Ramadan / Frequently Asked Questions:

A: Ramadan is the name of the ninth Islamic lunar month. It is the month Allah (The one God), ordered the Muslims to fast since it was the month He revealed the Qur'an (the Muslims' holy scripture) to Muhammad (the final Prophet of Allah). Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and intimate relations with their spouse during the daylight hours of the blessed month. It is a time for Muslims to contemplate on their belief and increase their faith by actively increasing in worship, prayer and reciting the Qur'an. It is an opportunity for spiritual as well as physical purification.  

A: No. Muslims are ordered to abstain from food, drink and sensual pleasures from the break of dawn until sunset throughout the whole month. That means, that after sunset until the break of dawn of the following day, Muslims may eat and drink as they please. Many Muslims take this opportunity to invite friends and family over to share in the spirit of Ramadan

Q: What do Muslims do during Ramadan?

A: Muslims usually wake before dawn to take a small meal called "Suhur". They abstain from eating, drinking and sensual pleasures during the daylight hours of the blessed month. Muslims exert more effort in worship, praying, contemplating, helping others, giving charity, reciting the Quran (the holy book of the Muslims); many Muslims endeavor to complete the Qur'an's recitation at least once during the month. At sunset, Muslims break their fast, usually with a big meal with family and friends. Many Muslims also attend the mosque at night, to engage in special night prayers called "Taraweeh".

Q: Is Ramadan a Prophet of Islam?

A: No, Ramadan is not a Prophet of Islam. Ramadan is simply the name of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It happens to be the month that Allah (the One God) revealed the Qur'an, to Muhammad (the final Prophet of Allah). Islam believes and honors all the Prophets of the past as servants and Messengers of Allah, including Noah (Nooh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Moses (Musa) and Jesus ('Isa) May Allah send His peace upon them all. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final Messenger of Allah, that the previous Messengers prophesied about. He preached the same message as those before him: "Worship Allah (the one God) alone, you have no god besides Him".

Q: Do children, sick and old people need to fast?

A: Fasting is only obligated on Muslims who have reached puberty, are sane and are healthy. So children who have not reached puberty are exempt, but are encouraged to fast some days, or a portion of a day, to train them for when they are obliged to fast. The temporarily sick who have a sickness that may extend a few days, where fasting may severely affect them or prolong their recovery are not obliged to fast but must make up the days after Ramadan. The chronically ill and elderly, for example those with diabetes, are not obliged to fast, but should feed a needy or poor person for each day they miss.

Q: How did the fast during Ramadan become obligatory for Muslims?

A: The revelations from God to the Prophet Muhammad that would eventually be compiled as the Quran began during Ramadan in the year 610, but the fast of Ramadan did not become a religious obligation for Muslims until the year 624. The obligation to fast is explained in the second chapter of the Quran: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous...The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it;..." (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185)

Q: What do Muslims believe they gain from fasting?

A: One of the main benefits of Ramadan is an increased compassion for those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification and reflection and a renewed focus on spirituality. Muslims also appreciate the feeling of togetherness shared by family and friends throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical benefit is the yearly lesson in self-restraint and discipline that can carry forward to other aspects of a Muslim's life such as work and education.

Q: Why does Ramadan begin on a different day each year?

A: Because Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins about eleven days earlier each year. Throughout a Muslim's lifetime, Ramadan will fall both during winter months, when the days are short, and summer months, when the days are long and the fast is more difficult. In this way, the difficulty of the fast is evenly distributed between Muslims living in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Q: What is Lailat ul-Qadr?

A: Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night of Power") marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. An entire chapter in the Quran deals with this night: "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 the angels and the Spirit by God's permission, on every errand. Peace!...This until the rise of morn." (Chapter 97) Muslims believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadan.

Q: Is it difficult to perform the fast in the United States?

A: In many ways, fasting in United States is easier than fasting in some of the African countries where the climate is extremely hot. This year at least, the number of daylight hours will be less than when Ramadan occurs during the summer. In Muslim countries, most people are observing the fast, so there are fewer temptations such as luncheon meetings, daytime celebrations and offers of food from friends. Many US Muslims would prefer a daytime work shift during Ramadan so that they may break the fast with their families and attend evening prayers.

Q: How can non-Muslim co-workers and friends help someone who is fasting?

A: Employers, co-workers and teachers can help by understanding the significance of Ramadan and by showing a willingness to make minor allowances for its physical demands. Special consideration can be given to such things as requests for vacation time, the need for flexible early morning or evening work schedules and lighter homework assignments. It is also very important that Muslim workers and students be given time to attend Eid prayers at the end of Ramadan. Eid is as important to Muslims as Christmas and Yom Kippur are to Christians and Jews. A small token such as a card (there are Eid cards available from Muslim bookstores) or baked goods given to a Muslim co-worker during Eid ul-Fitr would also be greatly appreciated. Hospital workers should be aware that injections and oral medications might break the fast. Patients should be given the opportunity to decide whether or not their condition exempts them from fasting.

Q: Do people normally lose weight during Ramadan?

A: Some people do lose weight, but others may not. It is recommended that meals eaten during Ramadan be light, but most people can't resist sampling special sweets and foods associated with Ramadan.


Frequently Asked Questions on Ramadan - For Muslims:

Q: Can I use an asthma puffer during Ramadan?

A: Yes, the scholars have permitted this, since it is not considered food or drink or nourishment. Also, it is compressed air that enters the lungs and the amount of water that enters is minute.

Q: Can I swim during Ramadan?

A: Swimming is allowed if one knows from previous experience that they do not swallow any water when swimming.

Q: Can I take a shower or bath during Ramadan?

A: Yes, you may take a shower or bath during Ramadan, to cool down, as the Prophet (SAW) did this.

Q: Can I wear perfume during Ramadan?

A: Yes, perfume is allowed and encouraged to be used. There is no forbiddance from the Prophet (SAW) regarding this.

Q: If I have a wet dream during Ramadan, do I break my fast?

A: No. As this occurs when you are asleep and we are not responsible for our actions when we are unconscious.

Q: If I masturbate during Ramadan, do I break my fast?

A: Yes. Masturbation is forbidden (haram) and goes against one of the principles of fasting "... leaving sexual pleasures". One must take a complete shower, repent and ask for forgiveness and never return to that sin. One should continue fasting that day and make-up that day after Ramadan and before the following year.

Q: If I have my periods before sunset during Ramadan, do I break my fast?

A: Yes. There is no sin on you and this is a natural occurrence for women, so it is nothing to be ashamed of. If periods (menstruation) occurs before the sunset, even by seconds, your fast breaks and you must make the day up after Ramadan and before the next Ramadan.

Q: If I swear, lie or say or do something forbidden (haram), do I break my fast?

A: These things do not break one's fast but one should be very careful. The Prophet(SAW) said: "He who does not abstain from evil speech and actions during Ramadan, Allah is in no need for him to give up his food and drink". So if one does not stop evil speech and action, even though he does not break his fast, his rewards are dramatically reduced, possibly not receiving any rewards. This would be very tragic, since Ramadan is full of so much reward and blessing, the Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan, with firm belief and hoping in it's reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven". But, even if one does say, something evil, they should continue fasting and ask for forgiveness, in hope that Allah will restore his rewards and forgive him. If one repents from evil speech and action, Allah may forgive him, restore his rewards for fasting and multiply his rewards, since Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful!