Ramadan
Ninth Month of Islamic Calendar/Starts around August 24, 2009, depending on the crescent moon
Ask most people in the United States about Ramadan and you probably won't learn much except that the average person knows very little about this Islamic observance. For most in the West, Ramadan is an exotic, foreign event shrouded in mystery. True, the nuisances of this month of worship may be difficult to understand for those from a low context society with a more analytical and less philosophical approach to celebration, but with a little research in to the world of Islam, understanding Ramadan is easier and less mysterious than you'd think.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and occurs on different dates each year due to the nature of the lunar year. The Islamic calendar consists of twelve months, with the start of each beginning with the first sighting of the new crescent moon and ending 29.53059 days later. For this reason (needing to see the new crescent moon with the human eye) it is never known for sure on what date Ramadan will occur since weather can affect visibility. Science can calculate the exact date the new crescent moon appears but Muslims prefer to leave this determination to the naked eye so as to allow all Muslims (scientifically skilled or not) an opportunity to participate in Ramadan for themselves. Rather than a firm date, Ramadan is usually predicted to start on a given date and is subject to change.
In addition to having an unpredictable beginning date, Ramadan shifts each year because it is a lunar holiday. The lunar year is shorter than the solar year (Gregorian calendar) by about 11-12 days, having typically 354 days instead of 365. To those in most Western societies who use a Gregorian calendar, holidays calculated on a lunar calendar such as Ramadan shift about 11 days earlier each year. As time goes by, Ramadan eventually migrates through each season and occurs on the same day every 33 years.
The entire month of Ramadan is a holy month of fasting for all adult Muslims. Ramadan is significant for those of Islamic faith because they believe it was during this month that the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, a man who could neither read nor write. At the age of 40, in the year 610 C.E., Muhammad received his first messages from God. It is said that while spending time in his favorite meditation spot one evening on Mount Hira, the angel Gabriel contacted Muhammad and commanded him to recite a verse. This was the beginning a 23 year time period where verses where sent down to Muhammad via Gabriel, the collection of which are known as the Quran.
The Quran is considered by Muslims to be the literal word of God. The word for God in Arabic is Allah and refers to the entity known by both Islam and Christianity to be the creator of the universe and one true God. In addition to God, Muslims believe in angels, in prophets (starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus), in the messages sent by God to prove his existence and create books to guide mankind (Muslims believe in the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and the Quran), in Judgment Day, and in Divine Predestination but with the freewill to choose between right and wrong. In the line of messengers for God, Muhammad is considered by Muslims to be the last and most perfect of the prophets. While they believe in the Torah (Tawrat), Psalms (Zabur), and Gospel (Injil) holy books, they feel these scriptures were altered over time and maintain the Quran is the only book still in its original form, with its messages intact the way God intended. Muslims see Muhammad as the restorer of the original monotheism of Adam and Abraham and explain that the Quran does not create a new religion but rather clarifies that initial faith.
The anniversary of the first night of revelation for Muhammad is referred to as Laylat al-Qadr, which has multiple translations, some being "the Night of Power," "the Night of Power and Revelation," "Night of Determination," "the Night of Almightiness," or "the Night of Majesty." This night is said to occur some time in the last 10 days of Ramadan on one of the odd numbered nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th), with the most likely night of occurrence being the 27th according to Sunni beliefs and the 23rd for Shi'as. Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of all the holy nights in Ramadan, as well the holiest in the whole year. The Quran describes the special night as one "which is better than a thousand months, in which the angels descend to earth with God, the Almighty's permission. Peaceful the night is until dawn." (Sura 97) The Quran also states that Laylat al-Qadr is the night when God determines the course of the world for the next year. Some of the signs of Laylat al-Qadr (according to oral translations, hadith, concerning the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad) are that the sun rises early in the morning without rays, the night is not overly hot or cold but is pleasant, the sun is red the next morning when rising, and the night is bright and without the presence of meteors.
The anniversary of many other important events recognized by Muslims also occur in this month, including the Torah being revealed to Moses, the Bible being revealed to Jesus, and the fighting of the legendary Battle of Badr in 624 C.E. where Medina Muslims won a great victory over Mecca Quraysh (pagan tribe). Lead by Muhammad, a disciplined group of Muslims won a battle against a larger Quraysh army, signifying to other tribes that the possibility of defeating the pagans ruling Mecca (one of the most powerful cities in Arabia) did exist. The victory also increased Muhammad's leadership authority and lead to the spread of Islam as local Arab tribes began to convert and align against the Quraysh in Mecca. The anniversary of the Battle of Badr occurs on the seventeenth of Ramadan.
Each day of Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours, from dawn to sunset. This means no food or drink during this time period, although when Ramadan falls during the summer season with its long, hot periods of sunlight, Muslims are allowed to hold water in their mouths (without swallowing) for a few seconds during the day. Some are exempt from fasting, while others are allowed to postpone their month of day-time starvation. Children who have not reached puberty or those not considered "adult" (such as the mentally handicapped or insane) are not required to fast. Those whose health might be negatively affected if they participated in the many days of fasting (ill, pregnant, nursing, menstruating) and travelers do not have to participate but should "make up" the missed days of the fast at a later time. Muslims are also expected to refrain from sex and any intoxicating substances during daylight in Ramadan. For Muslims, committing what would normally amount to a sin or things considered contrary to the Islamic faith are deemed much more offensive and doubly bad during Ramadan.
Fasting (during Ramadan) is one of The 5 Pillars of the Islamic faith dictated by the Quran (Testimony of Faith, prayer, Zakat/support of the needy, and Pilgrimage to Mecca are the other four). The purpose of the fast is for believers to focus on clarity of heart and mind and forget that which is trivial, display self discipline, understand the suffering of others, develop "taqwa" (knowing God is always watching you), show sincere devotion and "cultivate piety." Among other things, it is believed that fasting during Ramadan will allow one entry in to the gate of Paradise (ar-Rayyaan) on resurrection day, protect the participant from Hell, and result in the forgiving of past sins and granting of prayers. But the fasting during Ramadan must only be performed as a ritual of worship and not for dietary, medical, or other purposes. If one does not have the right intention (Niyyah) then they won't achieve the virtues of fasting during Ramadan. After sundown, Muslims break their fast with a prayer and meal (iftar), and then usually gather with family and friends. They typically have another pre-sunrise meal (suhoor) and then resume the fast at dawn.
One of the customs of Ramadan is the saying of Taraweeh prayers every evening. Traditionally, one thirtieth of the Quran is read each night so by the end of the month the entire book has been recited. During the last 10 days of Ramadan it is common for people to retreat to the Mosque (Itikaf), where they remain day and night to pray and engage in self-reflection. All throughout the month, Muslims focus on giving and peace by participating in charitable activities and donating to the less fortunate.
Ramadan is a very special month for Muslims but the real party begins when Ramadan in over. On the day after Ramadan (the first day of the month of Shawwal) a three day long celebration called Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Fast-Breaking) begins. Eid al-Fitr, known also as simply Eid, begins each morning with a prayer. People then gather with family and friends and exchange gifts. In Muslim countries Eid is considered an official government holiday.
Gifts can also be given throughout the month of Ramadan. Muslims are very appreciative of those who recognize their traditions and customs by respecting Ramadan or making the gesture of a gift. The giving of dates after sunset would receive a warm reception by most Muslims.
