Your Ultimate Guide to Ramadan 2022

RAMADAN KAREEM - An Overview

Ramadan kareem is all that you can hear all around the muslim community across the world. It is the ninth and holy month of the islamic calendar and it is observed as a month of fasting and worshiping the god. The saying ‘Ramadan Kareem’ reflects the concept of having a blessed holy month or a generous one. It translates to ‘Generous Ramadan’ or as we also say it Ramadan Mubarak. 

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, other four being declaration of faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage. It is obligatory to fast for all Muslims from sunrise to sunset except for people who are chronically ill, elderly, breastfeeding, menstruating and other acute illnesses. Ramadan is also called Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramathan and Ramadhan. In India and the United States, both Ramzan and Ramadan are synonymously used. 

According to Muslims faith, it has been said that all the significant scriptures and knowledge of the Islamic world was revealed in the month of Ramadan. This includes all the scrolls of Abraham, Psalms, Gospel, Torah and the Quran. Therefore, the holy month of Ramadan begins on the direct visual observation of the new moon and thus, the fasting of Ramadan months begins in the Islamic world. 

Ramadan is one of the biggest Islamic holidays of the year for all the Muslims across the world. This is the biggest festival across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the whole Middle East and North Africa region. It is also observed globally wherever Muslim communities live. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, Iraq and Indonesia being the major muslim countries can be found observing the month of Ramadan at a nationwide scale.

WHAT IS RAMADAN FASTING?

Ramadan fasting is purely related to cleansing one's body for the whole month. Muslims are required to hold fasts each day in the Islamic month of Ramadan starting from dawn and ending it at sunset. They are also required to abstain themselves from engaging in sexual relations, etc. In short, every sinful act, behavior, desire, etc has to be controlled and that’s the lesson that Ramadan teaches to every Muslims in this holy month. It is the sacrifice that they make for the whole day, each day in this holy month of the Islamic calendar called Ramadan. 

Those who are physically ill or mothers who are breastfeeding are exempted to keep Ramadan fasting as it would become inconvenient in their circumstances. Similarly, even elderly or women going through their menstrual cycle are also exempted.  Ramadan is meant to be followed by all the Muslims but nowadays it has become less obligatory and people chose to keep the fasting depending on their lifestyle. For example, those who need to travel far distances daily for work do not keep fast as this would take a toll on their health and thus, making it more of a problematic situation than its spiritual motive. 

Muslims end Ramadan fasting every evening with the iftaar time when they all gather together for an evening lunch. They also pray to Allah for this food and it is known as iftaar dua before breaking the fast. After 

TRIVIA:

Ramadan 2022 will be the first year every Muslim will be breaking their Ramadan fasting with their friends and family since the last two years of the coronavirus pandemic. 

HOW LONG IS RAMADAN?

This is the question that everyone has outside the muslim community. Typically, the Ramadan month lasts like all the other months i.e. almost around 30 days. It begins with the appearance of a new crescent moon and ends with the next new moon. Ramadan is the ninth of the Islamic calendar and it is the most venerated month of the Hijri calendar. Ramadan 2022 according to their islamic lunar calendar 2022 shall end on May 2, 2022 as Eid al Fitr 2022 will be celebrated. 

Ramadan fasting begins as muslim observe the ninth new moon of their year since Muharam. There are different ways about how muslims track the moon sighting to consider the commencement of Ramadan holy month. As per most of the muslims, they track the moon sighting above the holy site of Mecca. On the other hand, some muslims observe the moon as per their local area. Whereas, few muslims also depend on astronomical predictions as that varies depending upon weather conditions. 

There are also few rules and regulations with regards to ramadan fasting as to have a satisfying and blessed ramadan, a muslim is obligated to follow a month-long fasting. However, if any muslim breaks the fasting, depending upon their household beliefs and their level of islamic traditions, they would need to payback in some way. In some manner, an additional 60 continuous days of fasting is a must for those who intentionally break the Ramadan fast. If these 60 day ramadan fasting is not possible, then a muslim must do Kaffarah as it is similar to a charity where they have to feed the hungry and needy. 

HOW TO DO RAMADAN DECORATIONS?

Like all the usual Indian festivals, Ramadan decorations are quite similar where colorful LED lightings are hung and flower decorations are done. In most of the Middle Eastern region, decorations with ramadan colors like purple, lavender and dark oceanic blue. However, even decorations with white flowers and fabric decor are considered for household purposes. Other than home decorations, mosques and other worshiping places in the islamic traditions are beautifully styled with fresh marigold flowers as well seasonal flowers like orchid and tulips depending upon the financial conditions of the specific area where the mosque is settled. 

IT ALL ENDS WITH EID CELEBRATIONS

Ramadan fasting ends with the sighting of the 10th new moon of the lunar new year and thus, the tenth month i.e. shawwal begins with the first day being Eid al-fitr. This traditional month-long fasting ends with the biggest feast ever on the evening of Eid al Fitr where all the family and friends gather together to celebrate this festivity with lots of food and delicacies. In modern times, even after Ramadan decorations, more additional decor is done for the evening of Eid al fitr. Even this day is marked with exchange of gifts between family members just as a gesture of bonding and respect. 

FAQs

WHY DO MUSLIMS FAST DURING RAMADAN?

Muslims do fasting to cleanse themselves, their souls and their physical body as well. Keeping a daily fast refers to expressing their compassion to those who have lesser sources i.e. those who are socially not as per the same status. In such way, every muslim expresses their gratitude towards the one entity - Allah. Ramadan fasting, otherwise known as sawm, is all about teaching muslims the values of self-control, dedication and commitment. 

WHEN DOES RAMADAN START?

This year 2022, the holy month of Ramadan as per the islamic moon calendar 2022 is expected to begin on Saturday, April 2, 2022 as that night would be the new moon sighting. 

WHEN DOES RAMADAN END?

This year 2022, the holy month of Ramadan as per the islamic lunar calendar 2022 is expected to end on Monday, May 2, 2022 as the Eid Al Fitr 2022 would begin with the new moon sighting starting a new month. 

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