What you need to know about Ramadan

Muslim faithfuls break the fast together. Photo credit: Pixabay

Fasting (sawm, in Arabic) is the 4th of the 5 pillars of Islam; profession of faith known as "Shahada", prayer (salat), alms-giving (zakat), fasting (sawm) and pilgrimage (hajj). The five pillars are considered mandatory by believers and are the foundation of Muslim life as one of the best forms of Islamic worship.

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil" Q2: 183

The significance of Ramadan

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is when the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by angel Jubril (Gabriel) in 610 AD.

The word Ramadan was derived from the word "Ramad" which literally means 'heat'. This relates to the daytime fasting which Muslims are expected to observe. This is a month of fasting, prayer and reflections for Muslims. During this time, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, and strive to avoid thoughts and behaviors which are considered to be impure under the tenets of Islam, seeking the guidance of Allah to suppress their desires and increase their spiritual piety.

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The origin of Ramadan 

The origin of Ramadan lies in the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his encounter with the divine. One night during the month of Ramadan known as laylat-al-Qadr (night of power or night of majesty) in the year 610 AD when prophet Muhammad was 40 years of age and was passing the month in meditation in mount Hira, he had a vision of an angel (angel Jubril) appearing before him.

The angel revealed that Muhammad was a messenger of Allah and was born to be a prophet to his people and was instructed to recite what he said:

"Recite in the name of your lord who creates man from a clot. Recite and your lord is the most bountiful who teaches by the pen, He teaches man what he does not know.’’ Q96:1-5

Allah gave Muhammad the teachings of the Quran and set him on his path of prophethood.

"The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore, whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein..." Q2:185

During the month of Ramadan, all the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devil is chained. This can actually be used to evaluate oneself; that if you still do evil during this month, it means the individual is the devil himself.

Hadith narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

A Hadith is a saying of the Prophet (SAW).

Observing the fast

The first step to the month of Ramadan is the "moon sighting". Muslims around the world look to the heavens to see if they will be able to sight the crescent moon. The sighting of the moon signals the beginning of Ramadan.

In most countries, Muslims wait for the proclamation to be done by religious authorities before the commencement of the fast. In Nigeria, there is a Moon Sighting Committee which is under the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) headed by the Sultan of Sokoto. He alone can proclaim the sighting of the moon signifying the beginning of Ramadan.

The journey of 29/30 days begins whereby Muslims have to change their whole physical and emotional selves. The reward of every good deed done during this period is given by Allah in ten manifolds.

A typical day of fasting starts with the "Taraweeh" prayer (10 rakats). It is a voluntary prayer enjoined by the Prophet for Muslims to observe every night during the period of fasting.

Thereafter, the "sahur" (food taken at dawn) is taken around 4:30am and 5:10am before "fajr" (dawn break). It is recommended for those who cannot eat at this period to at least take few sip of water rather than fasting on empty stomach.

As the day proceeds, it is encouraged that Muslims do a lot of "ibaadah" (worship) like reading of the Qur’an, and listening to lectures and recitations from the holy book.

Breaking the fast

The fast is broken at sunset. The Prophet recommended breaking the fast with dates. Muslims are urged to invite others to break or share food to the less privileged who cannot afford to break the fast on their own. This is a means of "saddaqqah" (charity). And the reward of anyone who feeds a fasting Muslim is the same as the reward of the person that fasts.

Before breaking the fast, it is encouraged that Muslims do a lot of supplications as the prayers said during this period will never be rejected.

"Indeed the fasting person at the time of breaking his fast has a supplication which is not rejected" narrated by Ibn Majah
"There are 3 whose supplication is not rejected: the just ruler, the fasting person until he breaks his fast, and the oppressed person". 

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Prayer said before breaking of fast:

"O Allah, for you I have fasted and upon your provision I break my fast. The thirst has gone and the veins are quenched and the reward is confirmed if Allah wills."

The last 10 nights of Ramadan 

The last ten nights of Ramadan is known to contain a particular night called laylat-al-qadr; known as night of majesty or night of power. The holy Qur’an was revealed during this night but no one knows the exact night it is except Allah.

The night of power is said to be better than a thousand months. So, Muslims are enjoined to keep up and pray through the 10 nights as all prayers are answered and destinies are changed:

"We have indeed revealed this message in the night of power, and what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The night of power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down angels and the spirit by Allah’s permission on every errand; peace! until the break of the morning" Q97:1-5

Currently, Muslims are in the last 10 days of Ramadan.

End of Ramadan

Towards the end of Ramadan, the prophet (SAW) stipulated that Muslims feed the poor and give zakatul-al-fitr (alms of breaking the fast). This is the duty of every able Muslim and is equated to a portion of dates or grains given directly into the hands of the poor.

It is incumbent that zakatul-al-fitr be distributed before the festival of breaking the fast known as eid-ul-fitr which marks the close of Ramadan.

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Eid-ul-fitr

It is marked as a day of celebration, beginning with a special communal prayer. Eid begins with eating of food before going to the eid ground for prayers, and followed by celebrations.

Who can fast ? 

Muslims who are fit enough to fast are encouraged to fast, but there are few people who are exempted from fasting during Ramadan. These include the elderly, pregnant women, nursing or menstruating females, people who are ill or travelers.

"The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore, whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or on a journey, then he shall fast a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and He desires that you should complete the number and that you exalt greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks" Q2:185

Those who miss fast out of necessity can make the time up later in the year. Individuals with serious illnesses or the elderly who are likely never to be able to make up the fast are expected to pay 'fidyah' (they feed or give money to a poor person for every day of Ramadan they miss).


Nafisat Akinniyi, a dedicated Muslim and civil engineer writes from Lagos, Nigeria.