
What is Allowed and Not Allowed during Ramadan? The month is therefore meant to commemorate the first revelation which was sent down on Laylat al-Qadr popularly known as (The Night of Power) Muslims break their fasting by sharing meals with family and friends in a three-day festival known as Eid al-Fitr or the Feast of Fast-Breaking.Īccording to the Islamic belief, the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the Holy Month of Ramadan as he meditated in a cavern outside the Holy city of Mecca. Normally, the sighting of the crescent moon marks the end of the Holy Month. They are also instructed to avoid evil thoughts and sinful behavior such as cursing, lying and fighting except in self-defense. During this holiday, Muslims are not supposed to eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset given that fasting is one of the five pillars of Islamic principles. The Ramadan meaning in Arabic is ‘Scorching heat’ possibly because the holiday falls in a time when the temperatures are quite high in that part of the world. Ali died two days later,” it added.Ramadan, also referred as the Fasting month, is observed by Muslims worldwide in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar year. On the 19th day of the month of Ramadan, while Ali was worshipping at a mosque in Kufa, Iraq, an assassin from a group of rebels who opposed his leadership fatally struck him with a poisoned sword.

“Ali was assassinated in the fierce civil wars that erupted following the death of Muhammad over who should lead the Muslim community in his stead. For three days - the 19th, 20th, and 21st days of Ramadan - Shia commemorate the martyrdom of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad who was both the revered fourth caliph of Sunni Islam and the first "legitimate" imam (leader) of Shia Islam,” the Vox report said. “Shia also celebrate an additional holiday within the month of Ramadan that Sunnis do not. Shias however, wait until even the twighlight from the setting sun has disappeared completely, leaving a dark sky, according to Vox. Sunnis generally break their fast at sunset, when the sun itself is no longer visible in the horizon. While the observance of Ramadan remains the same for Sunni and Shia Muslims, there is a slight difference in the timing of breaking the fast. Several people go to the mosque before breaking their fast. In several Muslim dominated countries however, businesses and schools may reduce their hours during the day or remain shut entirely.Īfter the evening prayer, Muslims break their fast with the “Iftar” meal, mostly with their families. Muslims are expected to continue with their normal routine during Ramadan and not use fasting as an excuse to skip work. However, children and people who are ill, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetics or women on their period, are pardoned from fasting. The meal before dawn is called sufur and after sunset is iftar. Generally, after eating, many Muslims go back to sleep. It is advisable to eat high-protein food to keep going throughout the day. During Ramadan, Muslims wake up before sunrise for morning prayers and eat before fasting begins for the day.

Muslims are required to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as sex from sunrise to sunset. In Islam, fasting is viewed as a cleansing of soul and having control over oneself. Due to this, the Islamic lunar calendar moves backward exactly 11 days every year with regards to the widely used Gregorian calendar. The calendar is based on the phases of the moon - whose 12 months are approximately 354 days, according to Vox. Muslims follow the lunar calendar for religious purposes. The month typically lasts about 29 to 30 days based on the moon. Observing Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam - faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca. Ramadan is considered very sacred by Muslims as they believe it was during this month Allah revealed the first verses of the Koran to Prophet Muhammad. The end of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar culminates on “Eid al-Fitr,” which is marked with a big feast, exchanging of gifts and celebrations. Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, will end June 24 evening.

Sunni Muslims attend prayers at a mosque, during Eid al-Fitr as they mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, in Baghdad, Iraq, July 6, 2016.
