As another Ramadan begins, the UAE, and the rest of the Muslim world, eases into a lifestyle, spiritual and workplace transformation.

For the next 29 or 30 days, depending on how long the lunar month will be, the daily fast will last from dawn to sundown — around 15 hours this time of year in the UAE.

Working hours will be reduced by two hours in most cases, with work usually starting later and ending earlier. Each evening, a calm will prevail as most residents rest at home in the build-up to iftar, the sunset meal taken to end the day’s fast.

At night, mosques will be full, with worshippers spending an extra hour or so after the regular night prayer to perform a voluntary congregational prayer held in Ramadan, called Taraweeh. Many people make the time to socialise or shop in the hours after these special prayers.

Before dawn, most residents wake up for a meal, called suhour, to help them cope with hunger and thirst in the long, hot day ahead. And so the cycle continues for the holy month.

Ramadan will end with the Eid Al Fitr festival, one of two main festivals in Islam, to celebrate the accomplishment of yet another month of spirituality and sharing.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is an Arabic word; it is the name of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar year. The word Ramadan stems from the Arabic word ‘Al Ramad’, which means intense heat and dryness. The meaning also conveys the inner hardship felt by those who fast, and also refers to the ‘burning’ away of negativity and sins through fasting.

Ramadan is one of the ‘five pillars’ of Islam and obligatory on every able-bodied adult Muslim, who must give up food and drink from dawn to sunset.

Ramadan rulings

Muslims who are ill or on a journey are not required to fast, but they have to make up the days that they missed after Ramadan, before the next Ramadan comes.

Also excused are women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating — they must also make up the missed days later.

Besides giving up food and drink during the day, worshippers must abstain from smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset.

While fasting, the act of cursing, lying or backbiting is even more emphatically forbidden.

Using eye-drops or perfume does not break the fast, nor does brushing the teeth, as some people mistakenly believe. In fact, using the traditional toothbrush — the miswak, made from the twig of the siwak tree — is recommended.

It is also encouraged to eat and drink right before dawn to better endure hunger and thirst through the day.

Guide for non-Muslims

Eating, drinking or smoking in public, or in the car, is not allowed from dawn to sunset. There are designated areas in many workplaces for lunch.

You can go about your groceries as usual. Many restaurants also continue food deliveries to people’s homes.

It is a gesture of respect to join friends and colleagues for iftar, the sunset meal which ends the day’s fast.

Modest clothing is recommended, day and night, in public.

Listening to loud music should be avoided.

It is cordial to greet Muslims with the saying ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ at the start of Ramadan.

Public displays of affection, such as kissing or hugging, should be avoided.

Attend public lectures explaining the significance of Ramadan to Muslims and non-Muslims.

Special prayer

Nights in Ramadan are marked by special prayers called Taraweeh. They are held in mosques after the regular Isha night prayer (around 9pm this time of year). Unlike the five daily prayers, Taraweeh prayers are not obligatory. However, they are highly encouraged, and can even be performed at home.

Taraweeh usually lasts for an hour or so. Although they are longer, Taraweeh prayers are performed in the same way as the regular daily prayers.

Night of Power

The last ten nights of Ramadan are regarded as the most auspicious. Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in one of the last ten nights of the month, although the exact night is not specifically known.

That night, in which the Quran was revealed, is called the Night of Power. Muslims are keen to strive in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan, as any one of them could be the Night of Power, which is “better than 1,000 months”, as the Quran says.

These nights are marked by long readings of the Quran, voluntary prayers, and keeping away from worldly matters to focus on the spiritual realm.

Ramadan in summer

Ramadan this year will cover most of June (apart from the last few days of May). This means days will be long and hot.

Fasting will start at dawn, a little after 4am nowadays, and end at sunset, around 7pm — that’s 15 hours.

Ramadan comes around ten days sooner every year in the solar Gregorian calendar, as the lunar Islamic months are shorter. Over recent years, the holy month has been occurring in summer. It will be another four years before Ramadan arrives in the cooler spring season.

