Today, however, we have precise scientific calculations that tell us exactly when the new moon begins, and we don't need to wait until someone spots a tiny crescent in the sky.
In fact, according to the Oxford Dictionary of Islam , "The need to determine the precise appearance of the hilal [crescent moon] was one of the inducements for Muslim scholars to study astronomy. So, problem solved! Except that some Muslim scholars believe we should still wait until the slight crescent moon is visible in the night sky because that's what Mohammed said to do and that's the way we've always done it.
Others argue that Islam has a strong tradition of reason, knowledge, and science, and that if Mohammed were around today, he'd choose the more precise scientific calculations over sending the guy at the mosque with the best eyesight outside to squint at the night sky.
To make things even more fun, some argue that the whole world should just follow the official moon-sighting decrees of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and the location of its holiest sites. But not everyone thinks that's such a swell idea — especially rival countries like Pakistan and Iran, which balk at the idea of treating Saudi Arabia as the ultimate authority on anything having to do with Islam. All this means that each year, Muslims around the world get to experience the delightful lunacy of "moon-sighting fighting.
For the most part, no. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims fast during Ramadan. But there are some minor differences — for instance, Sunnis break their daily fast at sunset , when the sun is no longer visible on the horizon but there's still light in the sky , whereas Shia wait until the redness of the setting sun has completely vanished and the sky is totally dark. Shia also celebrate an additional holiday within the month of Ramadan that Sunnis do not.
For three days — the 19th, 20th, and 21st days of Ramadan — Shia commemorate the martyrdom of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed who was both the revered fourth caliph of Sunni Islam and the first "legitimate" imam leader of Shia Islam.
Ali was assassinated in the fierce civil wars that erupted following the death of Mohammed over who should lead the Muslim community in his stead. On the 19th day of the month of Ramadan, while Ali was worshipping at a mosque in Kufa, Iraq, an assassin from a group of rebels who opposed his leadership fatally struck him with a poisoned sword.
Ali died two days later. Ali is a hugely important figure in Shia Islam. His tomb in nearby Najaf, Iraq, is the third-holiest site in Shia Islam, and millions of Shia make a pilgrimage there every year. Although Sunnis revere Ali as one of the four "rightly guided" caliphs who ruled after Mohammed's death, they do not commemorate his death or make a pilgrimage to his tomb.
In some Muslim countries, it is a crime to eat and drink in public during the day in the month of Ramadan, even if you're not Muslim. Of course, this is not the case in the United States, where we enjoy freedom of and freedom from religion. And most American Muslims, myself included, don't expect the non-Muslims around us to radically change their behavior to accommodate our religious fast during Ramadan. I've had friends and coworkers who have chosen to fast along with me out of solidarity or just because it seems "fun" , and that was sweet of them, but it's not something I ever expect people to do.
Plus, they usually last about three days before they decide solidarity is overrated and being thirsty for 15 hours is not remotely "fun. All that said, there are things you can do, and not do, to make things a little easier for friends or colleagues who happen to be fasting for Ramadan.
If you share an office with someone fasting, maybe eat your delicious, juicy cheeseburger in the office break room rather than at your desk, where your poor, suffering Muslim coworkers will have to smell it and salivate if they even have enough moisture left in their bodies to salivate at that point.
Try to remember not to offer them a bite or a sip of what you're eating, because it's sometimes hard for us to remember that we're fasting and easy to absentmindedly accept and eat that Lay's potato chip you just offered us. But if you do, it's okay. We're not going to get mad or be offended unless you're doing it on purpose, in which case, what is wrong with you? If you're having a dinner party and you want to invite your Muslim friends, try to schedule it after sunset so they can eat.
Muslims don't drink alcohol or eat pork, but we usually don't mind being around it. Contrary to popular belief , we are not scared of or allergic to pork; we just don't eat it. It's not like we're vampires and pork is garlic. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast in Ramadan from dawn until dusk.
This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are also encouraged during the holy month. During the holy month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar. It is common for mosques to host large iftars, especially for the poor and needy. Nightly prayers called Tarawih are also held in mosques after iftar.
Different cultures have different traditions during Ramadan, whether it is a special food they must cook, or eating iftar with the extended family. They drink plenty of water at this time to see them through the day. After the sun fully sets, the fast is typically broken with water and dates, followed by prayers and a meal called iftar. It begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.
During the three days, Muslims attend prayers in the morning and visit loved ones and neighbours. Then they enjoy a delicious traditional feast with friends and family.
As a symbol of unity, Ramadan is a time when Muslims from all over the world come together to celebrate their faith. What are your favourite Ramadan traditions and customs? What impact will lockdown have? What is Ramadan?
It is considered one of the holiest Islamic months. How does this work in practice? Socially distanced Taraweeh prayers at a mosque in Cairo. How has Ramadan been different this year?
A small iftar meal in London, - lockdown has made large gatherings impossible. What else has changed? What are the rules for places of worship? How are the dates for Ramadan and Eid set? The beginning of Ramadan last year in Delhi, India. How is the start of Eid determined?
Who can fast during Ramadan? Some Muslims are exempt:. Those who are sick or ill and whose health will be affected by fasting Children - although some may begin to practise fasting from a young age Pregnant and breastfeeding women Menstruating women Travellers. What's Eid al-Adha?
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