Ramadan Traditions: Fasting, Prayer, and Celebration

Ramadan is a holy month for the Muslims celebrated once a year in the Islamic calendar. It could be 29 or 30 days based on the moon phase. This is also known as the Hijri calendar to Muslims. Muslims started this calendar after a man named Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He and his followers destroyed pagan worship and established monotheistic worship at the Kaaba, the sacred stone building, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the 7th century. Ever since then, Muslims started pilgrimage to Mecca every year.

The new moon phase occurs when the illuminated side of it is facing the sun and the night side is facing Earth. Ramadan commences when a small sliver of the moon known as waxing crescent emerges and becomes visible.

Ramadan teaches Muslims compassion, self-reflection, discipline and gratitude for the things we have. During Ramadan, Muslims get up with the intention that they are going to fast from sunrise to sunset without drinking water or consuming any foods. But at sunset, Muslims take a date or use water to break their fast. However, before they consume the date or water, they recite a Dua to break their fast, asking assistance from God. Once the fast is broken, Muslims are able to eat again and then the cycle continues till the end of Ramadan.

Muslims break Ramadan into 3 parts: the first 10 days is Mercy of Allah known as (Rahmah) (Allah is the God of Islam). The next set of 10 days is known as the Forgiveness of Allah (Maghfirah). The last 10 days is called Safety of the Hellfire called (Nijat or Laylatul Qadar). This last part is considered the most important, so Muslims do their best. One of the last 10 days is a special night called Laylatul Qadar where Muslims can earn the most blessings.

This year, Ramadan started on March 1st, but we saw the first moon phase change on February 28th, which was the first night of Taraweeh. Taraweeh is a prayer Muslims do to earn more blessings and earn a higher ranking in heaven. Muslims pray this every night of Ramadan until the last day. Tahajul is another prayer Muslims do, but this is usually on the last 10 days.

The sunrise breakfast is called Suhoor, the sunset dinner is called Iftar. When Ramadan is finished, Eid al-Fitr comes, which is celebrated after their hard work during Ramadan. People dress nicely, hang out and have an enjoyable day. I have observed that men usually dress in Thobes or Bazin sets and women wear Abayas, Bazins and hijabs. People wake up early morning around 9 am to pray, then after, everyone greets each other. People say, “Eid Mubarak,” to each other to show respect and celebrate the end of Ramadan. Eid is on the night of March 29th this year.