Islamic calendar

Muslims follow a calendar based on the lunar year, which is around ten days shorter than the solar Gregorian year. The Islamic calendar, comprised of 12 months based on the moon cycle, is known as the Hijri (migration) year, named after the migration of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah. The Islamic year Hijri 1 corresponds to 622AD. We are currently in the Hijri year 1438.

Since the Hijri year is shorter, it arrives 10 days ‘earlier’ in relation to the Gregorian year after each cycle. This means it moves through the seasons — that’s why Ramadan arrives ‘earlier’ by ten days every year.

Islamic months

1 Muharram

2 Safar

3 Rabi Al Awwal

4 Rabi Al Thani

5 Jumada Al Ula

6 Jumada Al Akhira

7 Rajab

8 Sha’aban

9 Ramadan

10 Shawwal

11 Dhu Al Qa’da

12 Dhu Al Hijja

Sweet start

Muslims typically end their fast with dates and water, following in the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Dates are preferred as they provide a quick and nourishing source of energy and sugar that the body needs after a day of fasting. Dates are also liked because they are tasty, affordable, readily available and have a long shelf life.

They are also easy on the stomach, which comes under pressure to digest the food taken at the end of day. In fact, dates prepare the body to receive a bigger meal, making them the ideal food for iftar.

Boom times

The sound of cannons fired at sunset is an age-old Ramadan tradition in Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE. It signals the end of the day’s fast.

The tradition has been kept alive by Dubai Police since the 1960s, evoking nostalgia for long-time residents. For new arrivals, it is a curious novelty that heightens the sense of excitement at iftar.

Dubai Police’s Weapons and Ammunition Department of the General Department of Services and Supplies is responsible for the Ramadan cannon firing programme.

Cannon firing programme

Each cannon is fired once to announce the start of Ramadan

Once every day to announce iftar

Twice in a row to announce Eid Al Fitr

Twice on the morning of Eid Al Fitr, after Eid prayers.

The cannons can be seen during Ramadan near Deira prayer grounds, near Al Mamzar Park, Al Karama prayer grounds, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Burj Khalifa.

The five pillars

1 Shahada (Affirmation): It is the belief and proclamation that there is no God but Allah and the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is the messenger of Allah.

2 Salah (Praying): The second pillar of Islam mandates five prayers a day facing the Kaaba in Makkah. The times of the prayers are called by the mua’dhen over loudspeakers.

3 Zakat (Giving of alms): Each able Muslim is required to give a percentage of his or her wealth, either in money or other trade assets, to the poor and needy. Zakat ‘purifies’ the wealth by blessing it.

4 Sawm (Fasting): Sawm means fasting and is observed during Ramadan as an obligation. Muslims refrain from food and drink from dawn until dusk.

5 Haj (Pilgrimage): Muslims who are able, physically and financially, go to Makkah on pilgrimage at least once in their life. Pilgrims shun luxuries and come to Makkah on an equal footing.

Traits of Ramadan

Sharing: Muslims believe they also earn the reward of the fasting person who they feed at sunset

Charity: Empathy with the needy is a praiseworthy deed that is especially encouraged in Ramadan

Worship: As Muslims believe the Quran was revealed in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, the holy month is also known as ‘The Month of the Quran’. Muslims read and memorise as much as they can of the Quran during Ramadan. They also strive to perform more voluntary prayers.

Mosques in UAE

4,800+ mosques in the UAE

2,200+ mosques in Abu Dhabi

1,400+ mosques in Dubai

600+ mosques in Sharjah

Moon-sighting

In the Islamic lunar calendar, known as the Hijri year, the first crescent sighting after the new moon marks the start of each month. Like the other Islamic months, Ramadan’s start is also tied to the crescent sighting. Moon sighting is a religious practice in Islam, and we show you here how the moon plays such a shining role in the life of billions of Muslims around the world.