This week marks the start of a holy, month-long observance for Muslim communities in South Africa and around the world. Muslims globally will be committing to a month of fasting.
Muslims around the world anticipate the holy month of Ramadan every year as the month marks a time of deep spirituality and an opportunity to better themselves.
During this month, worshippers will abstain from all forms of food and drink during the daylight hours, breaking their fast at sunset. They'll also engage in additional acts of worship, from giving more to charity to taking part in more prayers and reading of the holy book, the Qur’an.
The month of Ramadan is so much more than fasting and abstaining from food and drink.
For those who don’t know what goes on in Ramadan it’s the perfect opportunity to ask your Muslim friends and colleagues about their faith and spirituality.
Here’s a few questions you may think are “too obvious" or are too embarrassed to ask.
What is Ramadan and when does it start?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and it is considered the most important month for followers of the Islamic faith. During Ramadan, the holy Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims who observe the fast do so in order to deepen their personal worship of God and connect with their religion, as taught by the Holy Qur'an.
Islam adheres to the lunar calendar. This means that the month of Ramadan begins when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted.
This year, Ramadan is expected to start on Thursday 23 March and end on 21 April 2023 globally. However, the first day of Ramadan in South Africa will start on Friday 24 April 2023.
On 22 March, Crescent Observers, also called 'maan-kykers', went to sight the moon. The moon was not sighted which marked 24 March as the official first day of Ramadan.
Not even water?!
If there was one classic question among non-Muslims when speaking about Ramadan, it would be: “Not even water?!”
The age-old question is posed to Muslims without fail every year, to the extent that it has become a cliche on social media.
The answer is yes. Not even water. Or tea, or coffee, or any other form of liquid. From dawn to sunset, followers of the Islamic faith who are able to do so completely refrain from any form of eating or drinking.
They also abstain from smoking cigarettes, engaging in any sexual activity, and using bad language amongst others.
Does everyone have to fast?
During these weeks, Muslims are expected to fast if they are healthy and mentally able to do so.
However, exemptions are made for children and the elderly, and for women who are pregnant, menstruating or nursing, as well as people who are ill or travelling long journeys.
Although children under the age of 14 don’t need to fast, some do start participating at a younger age.
How else is Ramadan observed?
Ramadan begins with fasting, but it is also a gateway to so much more. It is a month of spiritual upliftment, revelation, gratitude, and reflection.
Many Muslims go to the mosque for the nightly prayers, where the Imam recites the Qur’an throughout the nights of Ramadan.
Throughout the holy month, Muslims are expected to engage in various charitable acts, one of which is the obligatory zakat al-fitr, which usually given the end of Ramadan but before the Eid prayer.
When does Ramadan end?
The month of Ramadan is 30 days, sometimes 29, depending on the next moon sighting. When the new moon of Shawwal (10th month) arrives it is Eid and it then marks the end of the holy month.
If you want to wish your Muslim friends well over the month of Ramadan the standard greetings are: Ramadan Kareem (which means "have a generous Ramadan) or Ramadan Mubarak (have a blessed Ramadan)
Even something as simple as learning one of those expressions and saying it with a smile to your Muslim friends will go a long way toward making them feel comfortable and welcome.
