The holy month of Ramadan in Islam, where fasting and prayer occur to celebrate when Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad was given the Quran, revealing that God had chosen Muhammad to spread and carry God’s message. Ramadan is additionally a time of self-reflection, practicing restraint, and a time of empathy for those who aren’t as fortunate.

Ramadan marks the ninth month on the Islamic calendar; where Muslims fast. Fasting is one of the five principles of Islam, the rest being Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawn, and Hajj. 

Shahada is the statement or commitment that Muslims make that states, “There is no God but God (Allah), and Muhammad is His Messenger”. 

Salah is the prayer that all Muslims must follow, praying five times a day and in the direction of Mecca, the believed birthplace of the Prophet Muhammed.

Zakat ensures the donation of a Muslim’s wealth, encouraging donating to charities if able. Sawn is the expectation of fasting during Ramadan, where food and water are not ingested from dawn to sunset, sexual activity doesn’t occur, no smoking, and no inappropriate thoughts or behaviors. Those who are pregnant, are a child, ill, elderly, or menstruating do not have to participate in fasting. However, those who don’t have to participate eventually have to make it up.

Lastly, all Muslims are required to complete Hajj, the travel to Mecca.

After fasting, Muslims will break their fast by often cooking a variety of foods to eat together known as iftar, which is the big meal that breaks the fast every Ramadan at sunset. These foods can range from any kind of food such as shish kebab (grilled cubes of meat), lentil soup, afghan chicken palaw (rice and chicken dish), and much more. 

Muslims will also celebrate the three-day period after Ramadan ends, known as Eid al-Fitr. Eid commemorates the end of Ramadan and includes morning prayers, food, and more. Donations will also be made to those in need. You might also hear others wish each other Eid Mubarak, which means Blessed Eid, and Eid additionally means “festival” or “feast” in Arabic. Countries with large Muslim populations consider Eid a national holiday, where school and work are off in time for the celebration. Some countries additionally will decorate their homes with lanterns and twinkling lights.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr remain pivotal holidays for all Muslims, even for those who decide to participate who aren’t Muslim. Happy Ramadan and Eid!

Helpful sources:

“Ramadan.” History.Com, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/ramadan. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.

Silen, Andrea. “Celebrating Ramadan.” National Geographic, June 2015, https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ramadan.

Knott, Kim. “What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?” Crestresearch.Ac.Uk, 9 June 2016, https://crestresearch.ac.uk/comment/islam-five-pillars/.

Chitwood, Ken. “What Is Eid and How Do Muslims Celebrate It? 6 Questions Answered.” Religion News Service, 4 June 2019, https://religionnews.com/2019/06/04/what-is-eid-and-how-do-muslims-celebrate-it-6-questions-answered/.