Rabat – The month of Ramadan holds special meaning to Muslims around the globe as they seek to become better versions of themselves and reconnect with their religion. With the month approaching, here are ten pieces of information that will give you an overview of Ramadan and its spiritual meaning.
1. What is Ramadan?
Ramadan refers to the ninth month of the twelve-month Islamic calendar. Every year, Muslims long for the holy month marked with fasting, prayer, and self-reflection.
Fasting is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam along with the shahada – declaration of faith-, prayer, zakat – obligatory charity-, and hajj – pilgrimage.
Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking as well as fight temptation from dawn to sunset. The duration of the fast varies based on location and season.
After sunset, they break their fast (iftar in Arabic or ftor in Moroccan dialect) with family and friends usually with dates and delicious meals. Then they prepare for suhoor, the meal that is taken before fajr – first prayer or dawn.
2. When is Ramadan?
Moroccan astronomers confirmed that the holy month of Ramadan will start on Sunday, April 3.
Read Also: 4 Tips For Healthy Fasting Ahead of Ramadan
The Ramadan announcement is based on moon watching and astronomical calculations. Once a crescent moon is sighted, the start of Ramadan is officially announced. Usually, there is a one-day difference between Morocco and Gulf countries and Morocco and Europe and Northern America.
3. Why do Muslims fast?
As a pillar of Islam, Muslims should fast during Ramadan. Yet it is not seen as an obligation or punishment, but more as an opportunity to redeem old sins and reflect on oneself. Throughout the month, the followers of Islam try to do more positive deeds, pray on time, conduct additional prayers, and read the Quran– Islam’s Holy Book.
The objective is to reconnect with one’s religion as daily life distracts many faithful followers from the principles and values of Islam. Through individual changes, society works as a whole to support the needy and reinforce values of solidarity.
Fasting also enables Muslims to feel the suffering of the poor, yet there are specific cases when the Muslim is exempted or not allowed to fast.
Pregnant women, weak elderly people, and children are exempted from fasting. Girls and women menstruating do not fast nor pray and have to pay their debt after the end of the month.
Travelers can choose to not fast if they are traveling for a long distance but have to fast additional days after the end of the month to pay off their spiritual debt.
4. Breaking Fast
Breaking the fast is the favorite part of Ramadan for many Muslims as women usually prepare festive ftors.
In Morocco, people break the fast with dates following the sunnah or actions of the Prophet then eat a warm soup, usually Harira, with cakes, baghrir – Moroccan pancake–, harcha, chbakiya – honey and flour snack–, tajine, grilled fish, among other dishes.
Read Also: 3 Special Recipes for an Authentic Moroccan Breakfast
While breaking the fast, the family gathers around the table and most of the time watch tv series produced especially for the Ramadan period. They are mostly family-friendly series.
In the past few years, Moroccans have gradually stopped watching Moroccan productions, criticizing the shows’ low production quality and poor plot and acting.
5. Taraweeh
After breaking the fast, Muslims go to the mosque for the Taraweeh and the Ishaa –the last of the five daily prayers.
The length of the Taraweeh varies from a minimum of two rakats to a maximum of 20 rakats.
Muslims believe that the taraweeh count as additional deeds based on a saying of the Prophet Mohammed, “Whoever stands for prayer (the night prayer) during Ramadan with iman (faith), hoping for rewards, then all his/her previous sins will be forgiven.” The credibility of the saying was checked and approved by renowned Islamic scholars Bukhari and Muslim.
Taraweeh can be prayed alone, at home, or with family and friends, as well as in small or big groups at the mosques.
6. Laylat Al-Qadr
Laylat Al-Qadr commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Mohammed through the angel Gabriel. While the exact date is unknown, scholars believe that it took place in the last 10 nights of Ramadan in 610 CE.
Sunnis celebrate it on the night of the 27th day while Shi’ites commemorate it on the 23rd night of Ramadan.
Additionally, Muslims believe that angels descend to earth during laylat al-qadr, making it a night of divine guidance, blessings, and peace. Some followers spend the night praying in mosques until dawn.
7. Last Days of Ramadan
Towards the end of the month, Muslims tend to dedicate more time to prayer and good deeds to benefit the most from Ramadan. The last day of the month brings joy and sadness to the faithful as Eid – the day of celebration- is approaching but the end of the holy month is coming.
Moroccans also buy and store food before Eid, since most shops are closed as everyone prioritizes family reunions over work.
8. Eid El Fitr
After the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, the first day of returning to a normal eating schedule. They hold festive family lunches and dinners together, to catch up and share moments of joy.
Parents also buy new clothes and gifts for their children prior to Eid. Adults tend to give children money on the occasion. Also, adults give charity as a continuation of the Ramadan spirit of supporting the needy.
9. Health Benefits of Ramadan
As Ramadan comes to an end, its health benefits last on the body of the fasting person. Scientists have found that fasting can have a tremendously positive impact on health, according to the Cleveland Clinic Abud Dhabi.
The research concluded that fasting can regulate cholesterol levels by reducing blood cholesterol, lowering the chances of heart attacks and other diseases.
Additionally, fasting “supercharges” the brain and cleanses the body from harmful toxins. Studies show that fasting can improve mood, learning, capacity, and memory as well as reduce fat reserves.
Thus, Ramadan can be a good start to adopting a balanced and healthier lifestyle.
10. Psychological Benefits of Ramadan
As fasting cleans the body, it simultaneously purifies the soul. It enables the Muslim to not only get closer to God but also to practice self-control and self-discipline against different forms of desire that might be linked to unhealthy habits such as smoking.
Fasting further brings peace and serenity to the person. While hunger might be hard to manage on some occasions, it does not stop Muslims from carrying out their regular daily tasks.
As a result, Ramadan unleashes the potential of the human psyche in the middle of what is perceived by some non-Muslims as an impossible task, fasting.
