In the current year, Ramadan 2024 commences with the initial sighting of the crescent Moon on the evening of Sunday, March 10, 2024. Explore the practices and significance behind observing Ramadan.
What Is Ramadan?
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, holds significance as a sacred period commemorating the revelation of the first verses of the Qur’an by Allah through the angel Gabriel to Muhammad, a merchant, during a crucial moment in history.
Ramadan 2024: Overview and Dates
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, holds profound significance as a sacred period commemorating the revelation of the first verses of the Qur’an to Muhammad by Allah through the angel Gabriel. This year, Ramadan is anticipated to commence with the sighting of the crescent Moon on the evening of Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Traditionally, Ramadan is observed by fasting from dawn to sunset, engaging in prayer, reflection, and acts of charity. The fasting period is expected to end at sundown on Tuesday, April 9, with the celebratory occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the month-long fast with a joyous feast.
The exact commencement and conclusion times of Ramadan are determined by the sighting of the crescent Moon on the last night of the preceding month (Sha’ban), particularly over Mecca, Saudi Arabia, or through astronomical calculations. As a result, these dates may vary slightly and are subject to change based on lunar observations.
Ramadan 2024 | Fasting, Traditions, & Facts
- Ramadan is not primarily a period of penance but rather an opportunity for Muslims to exercise self-discipline, by ṣawm (Arabic: “to refrain”), one of the pillars of Islam.
- While ṣawm is commonly associated with fasting during Ramadan, it encompasses abstaining from food, drink, sexual activity, and all forms of immoral behavior from dawn until dusk. This includes avoiding impure or unkind thoughts, as they can negate the benefits of fasting just as much as consuming food or drink.
- Following the evening prayer, Muslims gather in homes or mosques to break their fast with an ifṭār meal, often shared with friends and family.
- Dates, by the tradition of Muhammad, or apricots, water, or sweetened milk typically commence the ifṭār. Nightly prayers known as tawarīḥ prayers, preferably performed collectively at the mosque, are observed during Ramadan, often involving the recitation of the entire Qurʾān over the month.
- In some Muslim-majority countries, work hours are adjusted or reduced to accommodate these evening acts of worship. According to the Qurʾān, eating and drinking are permitted until dawn, signaled by the distinction between light and darkness.
- Therefore, in certain communities, drums or bells are sounded in the predawn hours to remind individuals to partake in the pre-dawn meal, known as suḥūr.
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