Ramadan is the time of the year for Muslims when they don’t eat and drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting.
During Ramadan, fasting between dawn and sunset is important because it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their own faith and to get closer to Allah. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection on oneself along with praying and doing good deeds in society. Spending time with your family and friends is also very important during this time of the month to ensure the spiritual connection you feel. Muslims make more of an effort to connect with their communities and reach out to anybody who is in need of help,
Getting to know why Muslims fast during Ramadan is a knowledge not everybody has. It is one of the five pillars of Islam which is the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The pillars of Islam are categorized by faith, prayer, charity, and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
There are two meals that Muslims eat during Ramadan where it is common to have a meal before dawn and then directly after sunset. The meal before dawn is known as the suhoor, and the meal directly after sunset is called iftar.
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate a special festival to mark the end of Ramadan. The festival is called Eid al-Fitr which means the Festival of Breaking Fast. The festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is shown in the sky. Muslims thank Allah for the help and strength in going through Ramadan. During the end of Ramadan, children are given presents and new clothes.
When is Ramadan celebrated?
The Islamic calendar is based solely on the lunar cycle. This means that the beginning of each new month starts on the new moon. This ties back to how when Ramadan ended and the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast started, it began once the sight of the new moon was seen. Ramadan starts in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. However, because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the specific dates for Ramadan can vary from year to year.
Ramadan has already started this year. It began on Saturday, April 2nd, and will end on May 2nd, 2022.
Do all Muslims fast during Ramadan?
Certain groups are exempted from fasting during Ramadan. These groups include children who haven’t matured or reached puberty yet, the elderly, those who are mentally and physically incapable of fasting, mothers who are pregnant, and people who travel around the world.
Another way people celebrate Ramadan is called moonsighting. It’s a tradition where people go out to scenic vista points to look for the moon. It is said to be a good way to connect with the heavens, and nature, and to go outside with oneself.
