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Ramadan is the month of obligatory Muslim fasting. This is one of the five pillars of Islam, the foundations of religion, sacred to every believer. The other four pillars are the five times daily prayer (prayer), the recognition that there is no God but Allah (shahada), the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) and the annual tax (zakat).
When does Ramadan start and end in 2022?
The Muslim calendar is based on the lunar calendar, so every year the start and end dates of Ramadan change. Holy month 2022 starts at sunset on April 1st and ends on May 1st. The next day, May 2, believers celebrate the holiday of breaking the fast – Eid al-Adha.
From the point of view of traditions and religion, it is correct to start fasting on the evening of April 1, at sunset. All the rules of strict fasting begin to operate at night. By the same principle, fasting should be completed – at sunset on May 2, when Muslims gather in mosques for collective prayer.
The holiday of breaking the fast (in Arabic “Eid al-Fitr”, and in Turkic “Eid al-Fitr”) for a religious Muslim is much more long-awaited than his own birthday. He, like the ringing of a bell, announces that a person has coped with the most difficult test in the name of God. Uraza is the second most important Muslim celebration after Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice, which coincides with the last day of the pilgrimage to Mecca.
They begin to prepare for the end of Ramadan in advance: a major cleaning of the house and yard is carried out, people prepare festive dishes and the best outfits. The distribution of alms is considered an obligatory ritual. This compensates for the mistakes that a person could make during fasting. At the same time, they donate either money or food.
Essence of Ramadan
Ramadan is first mentioned in the Quran. According to the text, “you should fast for a few days.” By the way, it was in this month that the holy book of Muslims itself was sent down.
Fasting in Islam is one of the strictest among all world religions. The main prohibition provides for the refusal to eat food and even water during daylight hours. To be more precise, you can’t eat and drink from suhoor to iftar.
Suhoor – First meal. It is advisable to have breakfast before the first signs of dawn, when the morning dawn is not yet visible. It is generally accepted that suhoor should be performed as early as possible, then Allah will reward the believer.
Iftarsecond and last meal. Dinner should be after the evening prayer, when the sun has disappeared below the horizon.
Previously, the time of suhoor and iftar was determined in each family, or in the mosque, where they traditionally hung out the time for breakfast and dinner. But now the Internet has come to the aid of Muslims. You can see the time of suhoor and iftar according to local time on various sites.
Do’s and Don’ts in Ramadan
The most obvious prohibition during the month of Ramadan is associated with the refusal of food and water, but, in addition, Muslims are prohibited during daylight hours:
- smoking or sniffing tobacco, including smoking hookah,
- swallow any phlegm that has entered the mouth, as this is already considered drinking,
- intentionally induce vomiting.
At the same time, Muslims are allowed to fast:
- take medicines through injections (including getting vaccinated),
- bathe (provided that water does not get into the mouth),
- kiss (but nothing more)
- brush your teeth (you can’t swallow water, of course),
- swallow saliva,
- donate blood.
It is not considered a violation of the fast to accidentally get food or water into the mouth. Let’s say if it’s raining or you, by misunderstanding, swallowed some midge.
It is important to remember that during the holy month it is especially sinful to violate the basic prohibitions of religion. Islam does not accept the consumption of alcohol and pork, regardless of whether it is done during the day or at night.
Popular questions and answers
Who can not fast?
What should you eat for suhoor and iftar?
During iftar, it is important to drink enough water, which was lacking during the day. According to traditions, the evening conversation during Ramadan is a real holiday, and it is customary to put the best dishes on the table: fruits and pastries. At the same time, of course, you can’t overeat. And doctors, in turn, advise avoiding fatty and fried foods for iftar. Such food before going to bed will not bring any benefit.