Risalah Ramadhan edisi 4

Ramadan 2020: Why is it so
important for Muslims?

The Muslim holy month is upon us
once again, this year with many
Muslim-majority nations under

coronavirus lockdown.

What is Ramadan?

• Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar
calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast in Ramadan
from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining
from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger.
Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the
Quran and charity are also encouraged during the
holy month.

• Muslims also believe the Quran was revealed in
Ramadan.

• During the holy month, Muslims wake up early to
eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they
break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.

When does Ramadan begin?

• It is common for mosques to host large iftars,
especially for the poor and needy. Nightly
prayers called Tarawih are also held in
mosques after iftar.

• Different cultures have different traditions
during Ramadan, whether it is a special food
they must cook, or eating iftar with the
extended family. Islamic tenets such as
generosity inspired most of these traditions,
including sharing food and inviting guests over
for iftar.

• However, this year Ramadan will most certainly
be a less festive time, amid the coronavirus
pandemic as all nations, including Muslims ones,
take precautions to curb the spread of the virus
by banning or limiting social gatherings, and
closing mosques.

• Saudi Arabia's grand mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-
Sheikh, the highest religious authority in the
kingdom, asserted that prayers during Ramadan,
including nightly Tarawee and Eid al-Fitr prayers,
should be performed at home as the pandemic
rages on around the world, Saudi newspaper
Okaz reported.

When is Ramadan?

• Since Ramadan is part of the lunar calendar,
its date annually changes on the Gregorian
calendar. Muslims tend to wait for the new
month's moon to appear before they
announce the first day of Ramadan. However,
they can still estimate the day beforehand.

• This year Ramadan begins on Friday, April 24
in most Muslim-majority nations.

How long is Ramadan?

• Lunar months last between 29 to 30 days
depending on when the new moon is sighted.
If the moon is not seen on the night of the
29th day, then Ramadan lasts for the full 30
days.

• The Eid al-Fitr celebration marks the end of
the month when Muslims celebrate a
successful Ramadan of fasting and worship

Why do Muslims fast during

Ramadan?

• Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. There
is also a verse in the Quran that prescribes
fasting for all Muslims who are mature and
healthy enough to do so for the full day.

• So Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance
to get closer to aAllah, and a way to become
more compassionate to those in need.

• Fasting is also seen as a way to learn patience
and break bad habits.

Ramadan Rules: The do’s and don’ts
during Ramadan 2020

• DO wish your Muslim friends and colleagues a happy
Ramadan. You may even wish them in Arabic by saying
“Ramadan Kareem.”

• DON’T eat, drink, or smoke in public. There will be
designated areas in public spaces, but if it isn’t clear, it’s
best to avoid them until you get home.

• DO dress appropriately. There are already guidelines on
how to dress in public, but you should be especially aware
of your fashion choices during Ramadan. Ideally, make sure
your clothes cover your shoulders and knees.

• DON’T chew gum. This one is pretty easy to forget, so it
may be in your best interests to ditch the chewing gum for
the next month.

• Usually we DO accept invitations to Iftar.
Remember, it’s a big deal as it’s considered an
honour to be invited and, it’s a great way to
experience the culture. But this year given the
new Dubai guidelines around Coronavirus, we
recommend you stay at home and stay safe.

• DON’T hesitate to bring gifts, such as dates, for
your friends - especially if you’re invited to Iftar.

• DO be patient. Work might be a little less
productive and things may not run as smoothly as
they usually do during Ramadan. Your colleagues
who are fasting may be a little more tired than
usual, so be patient with them.

• DON’T tell your Muslim friends you’re thinking
about fasting to lose weight. Fasting symbolises
so much more than that and this can be quite
offensive to those who observe Ramadan. The
truth is, most people end up gaining weight
during Ramadan due to the irregular eating
patterns and heavy meals. You’re more than
welcome to fast if you’re a non-Muslim, but make
sure it’s for the right reasons.

• DO try fasting for a day. This will help you better
understand what your Muslim friends and
colleagues are experiencing for the entire month.

• DON’T listen to loud music. Keep your
headphone volume down this month, as loud
music may be considered offensive to those
who are observing Ramadan.

• DO embrace the night. The city comes to life
again after Iftar, so you better adjust your
bodyclock in order to enjoy the things from
home you normally enjoy .

• DON’T post pictures of your food online. Be
mindful of your fasting followers and save the
#cookingsnaps for after Iftar time.

• DO avoid the roads. They can be chaotic in the
hours before, during, and after Iftar. If you
aren’t able to avoid them, proceed with
caution.

• DON’T worry if it sounds like a lot is going to
change. Ramadan is a peaceful, quiet time of
the year that should be enjoyed - and it only
lasts a month.

Some important historical events

during this month are:

• 1 Ramadan, birth of Abdul Qadir Gilani
• 2 Ramadan, the Torah was bestowed

on Moses according to Islam
• 10 Ramadan, death of Khadija bint

Khuwaylid, first wife of Muhammad
• 10 Ramadan, in 1973, Operation Badr took place,

starting the Yom Kippur War
• 12 Ramadan, the Gospel was bestowed

on Jesus according to Islam
• 15 Ramadan, birth of Hasan ibn Ali

• 15 Ramadan, during the Ottoman Empire, the
Sultan presented trays of baklava to
the Janissaries in a ceremonial procession called
the Baklava Alayı

• 17 Ramadan, birth of Ibn ʿArabi
• 17 Ramadan, death of Aisha bint Abu Bakr – third

wife of Muhammad
• 17 Ramadan, death of Ruqayyah daughter of

Muhammad and Khadija, wife of Uthman
• 17 Ramadan, the Battle of Badr was won by the

Muslims
• 18 Ramadan, the Psalms (Zabur) were bestowed

on David (Dawood)

• 19 Ramadan, Rashidun Caliph Ali was struck
on the head by a sword by an assassin while
praying

• 20 Ramadan, the Conquest of Mecca by
Muhammad

• 21 Ramadan, Caliph Ali died due to his injuries

• 27 Ramadan, the Dominion of Pakistan was
established on 14 August 1947 (27 Ramadan
1366 in the Islamic calendar)[6]

Laylat al-Qadr is observed during one of the last
ten days of the month (typically the odd
nights). Muslims believe that this night which
is also known as "The Night of Power" is
better than a thousand months. This is often
interpreted as praying throughout this night is
rewarded equally with praying for a thousand
months (just over 83 years i.e., a lifetime).
Many Muslims spend the entire night in
prayer.

‫رمضان كريم‬

‫‪THANK‬‬
‫‪YOU‬‬