By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle
Ramadan commences when the full moon is spotted on March 22, 2023, initiating the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which will send 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide into fasting.
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, worship and prayer. The month honours the time when Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, to Muhammad.
During the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, healthy adult Muslims fast during daylight hours. This fast includes abstaining from all food and drink, and sexual activity.
This is a very spiritual time, Muslims renew their awareness and gratitude of everything Allah has provided in their lives, and through the sharing of hunger and thirst it is a reminder of the religious duty to help the less fortunate.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the central tenets and core beliefs of Islam.
The five pillars are: profession of faith in Allah as the only God and Muhammad as the messenger of God. Praying five times a day. Charity, usually about 2.5 per cent of one’s wealth to community members in need. Fasting during Ramadan. And at least once in a lifetime pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
A day of fasting looks as follows: There is a light meal eaten before sunrise called Suhoor although it is not essential.
After eating Suhoor, an individual must have the Niyyah (intention) to fast the entire day, reaffirming it by saying “I intend to observe my fast for today”.
Then after sundown, the fast is broken with Iftar, a large communal meal usually eaten with family or community members. Breaking your fast should begin with either dates or water.
During the day, eating or drinking, smoking, taking medicine, engaging in sexual activities, are all things that break your fast and are therefore not allowed.
If you want to wish someone a happy Ramadan, you can say Ramadan Mubarak, which means “Happy Ramadan”.
