Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset. Ramadan commemorates the month when the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad and is considered the holiest month in Islam. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Biblical and Quranic Foundation

Command to Fast

Quran 2:183-185:

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous… The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.”

Purpose of Fasting

• Taqwa (God-consciousness/righteousness)
• Gratitude for the Quran’s revelation
• Self-discipline and spiritual purification
• Empathy for the hungry and poor
• Drawing closer to Allah

Historical Significance

First Revelation

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power):

• The night the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad
• Occurred during Ramadan (traditionally the 27th night, though exact date uncertain)
• “Better than a thousand months” (Quran 97:3)
• Angels descend, peace reigns until dawn
• Most important night of the Islamic year

Initial Revelation:

• Angel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared to Muhammad in Cave Hira
• Commanded: “Read! (or Recite!)” (Iqra)
• First verses revealed: Quran 96:1-5
• Began Muhammad’s prophetic mission

Institution of Fasting

• Fasting prescribed in 2 AH (after Hijra), around 624 CE
• Initially, fasting the day of Ashura (10th Muharram) was obligatory
• Later, Ramadan fasting became obligatory; Ashura became voluntary
• Modified over time (initially could eat after sleeping, later could eat until dawn)

The Fast (Sawm)

Requirements

Who must fast?

• Adult Muslims (post-puberty)
• Mentally and physically capable
• Not traveling
• Not menstruating, pregnant, or nursing (women)
• Not ill

Exemptions:

• Elderly, chronically ill: Feed poor person for each day missed (fidyah)
• Temporarily ill, traveling, menstruating, pregnant/nursing: Make up days later
• Children not required (though often participate partially)

What is Prohibited

From dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib):

• Food and drink (including water)
• Smoking
• Sexual relations
• Intentional vomiting
• Taking medicine orally (some scholars allow necessary medications)

Spiritual prohibitions (always, intensified during Ramadan):

• Lying, gossip, slander
• Anger, quarreling
• Lustful thoughts
• Anything that corrupts the fast’s spiritual benefit

The Daily Rhythm

Suhoor (Pre-dawn meal):

• Eaten before Fajr prayer
• Muhammad encouraged: “Take Suhoor, for there is blessing in it”
• Can be simple (dates and water) or elaborate
• Ends when Fajr (dawn) begins

Iftar (Breaking the fast):

• At sunset (Maghrib prayer time)
• Traditionally begins with dates and water (following Muhammad’s practice)
• Often communal meals with family, friends, mosque
• Joyful occasion, but not gluttonous

Taraweeh (Night prayers):

• Extra prayers performed after Isha (night prayer)
• Typically recite entire Quran over Ramadan’s 30 nights
• Performed in congregation at mosques
• Can be 8, 20, or more rak’ahs (units of prayer)

Spiritual Practices

Increased Worship

Ramadan is month of intensified devotion:

• Quran recitation: Many Muslims complete reading entire Quran
• Prayers: Five daily prayers plus Taraweeh
• Du’a (supplication): Personal prayers throughout day
• Dhikr (remembrance): Repeating Allah’s names
• I’tikaf: Seclusion in mosque (especially last ten days)

Last Ten Nights

Seeking Laylat al-Qadr:

• Exact night unknown (blessings if sought with sincerity)
• Traditionally odd-numbered nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th)
• Many Muslims spend entire night in prayer
• Mosques packed, Quran recited
• Supplication: “O Allah, You are forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me”

Charity (Zakat)

Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana):

• Obligatory charity given before Eid prayer
• Amount: Approximately one meal’s worth of staple food per person
• Purifies the fast from idle talk and indecency
• Ensures poor can celebrate Eid

General charity:

• Rewards multiplied in Ramadan
• Many fulfill annual Zakat obligation
• Mosques, charities receive increased donations

Community Aspects

Social Dimension

Iftars:

• Communal breaking of fast
• Mosques provide free meals
• Families host friends and neighbors
• Builds community solidarity

Mosque attendance:

• Dramatic increase during Ramadan
• Taraweeh prayers bring community together
• Even less observant Muslims often attend

Family time:

• Families eat Suhoor and Iftar together
• Shared spiritual experience
• Teaching children about faith

Economic Impact

Increased spending:

• Despite fasting, food consumption often increases (large Iftars)
• Shopping for Eid preparations
• Charity donations surge

Work schedules:

• Many Muslim countries reduce work hours
• Shops/restaurants close during day, open at night
• Productivity debates

Eid al-Fitr

The Celebration

Three days following Ramadan’s end:

• “Festival of Breaking the Fast”
• Begins when new moon sighted (month of Shawwal)
• Special Eid prayer in congregation
• No fasting on Eid (actually prohibited)

