BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 in Four - Ramadan: what Islam's holiest month is about (2024)

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, observed by most of the world's 1.7 billion Muslims. This year will see a different Ramadan, as many Muslims fast, pray and reflect while lockdown eases across the UK. Some restrictions still in place about meeting indoors will mean a change to the way Muslims break their daily fasts with social gatherings.

With new innovations and social initiatives helping Muslims to face the challenges of observing Ramadan through different stages of lockdown and social distancing, we look at what exactly is Ramadan, who fasts and when, and why it falls at a different time each year. Here are all your Ramadan-related questions answered.

When is Ramadan?

Ramadan is always the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This religious calendar is based on the moon’s cycles and adds up to around 354 or 355 days rather than 365 days as with the Gregorian calendar. For this reason, the Islamic lunar calendar – and the start of Ramadan – moves backwards by roughly 11 days each year.

What are the origins of Ramadan?

Muslims believe that it was in the ninth month of the year 610 CE that God revealed the first verses of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad. This sacred event is now commemorated with a month specifically dedicated to extra worship.

How do Muslims worship during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, Muslims try to adhere to three types of worship – three of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.

The first is Sawm, which is fasting. For the entire month most Muslims abstain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset. The second is Zakat, which is charity – they are encouraged to give away 2.5% of their annual income during Ramadan. The third is Salat, which is praying. Muslims are encouraged to pray five times a day. Traditionally, many also attend additional communal prayers, known as Taraweeh, performed each evening. With lockdown being relaxed across the UK, this year there will be congregational acts of worship outside the home taking place in line with government guidance.

Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Qur’an during the month of Ramadan. It is a period of spiritual focus and deep contemplation.

Why do Muslims fast?

It is believed that the first fast took place in 624 CE when the Prophet Muhammad persuaded the residents of Medina to forgo their food in order to donate it to hungry worshipers following him from Mecca.

These days, the reasons for fasting are manifold. It is a considered a way to get closer to and more clearly focus on one’s relationship with God. It is a reminder of one’s reliance on God for sustenance and – through experiencing hunger and thirst – a way to feel more compassionate to those in need. Fasting is also seen as a way to learn discipline and patience and to break bad habits, and some also consider it a means to cleanse the body of impurities.

How and when does the fasting happen?

Practising Muslims fast from sun up to sundown. This means abstaining from food, liquids (including water), cigarettes and sexual activity during daylight hours – particularly challenging if Ramadan falls in the spring when the days are longer. It means waking up in the early hours of the morning to stock up on food and water at a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and going nil-by-mouth for as many as 16 hours. Once the sun has set, Muslims will traditionally break their fast with friends and family with a ceremonious meal known as iftar. This year during lockdown, iftar will have to be shared in innovative ways online through video calls to connect with those loved ones who live in different houses.

Does every Muslim fast?

Not every Muslim has to fast. There are special dispensations for young children, the elderly and anyone who is unwell, pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating.

What is Eid?

After the 30 days of Ramadan comes Eid al-Fitr. This big, three-day festival is when Muslims come together to end their period of fasting with a celebratory party. It traditionally means eating, drinking and exchanging presents with friends and family. However, this year as the lockdown rules are relaxed in stages, family and friends will often have to stay connected online and gather outside in accordance to the latest rules.

How can I support a friend or colleague who is fasting?

Traditionally, most Muslims will continue to work and if schools are open, attend classes during Ramadan, despite not being able to eat or drink for hours on end. If you work with or live near someone who is fasting, here are some ways in which you can actively show your support:

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• Be patient: if a friend or colleague is irritable from lack of sleep, food and water don’t take it personally.

• If you are not working from home at the moment and are based in a working environment with Muslim colleagues, think twice before eating your lunch in front of your colleagues, and restrain from bringing biscuits or other snacks into the workplace.

• If you manage someone at work who is observing Ramadan you might be able to help by offering flexible working hours that fit better with their altered eating and sleeping schedules.

• Be mindful of prayer times: your friend or work colleague may not be able to have a video meeting or meet you for a walk outside at certain times of the day if they are praying or don't have the energy to exercise.

• Remember that posting photos on social media of your latest culinary creation or messaging about food may be difficult for fasting Muslims to see.

• Don’t ask a Muslim person why they aren’t eating or if they are hungry! But you can wish them a blessed and happy Ramadan by saying Ramadan Mubarak.