Ramadan India 2017: Origin, traditions, and all you need to know about it

When is Ramadan 2017?

The holiest month for Muslims across the globe has arrived, and in India the first day Ramadan is today, May 28, 2017. Ramadan is expected to end on June 25, 2017 in India, although the dates may vary depending on the sighting of the moon.

Why is Ramadan celebrated?

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the fundamentals of being a true practising Muslim and is a time for intense prayer and religious devotion, with Muslims encouraged to observe five daily prayers throughout the day other than reciting the Quran.

It is believed that on the 27th day of Ramadan, God revealed the Quran (the Holy book of Islam) to the Prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago.

This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the Shahada (Muslim declaration of faith), Salat (Namaz or daily prayer), Zakaat (charity) and performing the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). The month lasts around 29-30 days and the Muslims will fast between dawn and dusk.

Muslims are also cut down on other vices such as gossiping, swearing and fighting, Ramadan is a time for prayer, kindness, self-resolution and forgiveness.

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from the Fajr or morning prayer i.e. dawn to Maghrib or evening prayer i.e. dusk. This fasting is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.

However, one is exempt from fasting if they are sick, pregnant, travelling, suffering from old age and children as well. Although children who have attained puberty are expected to fast.

Often people will donate money to charity during Ramadan and help to feed the hungry.

How does one break fast?

As soon as the call to Maghrib or evening prayer is heard, Muslims say a little prayer and break their fast with water and dates. After this they pray Maghrib salat ​and continue to break their fast with a large, meticulously prepared, sumptuous feast i.e. Iftar or Fatoor.

This generally includes an array of different fruits, cooling drinks, sweets and savoury delicacies are prepared among other preparations. Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, and preparation for Iftar starts in the afternoon itself in most households.

The Ramadan time-table is religiously followed by Muslims for Suhoor or Sehri (meal before dawn) and Iftar or Fatoor (breaking fast) timings. One is intended to finish the Suhoor before the morning Fajr prayer and only commence eating after the Maghrib i.e. evening prayer. 

Why do the dates of Ramadan change each year?

The Islamic calendar is based on the moon’s cycle, not the typically used solar calendar, which is why the Islamic dates move back by 11 days each year.

Taraweeh, special prayers during Ramadan:

​When the month of Ramadan begins, Muslims enter into a period of discipline and worship: fasting during the day, and praying throughout the day and night. During Ramadan, special evening prayers are conducted during which long portions of the Qur'an are recited. These special prayers are known as taraweeh.

The prayer can be very long (well over an hour), during which one stands upright to read from the Qur'an and performs many cycles of movement (standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting). After each four cycles, one sits for a brief period of rest before continuing, this is where the name taraweeh (rest prayer) comes from.

The holiest night: Laylatul Qadr

The end of Ramadan is marked by intense prayers as Muslims seek to have their prayers answered during Laylatul Qadr or the Night of Power, is considered to be the holiest night in the year. It usually falls on the 27 day of Ramadan and commemorates the night that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

This night is described in the Quran as, "better than a thousand months". Muslims believe that on this night the blessings and mercy of Allah are abundant, sins are forgiven, supplications are accepted, and that the annual decree is revealed to the angels who also descend to earth.

The final feast: Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the start of the next month on the Muslim calendar, Shawwal, it translates to "festival of breaking of the fast". The day of Eid is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast.

It is a highly anticipated event, and is observed with great enthusiasm globally, the day is celebrated with grandeur, people buy new clothes, visit friends and relatives and prepare massive feasts. Delicious food like biryani, kebabs among others are cooked up. The signature desserts in India are the delicious sevaiyan or sweet vermicelli and sheer korma i.e. sweet vermicelli slow cooked in milk, spices and several nuts.

Muslims decorate their houses with flowers and lights, and indulge in a day of eating the most mouth-watering preparations to bid goodbye to the holy month of Ramadan.