Ramadan

WHEN IS RAMADAN 2020


Ramadan 2020 is expected to begin on Thursday evening, 23rd April, 2020 (according to Saudi Arabia) and will end on Saturday, 23rd May, 2020. Eid al Fitr 2020 is expected to be celebrated on Sunday 24th May, 2020. This is the tentative date as the actual date of commencement of Ramadan 2020 is subject to the sighting of the moon.

WHAT IS RAMADAN?


Ramadan is the 9th month in Islamic calendar / Hijri Calendar. The length of the Month varies between 29 and 30 days depending on the sighting of the Shawwal Moon which leads to the much awaited Islamic festival of Eid ul Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal. Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and during this holy month, Al-Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.). The word ‘Ramadan’ is extracted from Arabic word ‘Ramad / Ramida’ which means scorching heat or drought. So word Ramadan represents abstinence from eating anything and drinking water from dawn till dusk.

FASTING IS OBLIGATORY DURING RAMADAN


Millions of Muslims across the world observe fast from dawn till dusk during the whole month of Ramadan as this is the most sacred month for the whole Muslim Ummah.
The word Fasting has different words in different languages around the world. It is known as ‘ayuno‘ in Spanish, ‘Jeûne’ in French, ‘Perhiz’ in Turkish, ’ صوم/ صيام ‘ in Arabic and ‘Puasa’ in Indonesian and Malay. The word ‘Sawm / Siyam’ (صوم/ صيام) means to abstain or refrain from something. It means to refrain from food, drink, sexual intercourse and all that which breaks the fast with only intention to do so for obedience to Allah. Whoever denies this obligation of fasting during Ramadan does not remain a Muslim.
The food eaten before the start of Fajr is known as ‘Suhoor’, and the one eaten after sunset (Maghrib Salah) is known as ‘Iftar’.
Fasting was made obligatory during the month of Ramadan on all adult Muslims in the Second Year of Hijri (Migration from Makkah to Madinah of Muslims). As Almighty Allah says in Quran:
“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:183)

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM FASTING


The Even though fasting in Ramadan is obligatory upon every able Muslim, Allah Has pardoned and excused certain people from the act of fasting if they are unable to fast during Ramadan due to certain legitimate reasons. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185), Allah Has clearly mention that sick people and travelers are exempted from fasting during Ramadan. However, in the light of this Aya and according to many scholars, following people are also exempted from fasting:
1- Physical or Mentally ill people.
2- Travelers.
3- Women during menstruation.
4- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
5- Elderly People (if fast will further deteriorate their health).
6- Children who have not reached puberty.
Common Factors which nullifies the Fast
Following are some common factors which nullifies the fast of a person:
1- Medication taken through nose or ears.
2- Intentionally vomit mouth full.
3- Water accidentally goes down the throat whilst gargling.
4- Ejaculate because of contact with a woman.
5- Swallow items that are not normally eaten, like a stick or a piece of iron.
6- Smoke a cigarette.
7- After eating or drinking forgetfully, one assumes his fast is broken and thereby continues to eat intentionally.
8- Eating after Suhoor / Subh Sadiq / Sehri (starting time of Fast before Fajr Salah) with the impression of it being before Suhoor / Subh Sadiq.
9- To make Iftar (time of breaking fast after Maghrib Salah) before sunset with the impression of it being after sunset.