What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a holy month during which Muslims around the world observe fasting (soum) from sunrise to sunset. This religious practice is one of the five pillars of Islam, that is to say the fundamental acts of faith.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations during the day. The daily fast is broken each evening with a meal called iftar, starting at the precise time of sunset, which varies each day and according to each city.
Where does the practice of Ramadan come from?
The name “Ramadan” comes from the Arabic root “ar-ramad”, which means “overwhelming heat” and would have been originally given (before the emergence of Islam) to the ninth month of the year, because it corresponded to the hottest period. But in the 7th century, the birth of this religion modified its scope. In Islam, Ramadan commemorates the period of revelation of the Koran to the prophet Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel, in the year 610. It is also the only month of the year explicitly mentioned in the sacred book.
The prescription of fasting for all Muslims, in order to celebrate this revelation of the Koran, would have been made later, during the second year of the Hegira (the Islamic calendar) which corresponds to the year 624 of the Gregorian calendar (the one used today in almost the entire world).
What are the dates of Ramadan 2024 and why do they change every year?
The date of Ramadan changes every year due to the lunar nature of the Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar). Unlike the solar calendar, which is based on the Earth’s rotation around the sun, the Islamic calendar is based on the moon. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, begins when the new moon is observed. As the lunar months are shorter than the solar months (29 or 30 days), Ramadan shifts by approximately 10 to 12 days each year in the Gregorian calendar.
This variation in the date of Ramadan is an integral part of Islamic tradition, symbolizing the flexibility of the lunar calendar and reminding believers that time and seasons are under divine will. It also helps ensure that every Muslim can experience Ramadan at different times of the year throughout their lives.
The precise determination of the date of the start of Ramadan is therefore based on the observation of the moon, and can vary according to traditions and countries. In France, the next Ramadan should begin on the evening of Sunday March 10, 2024 and end on Tuesday April 9, 2024. Dates which are made official each year by the Grand Mosque of Paris.
To do this, religious authorities will meet on a specific night, called the “Night of Doubt”, on two occasions: in March to determine when the month of Ramadan will officially begin, and in April to determine when the month of Ramadan will officially begin. when it will end. On this viewing night, if the moon is visible, it means that the next month has begun, and if it is not visible due to clouds or other factors, the current month is extended.
What does Ramadan symbolize for Muslims?
The idea of Ramadan is to purify the souls of believers and bring them closer to Allah. Also, beyond fasting, Muslims observe several rules during this period. These are based on Islamic teachings and aim to strengthen piety, personal discipline and community solidarity.
Believers are particularly encouraged to increase the number of daily prayers, in particular the night prayers called Tarawih, but also to read the Quran more frequently.
Acts of charity and benevolence are strongly encouraged, but also, more broadly, generosity, tolerance and attention to others. The majority of Muslims also pay Zakat-al-fitr (the charity specific to Ramadan), by donating it to a charitable organization of their choice. As for Fidya and Kaffara, its amount is set by the religious authorities and amounts in 2024 to a minimum of 9 euros per day and per person.
Believers are also encouraged to avoid unnecessary distractions and focus on spiritual activities. They should also refrain from negative behaviors such as anger, slander, backbiting and other harmful actions.
These rules and practices aim to create an environment conducive to spiritual growth, self-control and solidarity.
Are all Muslims obligatory to observe Ramadan?
Fasting during Ramadan is considered a religious obligation for all Muslims starting at puberty, but some are exempt for health reasons. This may be the case for very elderly people, sick people, under special medical treatment, people who are traveling, but also pregnant or breastfeeding women, if they fear that fasting will harm their health or that of the child. . Fasting is also prohibited for women during their menstruation.
In France, according to INSEE, the majority of Muslims (more than 80%) practice Ramadan every year. In total around the world, more than 1.5 billion people practice this month of fasting each year.
What happens if you don’t fast during Ramadan?
If a person is authorized not to fast during part or all of Ramadan, depending on the case, two solutions present themselves:
– either the person can postpone their fast later, respecting a duration equal to that of the days missed during Ramadan
– either the person cannot postpone their fast (mainly for health reasons), and must pay a compensatory donation, Fidya, which will consist of feeding a person in a precarious situation for each day not fasted. Its amount is determined by the Muslim authorities, in France the CTMF (theological council of Muslims of France). For 2024, it amounts to 9 euros per day, or 270 euros for the whole of Ramadan.
On the other hand, if a Muslim not exempt from fasting voluntarily fails to observe Ramadan, according to Islam he commits a major sin and must repent. For this, once more, there are several possibilities:
– either the person can/wants to postpone their fast later, respecting a duration double that of the days missed during Ramadan (i.e. a total of 60 days if the entire month has been missed)
– either the person cannot or does not want to postpone their fast, in which case they must pay an expiatory gift, the Kaffara, which will consist of feeding two people in precarious situations for each day not fasted. Its amount is therefore double that of Fidya, i.e. 18 euros per day, and 540 euros for the whole of Ramadan.
What does a “typical day” look like during Ramadan?
During Ramadan, several rituals punctuate the day. Before sunrise, families first share suhur, the last meal before the start of the daily fast. This meal is often rich in proteins (eggs, meats, fish, cheeses, yogurts), simple and complex carbohydrates (rice, pasta, semolina but also dates or honey) and fibers (fruits and vegetables) to provide lasting energy for the day, and it is accompanied by plenty of water. Once the meal is over, Muslims perform the Fajr prayer, which marks the official start of the daily fast, and/or recite verses from the Koran.
The day then proceeds normally, with the usual professional, educational or family activities. Some observe the Dhuhr prayer at noon, or devote additional time to reflection, prayer and reading the Quran.
At sunset, the fast is broken with a meal called Iftar, which traditionally begins with dates and water, following the practice of the Prophet. Different dishes are then served at the table, which vary according to families and traditions. Once the meal is finished, Muslims perform the Maghrib, the sunset prayer.
After this time of prayer, some choose to participate in religious and community activities, attend readings from the Quran, perform Isha (night prayer) and Tarawih (prayers specific to Ramadan), or spend time with family . Some Muslims participate in the additional prayer called Qiyam al-Layl or Tahajjud, during the late hours of the night.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid ul-Fitr is the celebration of breaking the fast which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is one of the two most solemn dates in the Muslim calendar with the other Eid, Eid el-Kébir or Eid el-Adha, the great feast or feast of sacrifice which commemorates, according to Muslim tradition, the sacrifice that God asked of Abraham to test his faith.
It takes place the day following the last day of the month of Ramadan (the 9th month), i.e. the first day of the month of Shawwal (the 10th month). The exact date is determined a few days before by the religious authorities during the “Night of Doubt” (see previously). According to projections, this year, Ramadan might end on Tuesday April 9, 2024.
