Islam and Ramadan

Moroccan Culture Series

Although Muslims practice Islam in various ways every day, the holy month of Ramadan is an especially religious time. One of the pillars of Islam is fasting during Ramadan. During daylight hours for this entire month, Muslims must voluntarily abstain from indulging in physical desire, which includes

• eating
• drinking
• smoking
• chewing gum
• having sex

Exceptions

Certain groups of people are exempt from fasting, but are expected to make up the missed days during a later month:

• Menstruating and postpartum women*
• Pregnant and breast-feeding women
• Travelers
• Anyone who feels sick or weak

*These women are considered unclean and are forbidden to pray, thus forbidden to fast. The three other groups have the option to fast if they so desire.

In addition, children before puberty do not have to fast, although their parents usually choose to gradually introduce them to all-day fasting by having them fast for a half-day.

The many purposes of Ramadan

Self-control

Muslims learn self-control by ignoring their desires for physical fulfillment like food, drink, sex, etc., and thus open themselves more fully to spiritual fulfillment.

Reminder of spiritual duties

The holy month of Ramadan is an opportunity for Muslims to remember what and why they believe and to fulfill the pillars of Islam. For example, those who have reduced the frequency of their prayers during the other months of the year will be reinspired to pray five times a day during Ramadan. Alms-giving is also much more common during Ramadan.

Unity

Since all healthy Muslims are expected to fast, a certain unity is felt both between Muslims around the world and between neighboring Muslims of all classes (income levels). This unity between classes also reminds Muslims of their alms-giving duties.

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At sunset, Muslims break the fast with a feast called ftor (breakfast). They eat a second large meal at midnight and a third, smaller one just before dawn. At dawn the fasting begins all over again.

Ramadan lasts for about 29 days - one lunar month. Islam is based on a lunar calendar, which is slightly shorter than the solar calendar, and thus the dates of Ramadan are slightly earlier every year.

Page 2 - Ramadan in Morocco

Index to Moroccan Culture Series