, they increase time spent reading Qur’an, praying, and striving to do good deeds.
- At sunset they break the fast with a very light meal, pray, and usually get together with friends and family for dinner. Many go to the mosques for the night prayer and a special prayer called Taraweeh.
The Qur’an states: “O you who believe! Seek My help through patience and prayer: surely, Allah is with those who are patient.” [Qur’an (2):153]
Explanation of Eid Holidays
Muslims worldwide celebrate two religious holidays annually, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. Each Eid coincides with a season of increased divine favor and aims to express gratitude to God. The Eid celebration is typically the largest gathering of Muslims in any locality.
Eid al-Fitr literally means “festival of breaking the fast” and marks the end of Ramadan, a month dedicated to fasting and worship. Muslims traditionally begin Eid day by dressing in their finest clothes and distributing a food-based charity, known as zakat al-fitr, to those in need. After such they gather for a special prayer, which is followed by a short sermon. In addition to celebrating the end of fasting with great feasts, many Muslims consider Eid to be the ideal time to visit friends and family and strengthen communal bonds.
Eid al-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice), considered to be “the Greater Eid”, marks the conclusion of the first ten days of the Islamic Month of Dhul-Hijjah, believed by Muslims to be the most virtuous days of the year. Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day and honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. But before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, Allah replaced him with a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, many Muslim households offer a sacrificial animal on Eid, the meat of which is divided among neighbors, friends and family, and less fortunate Muslims. Like Eid al-Fitr, many Muslims begin Eid al-Adha by attending a special congregational prayer followed by a short sermon and continue the celebration with visits to relatives and gift-giving.
