Everything you’ve always wanted to know about Ramadan
<p>Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a period of time where Muslims fast for a month and commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.</p>
<p>Muslims can enjoy a very early breakfast just before sunrise, known as “Imsaak”, before fasting for the day. When the sun sets, Muslims get together and share their first meal for the day known as “Iftar”.</p>
<p>Following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims are encouraged to break their fast with a date before enjoying the rest of the meals prepared.</p>
<p>So, when does Ramadan actually begin? Muslims rely on the crescent moon sighting to determine the beginning of the holy month. This year, it is expected that Ramadan will begin on March 23, and will last for 30 days. However, some may begin their fasting on March 24.</p>
<p>This year, Australian Muslims will fast longer hours for the first 10 days or so due to daylight savings, but when daylight savings ends on April 2, that will shorten the fasting day.</p>
<p>While fasting, Muslims are required to abstain from food, drinks, backbiting, swearing and sexual activities. Sex, for example, is prohibited when fasting. Once the fast is broken, sex is allowed to be performed.</p>
<p>Fasting is compulsory for Muslims when they reach puberty, however, some individuals are unable to fast due to disabilities, illness, old age, or pregnancy. Women who are menstruating are also not allowed to fast.</p>
<p>Some of the holiest nights of the Islamic year also occur in the month of Ramadan, known as Laylat al-Qadr (night of decree). It is the night when Muslims commemorate the first revelation of the holy Quran that was sent down to Prophet Muhammad, and falls in the last 10 days of Ramadan.</p>
<p>Once the 30 days of Ramadan are over, Muslims celebrate Eid with friends and family over three days with a large feast (or two), and children are gifted money and new clothing from older relatives.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Why does Ramadan fall in different seasons around the world? </strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Due to the northern and southern hemisphere, Muslims around the world fast either in winter or summer.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Australians and New Zealanders have been fasting during the winter months for the past few years, which counts to about 12 hours a day. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, those in the northern hemisphere have been fasting during the summertime, which means longer fasting hours.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to that, because Ramadan falls on a different day each year based on the Islamic calendar, those in the northern hemisphere will eventually observe Ramadan in winter and vice versa. </p>
<p dir="ltr">An extra fun fact is that from 2023, Ramadan begins 10 days earlier – which means those 10 days will be longer fasting days, thanks to daylight savings. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>What is the most common question fasting Muslims are asked?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">“Not even water?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes. Not even water.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>
