Ramadan, one of the holiest months in Islam, began on Saturday, March 1. It lasts 29 to 30 days, depending on the moon cycle, as the Islamic (Hijri) calendar follows a lunar system. Unlike the typical calendar, which has fixed days in a month, the Islamic year is shorter because each month lasts either 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is the ninth month, as a result, it shifts through different months of the typical calendar over time.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining not only from food and drink but also from all actions considered sinful in Islam. The daily fasting schedule is closely tied to prayer times, as Muslims pray five times a day.
The fast begins with Fajr, the first call to prayer, which coincides with sunrise. Before this, many Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal known as Suhoor. The fast is then broken at Maghrib, the fourth prayer of the day, which takes place at sunset. The day concludes with Isha, the fifth prayer, after which Taraweeh prayers—an optional but highly encouraged set of prayers—are performed, typically taking an extra hour.
Since fasting hours are determined by sunrise and sunset, fasting durations vary depending on geographic location and season. In regions where the sun does not set for extended periods, such as areas with a midnight sun or polar night, it is common practice to follow the fasting timetable of Mecca or the closest country with distinguishable day and night.
Fasting
Fasting as a religious practice is not exclusive to Islam. Variations of fasting exist in Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism and Taoism, among other religions.
Islam recognizes that fasting may not be possible for everyone. Certain groups are exempt, including the chronically ill, elderly, travelers, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, diabetics and menstruating women. Fasting during Ramadan is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the fundamental acts of worship in the faith. The other four pillars include:
Pillar 1) Shahada – The declaration of faith.
Pillar 2) Salah – Praying five times a day.
Pillar 4) Zakat – Giving to charity.
Pillar 5) Hajj – The pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if able.
Eid al-Fitr: The Celebration After Ramadan
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a three-day festival. Muslims tend to decorate their houses, dress up in their best attire on the day—women often wear henna — and begin with a special prayer at the mosque, followed by feasts, family gatherings and acts of charity.
Personal Traditions
Every family has its own way of celebrating Ramadan and Eid. In my family, we have a tradition of eating fruit salad every day, and we always enjoy samosas — a triangle-shaped fried South Asian pastry with mostly vegetables, spiced potatoes, onions and peas, but also meat or fish– as part of our after dawn, iftar, meal.
