Also known as Ramadhan or Ramazan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar year which is celebrated from
beginning to end as holy - in fact, many regard it as the holiest time of the
Muslim year. The principle outward characteristic of Ramadan is that Muslims are
expected to fast all day, every day. Traditionally the times of fast are marked
as whenever a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread. Once those
threads can no longer told apart, eating is permitted.
Fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the Five Pillars, meaning it is one
of the five most basic beliefs/acts which a Muslim has to do. However, it's not
accurate to say that everyone simply goes without food or water - there are quite
a few rules which apply to it. For one thing, a Muslim must consciously formulate the
intention to fast as part of a rite. This is to prevent fasting from becoming an
empty symbol which people don't give much thought to. The full formulation reads:
"to fast tomorrow to acquit my duty towards God of fasting Ramadan this year."
ExemptionsThere are all sorts of ways in which a person can be legitimately be
exempted from fasting:
Young Children
People in poor health
Pregnant women
Nursing women
Menstruating women
Travelers, if the distance traveled is great
If one feeds thirty poor people each day
The status of children is actually mixed. The youngest are not expected to fast, but
as they get older they gradually begin fasting for more and more of the day until
they are able to go the entire day without food or water without endangering one's
health.
Although travelers and menstruating women can be exempted from fasting, they are
nevertheless expected to make up the same number of missed days some time
later in the year after Ramadan. Thus, they fast the same number of days as
everyone else, but not at the same time.
Feeding thirty poor people each day is a technical excuse for avoiding the fast which
everyone must observe, but it is rare for a rich person to actually use this exemption.
It would be looked up very, very badly by the rest of the community and the rich
person would probably lose much too much respect for it to be worthwhile.
ForbiddenThere are also a number of things which would not otherwise qualify as food,
but which are also prohibited:
Putting drops in the eyes
Saliva leaving the mouth and then reentering
Sex
Listening to music
Harsh words/arguments
The theological reason for abstaining from food, water and other things is to better
learn the nature of personal limitation. It is believed that knowledge cannot be
acquired unless a person can first learn his or her limits - then, and only then,
can the true nature of something become evident. Muslims also believe that
fasting during Ramadan allows a them to purify themselves through a kind of
sacrifice.
Because the Muslim calendar is lunar rather than solar, the month of Ramadan
moves through the year. Thus, sometimes if falls during the winter when the
days are shorter and fasting is easier but other times it falls during the summer
when the days are longer and fasting is more difficult.
After the sun sets, Muslims break their fast first with a small meal and then,
often, a larger meal later on in the evening. It is also common for Muslims to
take a meal early in the morning before dawn, a meal known as
suhur. There
are musicians and others who volunteer to walk through town to wake people for
this early meal.
Special DaysThere are a number of special days during the month of Ramadan which are considered special. They are:
Battle of Badr:
This was a key battle in the year 625 CE and which occurred on the 17th of Ramadan
Retaking of Mecca:
On the 19th of Ramadan in the year 630 CE it is believed that Muhammad manage
to return and retake the city of Mecca from his opponents.
Deaths:
A number of important deaths occurred during the month of Ramadan: Muhammad's
first wife, Khadija (10th) and both Ali and the eight Shiite Imam, Ali Reza (21st).
Births:
A number of important births also occurred during the month of Ramadan: Hussein (6th),
who was later martyred and Ali (22nd).
Laylat al-Qadr:
This literally means "the night of power," and is celebrated on one of the last
ten days during the month of Ramadan, but always on an odd numbered day.
Tradition holds that on this night, the prayers of a sincere and devout Muslim
are sure to be answered because it is believed to be the night when the Quran was
first revealed to Muhammad. Many Muslims also believe that, on this night, the
tree of Paradise is shaken and the names of all those who will die in the coming
year can be found on the fallen leaves.
Eid al Fitr:
On this day a large feast is celebrated on the breaking of the fast of Ramadan, and
is held on the first day of Shawwal, right after the month of Ramadan. Also called
"Eid," on this day many elaborate dishes are served at banquet-like gatherings.
Additionally, houses are decorated and gifts are exchanged.
OriginsIt is possible that the obligation to fast during Ramadan comes from early injunction
to fast on Ashura, the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which may have once
been identical with the Jewish observance of the Day of Atonement. This obligation,
however, was ended by the command to fast during Ramadan instead in the
Quran verse 2:184.
The derivation of the name Ramadan is in some dispute. Many believe that it comes
from the Arabic
ramad, which means scorching, and is thus a reference to
the idea that the fast "scorches" away human sins. Others argue that is simply
means "high summer" and has no reference to the act of fasting. During
pre-Islamic times the month of Ramadan was already widely celebrated as a month
when Arabic tribes observed a truce from all hostilities.
