Ramadan (رمضان) is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar—Islamic Lunar calendar—which is recognized as a time of fasting, devotion, and reflection by Muslims worldwide, practicing discipline, self-control, and empathy. During this holy month, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking between sunrise and sunset, using the time to recite the Holy Quran, strengthen their iman¹, and bond with their families.
A Brief History
To fully understand the significance of Ramadan, we have to travel back to 610 A.D. when a man named Muhammad PBUH was meditating in a cave named Hira on Jabal-Al-Nour, near Mecca. During this meditation, the Angel Gibreel visits the prophet with a revelation known as the first five lines of Surah Al-Alaq. This first meeting with Gibreel is known as Laylat-ul-Qadr, or the Night of Power, which many believe occurred on the 27th of Ramadan. It is widely considered that the Quran continued to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the months of Ramadan over the course of 23 years by Allah SWT.
Included in these revelations were the five pillars of Islam, which build the groundwork of the faith. These incorporate:
- Shahadah – The declaration of faith and the belief that “there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
- Salat – To pray; Muslims are required to prostrate five times a day at sunrise (Fajr), noon (Dohr), afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and nightfall (Isha’a).
- Zakat – Charity
- Sawm – Fasting
- Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca during the last month of the lunar year, Dhul Hijjah.
As observed today, Ramadan honors the fourth pillar of Islam, Sawm, which encourages Muslims to practice gratitude, as it is “a time for us to not only add more good habits but to remove bad ones,” shared Sabrina Kharkhach, senior and Co-President of the Muslim Student Association at Malden High.
Common Practices
Just like any other holiday or cultural practice, Ramadan consists of rich traditions from Muslims globally, whether it be worship, food, or social etiquette. For instance, Egyptians decorate their streets with colorful lanterns called “fanoos,” symbolizing unity and joy, while drummers wake civilians up for Suhoor in Turkey. Meanwhile, in India and Pakistan, girls apply intricate henna designs on their hands as a way to welcome the upcoming fasting season.
A common practice exercised by all Muslims is a “prayer specific to Ramadan, Taraweeh, which occurs at night with the whole community at the mosque,” added Kharkhach. Taraweeh is a special Sunnah² prayer involving reading long portions of the Quran and performing up to 20 rakats³. The entire Quran is recited in the Taraweeh prayers at a mosque, typically at a rate of one Juz⁴ per night. The prayer brings together Muslims to worship and encourages kinship between individuals.
The Malden Islamic Center, located on Pearl Street, holds Taraweeh every night during Ramadan and offers iftar/suhoor gatherings as fundraisers. Those who cannot fast or are excused—the elderly and the sick—are encouraged to feed a congregation of people during the holy month as replacements for hasanat⁵. The mosque also holds an annual Quran competition between contestants of all ages for prize money ranging between $50-$500 in which contestants are required to choose and memorize a Surah⁶ from the provided list to perform in front of the judges.
Along with fasting, Muslims who are financially eligible are mandated to give zakat, which is an obligatory 2.5% donation of one’s annual wealth to the needy. For example, if one earns $1000, they are required to pay $25 as charity. Other types of non-obligatory Islamic charities are Sadaqah, Khairat, and Fitrana, which are given whenever, to whomever, and with any amount of money.
The Fasting Schedule
A typical day in the life of a Muslim fasting begins with waking up an hour before dawn to perform the Tahajjud prayer and read the Quran—most Muslims make it “a personal goal” to finish the holy book over the month, stated freshman Aya Bihi.
Before the commencement of the Fajr athan⁷, those fasting are to eat suhoor, a meal consumed early in the morning to ensure nutrition and energy throughout the day, differing in each country.
The rest of the day until Maghrib depends on the person; they may choose to rest, continue worshipping, assist in making food, go to the masjid, or bond with their community through gatherings and charity work. Sophomore May Ihiri expressed, “In the five minutes before Maghrib athan, which is known for being the best time to make dua⁸, my dad recites a long dua, and we break our fast.”
Finally, at sunset, or the hour known as Maghrib, Muslims sit together with their families to break their fast with a meal called iftar. Traditionally, the fast is broken with a dried sweet fruit called a date and a glass of water, following the example of Prophet Muhammad. After that, each culture indulges in its diverse food, ranging from Sambousek, a meat-filled fried dumpling from Lebanon, to Sheer Khurma, a sweet dessert made from vermicelli in Afghanistan.
Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan in a festival called Eid-Al-Fitr by thanking Allah for giving them the strength to fast throughout the holy month and share this happiness with their families through food, gift-giving, and prayers.
Impacts
The holiday has many Muslim students high-spirited with specific goals, plans, and traditions to follow during the month. The encouragement of self-reflection helps create and maintain a positive environment at MHS by “practicing extra friendliness and working on ourselves,” commented freshman Wiam Saadouni. Not only does it breed good behavior, but it promotes “empathy” and “awareness” toward those without “basic needs such as food and water,” mentioned Abrar Bouchenafa, a student at Pioneer Charter School of Science.
The Muslim Student Association plans to increase activity by “holding iftar for students” and involving themselves within our community via “volunteering and fundraising,” elaborated sophomore Shahd El-Kendi and Kharkhach.
This year, Ramadan will be observed between March 1st and March 30th from 5-6 am and 5-7 pm. Students who wish to perform prayers or spend lunchtime away from the cafeteria are welcome to utilize B324 whenever needed. For those who do not celebrate Ramadan, “remember to be mindful, support your peers, and make them feel welcome,” concluded Nierika Nims, advisor of the MSA.
- Iman – an individual’s faith.
- Sunnah – Practicing followings carried out by Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
- Rakats – Unit of a prayer, typically there are four.
- Juz’ – A volume of the Quran; there are 30 in total.
- Hasanat – Credit for good deeds.
- Surah – A chapter of the Quran; there are 114 in total.
- Athan – Islamic call to prayer.
- Dua – Making prayer to Allah.
