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Celebrating Ramadan
Piety should be achieved through fasting as it redirects the heart from trivial, mundane pursuits towards Allah, says Hessa Rashed Laywad, instructor at the Sharjah Government School.
- By Fatma Salem, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:04 September 15, 2007
- In the UAE, shopping malls organise activities for children and adults during Ramadan. Shops, restaurants and cinemas extend their working hours late into the night.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Piety should be achieved through fasting as it redirects the heart from trivial, mundane pursuits towards Allah, says Hessa Rashed Laywad, instructor at the Sharjah Government School.
This month is characterised by spiritual introspection, prayer, good deeds and spending time with family and friends.
- A long-standing tradition is to consume one light meal just before the sunrise. This meal is known as the Suhoor.
- Continuing one's fast through the night and not eating Suhoor is strongly discouraged. The pre-dawn meal provides the energy necessary to maintain a day-long fast.
- A light meal is eaten at sundown. This is called Iftar. Nowadays the TV and radio announce the exact time of Iftar. However, the old tradition was to listen for the call from the mosque's minarets to know when Iftar has begun.
- It is usually customary to have dates along with milk or water as the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to do
- This is followed by the fourth prayer of the day — Al Maghrib. Right after the prayer you can eat the main course of Iftar. Through this you gradually give your stomach enough time to accept food without upsetting your stomach.
- Iftar food varies from country to country, but the most common items on the table are dates and milk besides assorted fruits and vegetables.
- In the Gulf region, Ramadan dishes vary. Harees — a traditional dish made from wheat and meat that is cooked all day on a slow fire — is the most popular dish.
What happens during this month
Jameela Al Sayed, a student of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, on how the month is observed in the country.
During Ramadan most restaurants are closed during the day. Tents are set up where the poor are served Iftar. The poor and the needy also receive clothes and money.
Many people go to the mosque in their neighbourhood to break their fast. They take fruits, food and drinks to the mosque and offer them to those who can't afford to have a good meal.
The Ramadan crescent moon sign is displayed in most places. Other symbols are the lantern, signifying light, and the cannon, which sounds the time for Iftar.
In the UAE, shopping malls organise activities for children and adults. Shops, restaurants and cinemas extend their working hours late into the night.
Celebration of Eid Al Fitr
Ramadan ends with Eid Al Fitr or the Festival of Fast-Breaking. It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.
People wear new clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and visit friends and family to celebrate the occasion.
Although charity and good deeds are always important, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to an end, Muslims are obliged to share their blessings by feeding the poor and giving contributions to the mosques.
On the day of Eid Al Fitr, people rise early to prepare for the day, eat breakfast and proceed to the place of the Eid congregation.
Muslims pronounce the Takbeer, saying: "Allah is greatest, there is no God but Allah and all praise belongs to Allah." A sermon is delivered by the Imam, after which people supplicate, greet, embrace and congratulate each other.
During the day, people visit each other and children receive gifts.
In some countries, people go on picnics. In addition, Eid celebrations are arranged at work or in social settings.
At home, women pray and then prepare special dishes of sweets and meals for lunch. The entire family then sits down for a grand meal.
— Information provided by Hessa Rashid Laywad, instructor at Sharjah Government School
Fasting as an obligation
The core of the process of fasting is to strengthen the spiritual bonds between Muslims and Allah.
After all, Allah is very merciful and wants the best for his creatures.
Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslims who have attained puberty. However, there are some exceptions such as:
- Women who are having their menstrual period or who have not fully recovered from childbirth can postpone the fast until they have completely recovered.
- Those ill or travelling can choose to postpone their fast.
- Very young children and old and sick people are not expected to fast.
- Older people can feed a poor person for each day of Ramadan that they cannot fast.
- Sick people can compensate by fasting once they have recovered.
- Children are permitted to fast only when they are strong enough physically to tolerate fasting without difficulty.
— All the information has been provided by Dr Mohammad Eqbal Farahat, Instructor of Illustration and Quran Sciences at the Ajman University of Science and Technology
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