What is it? Ramadan

Ramadan is approaching soon and it is the most important month on the calendar for Muslims. Ramadan this year is expected to start on April 2, and is predicted to end on May 2, although this may change depending on the sighting of the moon in Mecca. 

Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar cycle, meaning Ramadan starts 11 days earlier each year. 

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims as it is believed that the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) by Allah. “Allah” is the Arabic word for “God.” 

Ramadan is a time for Muslims to reflect, fast, pray, and be the best possible version of themselves. 

During this month, Muslims do several things to become the best possible version of themselves. 

Muslims actively practice four out of the five pillars of Islam. 

One pillar is fasting. Muslims fast by eating food and drinking water at sunrise which is also known as “suhoor” and then breaking their fast at sunset which is known as “iftar” time. 

Throughout the day Muslims are not allowed to eat anything, or even drink water, through the duration of their fast which lasts around 10-16 hours. 

Not everyone is expected to fast during the month of Ramadan, as children who have not yet reached puberty, the elderly, the sick, and pregnant women are exempt from the fasting during the month. 

The act of fasting is meant to humble Muslims and remind them of people less fortunate than them. It serves as a reminder to be thankful for everything that they have been given. 

Another practice that Muslims do during the month of Ramadan is give to charity, which is another pillar of Islam known as “Zakah.” Giving back to your community is very important in Islam as it is believed that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to give a lot of charity to his community and established it as one of the fundamental beliefs of Islam. 

Muslims also stick to their prayers and do their best to pray all five times a day, also known as “Salah” which is another pillar of Islam. As Muslims are required to pray five times a day every day before sunrise (Fajr), early afternoon (Zuhoor), late afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and at night (Isha). 

The last pillar of Islam that Muslims practice during the month of Ramadan is (Shahadah) which is having faith in Allah (Swt). During Ramadan having faith is very important, as in this holy month spirituality and self-reflection while praying, fasting, and donating is valued. 

Ramadan is a very spiritual experience and a humbling experience for Muslims around the world. Muslims around campus and our communities will be joining more than one billion people worldwide in this spiritual experience.