What is Ramadan?

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam and occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast for the entire month from dawn to sunset each day. Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink and desires such as marital relations.

However, that is merely the physical component of the fast; the spiritual aspects of the fast include a greater emphasis on refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all traits of bad character.

When is Ramadan?

Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar; therefore, the month moves back approximately ten days every year. This year Ramadan starts on Thursday 23^rd March and will last for 29 or 30 days.

What is the purpose of fasting for the whole month?

In the Qur’an it says:

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may become righteous (pious)” – Qur’an (chapter 2 verse183)

A fasting person’s aim is to attain piety and righteousness in thought and action. The act of fasting redirects the hearts away from daily distractions to focus more on God – the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth.

The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, remembering God, endurance and self-discipline. It is a month of training, training the soul and body to be able to exercise self-restraint.

1. Ramadan is the month of giving in charity – lasting without food for a long period makes you think how fortunate you are. I know I will eat again when it is sunset, but there are millions of people out there who will go the day hungry.
2. Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an – the first time the verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by the Angel Gabriel were during Ramadan (over 1,400 years ago). Therefore, reading more of the Qur’an and reflecting on its verses are highly encouraged during this month.

What if you cannot fast?

Islam is a very flexible and tolerant religion. Fasting is prescribed for all Muslims who have reached the age of discernment. For those who cannot fast for legitimate reasons, the obligation of fasting is lifted depending on the reason. For the chronically ill, they are not allowed to fast and are to feed a poor person for every day in Ramadan and for other types of people they are to make up the fasts missed later when they are in good health.

Here are some tips on how you can support your Muslim colleagues during Ramadan:

• Say Ramadan Mubarak or Happy Ramadan to your colleague(s).
• Share a celebratory/supportive message on your newsletter or mention it is Ramadan before the start of a meeting.
• Join us during Ramadan to give more to charity and support those in need.
• Preferably arrange any office or team socials outside of this month (to include your Muslim colleagues).

What happens after Ramadan?

After the month of Ramadan has ended Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a day where Muslims can reward themselves for fasting for the entire month. There is a special Eid prayer that is performed with the community in the morning to thank and praise God, after which Muslims spend time with their relatives/friends and eat lots of food!

Although Ramadan and the month of fasting comes to an end, Muslims are encouraged to carry out supererogatory fasting throughout the year to maintain upright moral character and to achieve piety.

Useful links

What is Ramadan and when is it? – BBC News
How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated around the world? – BBC Bitesize
Ramadan Guide for Employers