Every time Ramadan begins, it means a period of reflection, purification and fasting for all Muslims. This is difficult if, for example, you have to practice a sport or are pregnant. Fortunately, the imams have a broad and creative heart in this. But what exactly does Ramadan entail?
The origins of Ramadan
Ramadan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar) is the holiest period of the Islamic year. In the year 610 AD, the Quran was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad. The prophet received the revelation while fasting in a cave. This is where Ramadan originated.
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The rules of Ramadan
The rules of Ramadan are very simple. From the appearance of the new moon until the disappearance of the moon, healthy Muslims aged 12 and over are not allowed to eat or drink anything between sunrise and sunset. Sick, pregnant and menstruating women, soldiers in wartime, young children and travelers are exempt from this fasting obligation. Muslims believe that all gates to hell are closed during this holy month and therefore the devil is unable to tempt them in any way. The logical consequence is unconditional discipline, charity and self-control. Lent therefore has a broader meaning for Muslims than abstaining from food and drink. Other pleasures such as smoking, sex, watching illicit things and listening to music are also prohibited during the day. The intention is that believers put the importance of material things into perspective, that they cleanse their hearts and resolve to spend the rest of the year mainly serving others. Mohammed regularly said that Ramadan is a period of both self-growth and self-denial. When the young crescent moon is visible again after 29 or 30 days, i.e. on the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan ends with Eid-al-Fitr. Muslim families then indulge in sweet foods , give each other gifts and ensure that the poor and lonely in their environment can also share in the luxury.
Ramadan is shifting
Muslims base their time calculation on the pure lunar calendar. The average length of a lunar month is about 29.5 days. A lunar year therefore lasts 354 days, or 11 days less than a solar year. The inevitable consequence is that Ramadan is held about a week and a half earlier every year. And that in turn influences how difficult the ordeal is. Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset. When Ramadan falls in the middle of winter, the sun is above the horizon for no more than eight hours. You can then have your breakfast and dinner at the normal time. Currently, Ramadan falls during the longest days of the year, making the fasting period much longer. Muslims living above the Arctic Circle currently have a problem. During the Arctic summer the sun does not set for several weeks. Strictly speaking, a Muslim is not allowed to eat or drink anything there for thirty days. A person can survive without water for a few days at most, so that won’t work. The theologians have therefore determined that Muslims in foreign geographical places can simply adhere to the solar cycle of Mecca. In 2032, Muslims living in the north will have a different problem. Ramadan then falls around the winter solstice. The sun does not rise above the Arctic Circle, so they should be allowed to eat all day long. Of course they also adhere to the daily rhythm of Mecca.
Ramadan has a cleansing effect
Ramadan cleanses the mind, but is also good for physical health. This is evident from many studies. Muslims see improvements in their blood pressure, glucose balance and cholesterol profile during the month of fasting. In some people with type 2 diabetes, the symptoms disappear. A growing group of scientists therefore advise to observe the Ramadan eating pattern all year round.
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