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Ramadan: the 30-day fast

Published:Thursday | August 25, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Iraqi Muhsen Adel prepares traditional sweets in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy fasting month of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, refraining from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to dusk. AP
A Pakistani boy collects food to serve people gathered to break their fast in Islamabad, Pakistan, on August 18. Muslims around the world are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan in which they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk.
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Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Can you imagine fasting for 30 consecutive days? Well that is exactly what Muslims do during the month of Ramadan.

Clive Muhammad has been a Muslim for the past 18 years and has been celebrating Ramadan ever since. He explains that Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the Arabic calendar. It is 30 days of fasting, and each day, followers fast from sunrise to sunset. The fast is broken at sunset.

Muhammad explains that followers of the prophet Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam, are encouraged by the prophet to stay away from meat. He said that this is because meat is full of hormones and is not very healthy.

"We were also taught to eat one meal per day at sunset by the Prophet Mohammed, which should be observed for the best of self," he explained.

He added that this is a practice that he does daily. He starts his regular days with a cup of coffee and he only consumes water throughout the day.

At the end of the day, he eats a light meal. He noted, however, that Orthodox Muslims do not practice this as their teachings vary.

Muhammad told Food that during Ramadan, fasting can be challenging, as perople might get thirsty and tempted to have some water, especially if they have to be out working. He explains that while it might be ideal to gather at the mosque for daily fasting, if people have to work, then they have to continue their daily routine while observing the Ramadan practices. He notes that individuals who work will usually take their lunch break and go to the mosque for prayer or go for evening prayer.

Not just fasting

The Muslim said that Ramadan is not just about fasting and staying away from meat, but also about reading the Qur'an in its entirety (a part per day), offering prayer, and being kind to all while reflecting on Allah. He added that just as they were taught from the beginning not to smoke or drink, they are encouraged to maintain this. He said that they are also to refrain from sex during the daylight.

Muhammad said the fasting is prescribed to guard against evil. "We are all ill and not truly free from sin, so the fasting gives us an opportunity to reflect and focus deeper on Allah and his righteousness."

He notes that prayer, which is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam, is to guard against evil. As such, praying five times each day, allows them to cleanse and purify themselves of all ills and sins. And fasting for a month does assist them in focusing on righteousness through the remaining months.

At the end of Ramadan, there is a big feast called the Eid. Muhammad explains that everyone gathers at the mosque for the all-day celebration. There is usually a wide variety of food and, if the facility permits, the goats, chicken and cows are killed in keeping with the Muslim way of life, and prepared on the spot, while everyone eats, giving thanks to Allah and being merry.