About Ramadan ☪ A Brief Overview
UPDATE: Ramadan 2016 began in the evening of Sunday, June 5 and ends in the evening of Tuesday, July 5.
Since Ramadan is tomorrow, I thought it’d be beneficial to make a post about Ramadan and why it’s practiced for one month out of the year by Muslims. Islam abides by the lunar calendar of 354 days and Ramadan falls on the ninth month. This year, it begins on June 18th, 2015 and will last until July 17th, 2015.
Fast (verb): To abstain from all food.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast for the entire month. No, it’s not literally not eating for a whole 29-30 days. It’s more like not eating for a whole 29-30 days while the sun’s up! We break our fast when the sun sets and eat a small meal before the sun rises. This means consuming absolutely nothing (not even water) in between sunrise and sunset. Smoking and sex is also condemned.
This will be my 9th year practicing Ramadan and I can honestly say it’s been nothing but a positive reinforcement in my life style. Ramadan isn’t even entirely about the spiritual or religious aspects which are so often focused on, it’s about:
- Practicing self control
- Purifying your body
- Revisiting the importance of patience
- Appreciating your family and friends
- Avoiding gossip/lying/cheating/stealing
- Knowing what it’s like to go all day without food (forming a bond with the poor)
- Being grateful for all that you have in life
- Identifying the difference between what you need/what you want
- Cleansing your mind, body and soul
At the end of the month, everyone comes together in their most clean and beautiful clothing for prayer and celebration. This holiday is know as Eid al-Fitr, also called Feast of Breaking the Fast. Ramadan is something that anyone can do, especially if you need a reminder about the importance of humility and self control. I hope every person who fasts this year becomes stronger after each day of fasting. Stay hydrated and be kind to one another.
