Ramadan 2022: How Muslims observe holiest month in Islamic calendar

Here’s what you have to find out about its significance, how Muslims observe the month and the way non-Muslims can want their associates and neighbors “Ramadan Mubarak.”

What’s Ramadan, and why is it vital?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is marked by fasting, reflection, charity and prayer.

It’s believed that the primary verses of Islam’s holy scripture, the Quran, had been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad throughout this time.

Is Ramadan the identical time every year?

Ramadan relies on the lunar calendar, which consists of a 12-month yr of roughly 354 days. This implies every lunar month strikes 11 days within the Gregorian calendar noticed by the USA.

How do Muslims have fun Ramadan?

The greater than 2 billion observant Muslims world wide will interact in fasting from meals, drink and sexual activity between daybreak and sundown every day of the month, stated Hussam Ayloush, the chief director of the Larger Los Angeles Space workplace of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Fasting is compulsory for Muslims, apart from the sick, pregnant, touring, aged and/or menstruating, in line with Nationwide Geographic.

These fasting durations can vary from 11 to 16 hours per day. Earlier than fasting every day, Muslims will start with a pre-dawn meal referred to as suhur, after which start the fajr, the primary prayer of the day, in line with NatGeo. At nightfall, after ending the sundown prayer, or Maghreb, Muslims have fun with the meal referred to as the iftar. This implies “breaking the quick,” and the meal is usually shared with household and associates.

This ritual of every day fasting provides Muslims a interval of non secular reflection, Ayloush stated.

“Being with out food and drinks all through the day hopefully builds in us a type of empathy the place we really feel very grateful for the blessing we obtain from God … and the way in which to point out thankfulness can also be by being empathetic who’ve much less of those privileges,” he stated.

Muslims will even keep away from detrimental acts like gossiping, mendacity and arguing through the month.

How do Muslims give charity throughout Ramadan?

Charity is a vital observe in Islam. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims will typically maintain meals drives or fundraisers to assist the much less lucky.

What different rituals do Muslims carry out throughout Ramadan?

Many Muslims will carry out an additional prayer at evening throughout Ramadan referred to as taraweeh. They will even have fun Laylat al-Qadr later within the month, which is the day many consider the Quran was first revealed.

How can non-Muslims greet their Muslim associates and neighbors throughout Ramadan?

Non-Muslims can want Muslims “Ramadan Mubarak,” which suggests “have a blessed Ramadan,” Ayloush stated.

“They’ll say, ‘Completely happy Ramadan,’ ‘Joyful Ramadan.’ Something you may say can be drastically appreciated by your neighbors,” he added.

When Ramadan is completed, Muslims will have fun Eid al-Fitr, or the “Pageant of the Breaking of the Quick.” Throughout this celebration, youngsters obtain presents from household and associates. Muslims might also recite a particular prayer through the morning of Eid, adopted by a neighborhood celebration with meals and video games.