36 Interesting Facts About Ramadan

Ramadan is the most sacred month in Islam. It’s not just about fasting from dawn until dusk. There are other things Muslims do during this time that may seem confusing to non-Muslims. If you’re having trouble understanding Ramadan, we can help you by explaining what it is, why it’s observed, and who observes it.

Meaning of Sawm?

Sawm means ‘to fast’ in Arabic and is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a principle that all Muslims should follow. Sawm is not just about refraining from eating or drinking, but it is also about developing better habits and staying away from wrongdoing. Muslims observe Sawm to become more compassionate towards others and to appreciate the gifts bestowed upon them by Allah (SWT). Sawm also cultivates traits such as perseverance, devotion, and self-discipline. It is a way for Muslims to purify themselves and draw closer to Allah (SWT).

When Did the Ramazan Begin?

Ramadan is a special month for Muslims that happens once a year. It starts when a new moon is seen in the sky, which usually happens around the same time every year, but not always. The Islamic calendar is based on the moon, so Ramadan moves back by about 10-11 days each year when compared to the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun. Because of this, it can be hard to know exactly when Ramadan will start and end each year.

Forbidden things during fasting

During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during the day. Sexual relations, smoking, and any offensive or excessive behavior are also prohibited.

The Month of Quran

Ramadan is designated as the month in which the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations that constitute the Qur’an.
Ramadan is also known as the “month of the Quran.”
Breaking the fast usually involves eating a date, followed by juice.

Beginning of Ramadan

Since Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, the holiday starts 11-12 days earlier than the previous year. It takes about 33 Islamic years for Ramadan to return to the same place on the Gregorian calendar.
To announce the start of Ramadan, most Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia rely on a monthly sieve. When these lunar explorers see the new moon, Ramadan can begin.

Ramazan Rooted word

The word “Ramadan” is derived from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, meaning extreme heat or drought. This is because Ramadan usually occurs in summer.

Ramadan requires Muslims to fast “during the day”. Muslims who live in places with midnight sun or polar night follow the hours of daylight in Mecca.

Nutritionist viewpoint:

In fact, while Ramadan means a month of fasting, nutritionists have found that overeating, once the sun goes down, can lead to increased diabetes cases and weight gain.
During Ramadan, worker productivity drops by 35-50% due to reduced working hours and loss of efficiency.
Fasting in Ramadan is from sunrise to sunset. Before dawn, before fasting, Muslims eat a meal called “Sahur”. At sunset, they break their fast with a meal called “iftar”.
Since Ramadan requires a month of fasting, the need for food actually increases. After Iftar (meal after sunset), people flock to cafes to eat and meet friends.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other pillars are salat (prayer), shahada (acknowledgment that there is no god but Allah and whose prophet is Muhammad), zakat (charity), and hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime).

Extension of fasting:

All adults must fast during Ramadan, except those who are elderly, ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, chronically ill, or menstruating.
If someone is sick and cannot fast during Ramadan, he or she can make up the fast when he or she recovers.
Children do not need to fast during Ramadan until they reach puberty.

If someone breaks the fast during Ramadan intentionally without a valid reason, he must make up the missed day.

Facts About death in Ramadan

If a person dies during Ramadan and does not complete his fast, the person in charge of his affairs must continue the fast on his behalf, usually after he has completed his own fast.

In many Muslim countries, restaurants remain open during Ramadan with a sign stating that food is only available to non-Muslims.

Sexual Relation during fasting

If someone has sex in Ramadan, he has to fast for 60 consecutive days or feed 60 poor people.

Can a Muslim greet nonmuslim in Ramazan?

Yes, When a non-Muslim meets a Muslim during Ramadan, the appropriate greeting is “Ramadan Mubarak”, which means “Happy Ramadan to you”.

Fasting in Ramadan is from sunrise to sunset. Before dawn, before fasting, Muslims eat a meal called “Sahur”. At sunset, they break their fast with a meal called “iftar”.

General Facts about Ramazan in the world

In many Muslim countries, restaurants remain open during Ramadan with a sign stating that food is only available to non-Muslims.

Charitable donations and activities reportedly see an uptick during Ramadan.

In some Muslim-majority nations, there has been an increase in traffic accidents during Ramadan due to decreased alertness and focus from fasting.

Important Facts About Ramadan in the world

In 2017, President Donald Trump broke a two-decade-long tradition by not hosting an Iftar dinner to observe Ramadan.
Ramadan is also known as the “month of the Quran.”

Each year, many in the Gulf region are admitted to hospitals for fasting-related illnesses such as indigestion, peptic ulcer disease, and gastroenteritis during Ramadan.

The name “Ramadan” is a popular choice for Muslim boys.

Out of the world’s 7 billion people, approximately 22% or 1.6 billion observe Ramadan by fasting.

Fasting during Ramadan can be good for mental and physical health if done correctly. It can also help clean the body.

ISIS has encouraged more attacks during Ramadan and often calls it the “month of holy fighting.”

In some Muslim countries, not following Ramadan can result in jail time. For example, six people in Algeria were imprisoned for four years for breaking their fast too early. However, many Muslims in the United States and Europe are okay with others not observing Ramadan.

The two main groups of Islam, Sunnis, and Shiites, break their fasts differently during Ramadan. Sunnis usually break their fast when the sun is down but the sky is still light. Shiites break their fast when the last light of the day has disappeared.

End of Ramadan:

36. After the month of Ramadan ends, Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr. This celebration starts when the 10th new moon is sighted and involves prayers, feasts, gift exchanges, and other celebrations. It’s a time to come together with family and friends to mark the end of a month of fasting and self-control.