Salamun alaykum / Greetings of peace
This weekend I will be joining hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world who are going to publicly witness their submission to their Lord in observing the month of Ramadhan; the 9th month in the Islamic calendar. Ramadhan is one of the most important months of the Islamic year and is marked with fasting, devotional prayers and charity.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar which makes use of the sun to keep track of dates, the Islamic calendar uses the moon instead. Therefore, the month of Ramadan begins and ends with the sighting of the new moon.
Based on confirmation of sighting of the crescent, the month of Ramadhan in U.K. is expected to commence on evening of Saturday 1 March 2025 and end on Sunday 30 March 2025. The Eid ul Fitr festival marking the completion of this month is expected to be celebrated on Monday 31 March 2025.
I though perhaps you might find the below useful:
What is Ramadan? The month of Ramadan is honoured by all Muslims. Muslims rejoice the entire month's duration. It’s a Time for Fasting, Prayer and Unity.
You may like to view:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=6lZ8Bv08CnY&app=desktop
Sawm – Fasting – in the month of Ramadan is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. From dawn to sunset, Muslims who have come of age and who are neither travelling nor sick must abstain from food, drink and sexual activities.
There are many reasons why Muslims fast. It is in submission to the Divine Commandment as enjoined in the Qur’an so that one may be pious and learn self-restraint. Ramadan is a training period that sharpens an individual's self-control and will power. Abstaining from food, smoking and other physical desires for a month is an effective means to establish the control of the spirit over the body, allowing a person to live with control over their selves without being enslaved by physical inclinations and needs. Thus, fasting is much more than abstaining from food and water.
Fasting also gives the Muslim a small dosage of what it is like to be in need of food and water. There are many unfortunate individuals in our world today who are suffering and losing life due to conflict, strife, poor governance. Many die hungry every day because of lack of clean water or food. Giving up food and water allows the Muslim to feel sympathy for these people. The high rewards offered by God in this month for charitable works in turn encourage these feelings to be transformed into actions. Thus, Ramadan is also known as the Month of Giving. It is the time when the spirit of charity comes to the fore.
In terms of bad habits such as lying, backbiting, ridiculing and other corrupt behaviours, they need to be avoided since they are reasons that nullify the fast. The month of Ramadhan provides one an opportunity for reflection and self-improvement. Consequently, one is trained in this month to stay away from these practices so that once Ramadan is over, it will be easier for one to maintain the good qualities that they have been working on for an entire month.
A few Q&A
1. What can we say to our Muslim friends to congratulate them for the month of Ramadan?
It is common to exchange Ramadan greetings during the holy month. The most common greetings to congratulate the Muslims for the month of Ramadan are Ramadan Kareem, (have a generous Ramadan) or Ramadan Mubarak, which means “have a happy Ramadan” or “Have a blessed Ramadan.”
2. Why is the Muslim calendar based on the moon rather than the sun?
Since the lunar calendar is shorter than the solar calendar by about 11 or 12 days, events like Ramadan will cycle through the seasons. So, if for example Ramadan began on 1st June this year, it will begin on May 19 or 20 next year and so on and so forth. It will take about 30 years for Ramadan to begin around 1 June again. If we used the Gregorian calendar instead and Ramadan began on 1 June, then Ramadan would continue to fall on 1 June forever. This would be disadvantageous to the people living in hot countries as they would have to fast in the blazing heat of the sun on a yearly basis. So, the lunar calendar gives a chance for Muslims around the world to experience Ramadan during the different seasons.
3. If a fasting person swears, cheats, lies, is always late, drives like crazy etc, what is the point of their fasting?
The noble prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "If a person does not give up falsehood and acting according to it, God has no need for their giving up food and drink". In other words, if the fasting person does not give an effort to improve their character and conduct, then the fast is pointless in God's eyes.
4. What happens after Ramadan is finished?
The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a festival (Eid al Fitr). It is a joyous occasion and Muslims around the world celebrate it by giving charity, meeting family and friends, eating sweets and simply enjoying themselves. It is also a day when souls of departed family members are remembered with prayers.
5. What can we say to our Muslim friends to congratulate them on the completion of the month of Ramadan?
On completion of the month of Ramadan one can say: Eid al Fitr Mubarak, Sawm Maqbul (Have a blessed Eid festival, may your fasts be Divinely accepted).