Ramadan

Ramadan is the Islamic calendar's ninth month, and the time of the year when Muslims worldwide fast each day from sunrise to sunset. Why? Because their holy book, the Qur'an, tells them to--and because they believe the angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad during Ramadan and said "Iqraa!"

That word--usually translated as "Read!" or "Proclaim!" or "Recite!"--marks an epochal event in Islamic history. With it, Muslims believe, Muhammad began to receive (and recite) the verses that make up the Qur'an, the literal words of Allah.

To commemorate that angelic event, every Muslim must observe a month-long fast (sawm) to focus the mind, inspire sympathy for the poor, and bring the believer closer to God. "Fasting is prescribed for you," the Qur'an says, "even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain God-consciousness."

For any healthy person past puberty, the sawm isn't optional. In fact, it's one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which define the core of the faith. It's not just about food, either. Bad thoughts and deeds are verboten, too. So is sexual intercourse. Devout Muslims will tell you they fast "not with the stomach, but with the heart."

During the month, Muslims set their alarms early enough to eat a predawn meal, called the suhur. Once the sun comes up--by tradition, the moment you can tell the difference between a black thread and a white one--the fast period begins. Until dark, nothing should enter the mouth: no food, no water, not even tobacco smoke or chewing gum.

Believers are supposed to learn what it's like to be poor, and how little material things mean in relation to God. Not surprisingly, charity is a central part of the holiday. Muslim groups sponsor food and clothing drives to help the needy. Those who can't fast for permanent health reasons can make up the duty by feeding one poor person each day. (Those excused temporarily have to make up the fast days later.)

When the sun goes down, Muslims return home to break the fast with a meal called the iftar. Traditionally, they start with a light repast of dates and water, followed by the evening prayer. Then a full meal follows with family and friends--a nightly celebration that goes hand in hand with the daily deprivation. (In some Muslim cities, the consumption of groceries actually goes up during Ramadan.)

The day concludes with the night prayer, which many attend at the mosque. Often the 114 chapters of the Qur'an are divided into 30 segments, one of which is recited each night. That way, everyone has a chance to hear the entire Qur'an during Ramadan.

The last 10 days of the month are particularly important and reach a spiritual apex in the "Night of Power"--the night Muhammad is said to have received the first verses of the Qur'an. Many Muslims spend this night entirely at prayer.

With the next new moon, Ramadan comes to an end, and one of Islam's most important festivals begins: 'Id al-Fitr, the "Festival of Fast-Breaking." Celebrations and gifts follow special prayers at the mosque, as they will this week for millions of Muslims worldwide.

Mark Diller
Updated October 23, 2006