Ramazan

Ramazan is another name for Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset each day. The term Ramazan (pronounced with a z sound at the end) is especially used in countries where Arabic is not a main language, such as Pakistan and India.

The word is also used to refer to the daily fast observed during this month.

During Ramazan, Muslims who fast start the day by eating a meal, called suhoor, before sunrise. The fast is then broken every night after sunset with a meal called iftar. The strictness of the fast varies among Muslims, and not every Muslim fasts during the month. Children, elderly people, and people who have a health condition or are sick or pregnant are not required to fast, and often eat and drink during the day.

Along with the daily fast and other forms of abstinence, many Muslims observe Ramazan by praying, attending services at their mosque, trying to give up bad habits, and performing charitable acts.

The day after Ramazan ends, the festival known as Eid-al-fitr begins. Its name means “festival of the breaking of the fast.”

Ramazan always lasts either 29 or 30 days, because it’s based on the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar. Because of that, the dates during which it is observed vary from year to year.

The first records of the spelling Ramazan in English come from the 1500s. It comes from the Arabic word ramaḍān, literally meaning “the hot month,” from ramad, meaning “dryness.” However, Ramazan isn’t tied to a particular season. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar that consists of 354 days, so its 12 months slowly cycle through different seasons.

The tradition of fasting during Ramazan is done in commemoration of the story of the Qur’an (the sacred text of Islam) being revealed to the the Prophet Muhammad.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Ramazan?

• month
• fast
• iftar
• observe
• Eid-al-fitr
• Qur’an

Ramazan is more commonly used in countries where Arabic is not the main language. The term Ramadan is more common worldwide. While it is a time of fasting, Muslims often look forward to it as a time of religious and cultural importance.

Peace be upon you.
May your prayers be answered. Wishing everyone a blessed Ramazan 🌙 #RamadanKareem

— Kubbra Sait (@KubbraSait) April 24, 2020

May this ramazan heal the distance betweem you and your family. May your suhoor start with a smile. May your iftaar table be filled with delights and gratitude. May the everlong fights finally resolve. May the saddened hearts finally brighten up. May love finally prevail. Ameen.

— Muhammad Irtaza Asif (@thoughts_irtaza) April 7, 2021

Every single second in ramazan is my favourite. https://t.co/7BApNSYP99

— Baeeman (@Hijabfatima_92) April 6, 2021

True or False?

Ramazan always lasts for 30 days.