Customs:

• New clothes
• Gifts to children
• Visiting family and friends
• Special foods and sweets
• Gratitude for completing Ramadan

Global Observance

Variations by Culture

Middle East:

• Cannon fire or public announcements signal Iftar
• Streets decorated with lights and crescents
• Traditional foods: dates, apricot juice, kunafa

South Asia:

• Elaborate Iftars with regional dishes
• Iftari culture in Pakistan (roadside stalls)
• Large congregational prayers

Southeast Asia:

• Pasar Ramadan (Ramadan markets) in Malaysia/Indonesia
• Unique regional foods
• Community emphasis

Western Muslims:

• Navigating longer summer days (northern latitudes)
• Ramadan at work/school challenges
• Growing visibility and awareness

Timing Challenges

Lunar calendar:

• Islamic calendar is lunar (354-355 days)
• Ramadan shifts ~11 days earlier each year
• Cycles through all seasons over 33 years

Geographic variations:

• Summer Ramadan: Long fasting hours (18+ hours in northern latitudes)
• Winter Ramadan: Shorter fasting hours (8-10 hours)
• Extreme latitudes: Follow nearest Muslim country or Mecca time

Moon sighting:

• Traditional: Physical sighting of crescent moon
• Modern: Astronomical calculations
• Leads to regional variations in start/end dates

Health Considerations

Benefits

Studies suggest Ramadan fasting can:

• Improve metabolic health
• Promote weight loss
• Increase insulin sensitivity
• Enhance mental clarity (after adjustment period)

Challenges

• Dehydration (especially in hot climates)
• Headaches (especially first few days)
• Fatigue from sleep deprivation (late Suhoor, Taraweeh prayers)
• Blood sugar fluctuations
• Need medical consultation for diabetics, pregnant women

Theological Significance

Self-Discipline

Training the soul:

• Controlling appetites
• Resisting temptation
• Strengthening willpower
• “If you can abstain from lawful things (food, drink), you can abstain from unlawful things”

Equality

Common experience:

• Rich and poor fast alike
• King and servant equal before Allah
• Shared hunger breeds empathy

Gratitude

Appreciation for blessings:

• Recognizing food as gift, not right
• Gratitude for health, sustenance
• Awareness of those in perpetual hunger

God-Consciousness (Taqwa)

Ultimate purpose:

• Awareness of Allah’s presence
• Accountability even when alone
• Developing piety and righteousness
• “That you may become righteous” (Quran 2:183)

Ramadan in Islamic History

Battle of Badr (624 CE):

• Occurred during Ramadan
• Muslims’ first major victory
• Despite fasting, they prevailed

Conquest of Mecca (630 CE):

• Muhammad entered Mecca during Ramadan
• Peaceful conquest of the holy city

Battle of Ain Jalut (1260 CE):

• Mamluks defeated Mongols during Ramadan
• Saved Islamic civilization from Mongol advance

Various conquests and victories:

• Ramadan seen as blessed month for success
• Spiritual strength translates to worldly victory

Contemporary Issues

Ramadan and Work

• Requesting time off for Taraweeh, Eid
• Productivity during fasting
• Employer accommodations
• Halal food availability for Iftar

Social Media

• “#Ramadan” trends globally
• Online Islamic content surges
• Virtual Iftar gatherings (especially during COVID-19)
• Apps for prayer times, Quran recitation

Commercialization

• Ramadan becoming commercialized (like Christmas)
• “Ramadan sales,” advertising
• Tension between spirituality and consumerism
• TV specials, entertainment

Significance

Ramadan embodies Islam’s holistic nature:

• Physical discipline (fasting)
• Spiritual devotion (prayer, Quran)
• Social responsibility (charity, community)
• Moral improvement (character refinement)

For Muslims, Ramadan is:

• Annual spiritual boot camp
• Reset button for faith
• School of taqwa (God-consciousness)
• Glimpse of Paradise (breaking fast) and struggle (hunger, thirst)
• Collective worship uniting 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide

The sight of Muslims from Indonesia to Morocco, from Nigeria to Kazakhstan, all fasting simultaneously—refusing food and drink not from scarcity but from devotion—testifies to Islam’s global unity and submission to Allah’s command. When the call to Maghrib prayer sounds and billions break their fast together, it’s a powerful demonstration of shared faith across cultures, languages, and nations.

Ramadan transforms the mundane act of eating into worship—by abstaining, then eating with gratitude. It makes everyday hunger a reminder of Allah, every sip of water a blessing, every Iftar a celebration. For one month each year, Muslims experience what the Quran describes as “better than a thousand months”—if Laylat al-Qadr is sought with sincerity and devotion.