5 Things You Must Know About Ramadan

Before starting, let me make it clear that I am not an Islamic scholar. This blog simply covers a few things that I feel everyone must know as general knowledge about Ramadan and fasting. Whether you have Muslim friends, colleagues, neighbours, or are simply curious, this one’s for you I have compiled a list of 5 things below, so here goes:

1. Ramadan is a Month in the Islamic Calendar

Just like the Gregorian calendar, there is an Islamic calendar which is based on the moon. Ramadan is the 9th of the 12 months in the Islamic calendar. It contains either 29 or 30 days. The reason for this variability is that it is a lunar calendar. If the moon is sighted on the 29th day, the following day is Eid ul-Fitr. If the moon cannot be seen, then there are 30 fasts and Eid comes after. Pretty poetic, if you think about it, an entire celebration hinging on the sighting of a crescent moon. So now you know the story behind the saying – “Eid ka chaand” 😜

2. Fasting is One of the Five Pillars of Islam

There are five pillars of Islam, one of which is fasting. This highlights the importance of Ramadan. Think of these five pillars as the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and daily life. The following are the five pillars –

• Shahadah – also known as ‘Imaan’. It is the belief in one God and the Messenger (peace be upon him)
• Salah – also known as ‘Namaz’. It is the prayer offered five times a day
• Zakāt – It is the practice of donating 2.5% of your wealth every year for the benefit of the needy
• Sawm (Siyam) – also known as ‘Roza’. It is the fasting observed in the month of Ramadan
• Hajj – It is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia

3. The Fast Runs from Dawn to Sunset

Participating Muslims wake up before dawn (‘Fajr’ prayer) to eat a meal called ‘Suhoor’ or ‘Sehari’. They break their fast at sunset (‘Maghrib’ prayer) with a meal called ‘Iftar’. The Iftar meal is often a joyous occasion shared with family and friends. If you have ever been invited to an Iftar, you will know there is nothing quite like it. The food, the warmth, the sense of togetherness is something else entirely.

4. Fasting isn’t Just About Hunger

Ramadan is not about simply staying hungry or thirsty. The message behind fasting is to practice patience, humility, and spirituality. Fasting helps every Muslim realize that no matter how wealthy they are, there are people in the world that are deprived of food and water every day. It is a deeply humbling experience that naturally inclines people towards helping the poor. In fact, charitable giving spikes significantly during Ramadan and that is not a coincidence.

5. The Quran was Revealed During Ramadan

Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This alone makes it the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. For Muslims around the world, this is not just a month of fasting, it is a month of reflection, prayer, and deep spiritual connection.

The beauty of Mecca during the month of Ramadan cannot be expressed in words. Many Muslims travel to Mecca specifically just for the month of Ramadan. This is a lesser form of Hajj known as ‘Umrah’. It is worth noting that Umrah can be performed throughout the year and not just during this month.

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone observing. And to everyone else – now you know! 😊