2. • What is Ramadan
• The Significance of Ramadan
• Fasting: What is it?
Who Fasts?
Why?
• Typical Ramadan Activities
• Eid-Al-Fitr: Marking the end of
Ramadan
• Working with Muslim
colleagues
• Ramadan for Non-Muslims
• Conclusion
Ramadan
3. What is Ramadan?
• Ninth month of the Hijri calendar (Lunar
calendar).
• The lunar calendar is 11-12 days shorter than
the Gregorian calendar… therefore, Ramadan
travels throughout the seasons.
4. The Significance of Ramadan
Ramadan is the 4th
of the 5 pillars of Islam. They are:
1. Shahadah - Declaration of faith: ~ “There is no true
god (deity) but God (Allah), and Muhammad is
the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” ~
2. Salah - The five daily prayers.
3. Zakah - Purification of wealth: 2.5% of ones annual
savings goes to the poor. Zakah means to grow, increase
or to be pure in heart.
4. Siyam - Fasting during Ramadan.
5. Hajj - Pilgrimage to Makkah: Obligatory once in a
lifetime for those who are physically and financially able.
5. The Significance of Ramadan (cont.)
• Laylat al Qadr – Night of Power, which is said to
be better than a thousand months of worship. Can
take place any of the last 10 nights of
Ramadan.
• Month in which the Qur’an (the holy
book of Islam and Final Testament) was revealed.
• Special month of fasting, repentance, forgiveness,
increase in prayer, worship, and charity.
6. Fasting - What is it?Fasting - What is it?
• Fasting begins at dawn and ends at
sunset.
• Physical aspects:
Refrain from eating, drinking, smoking
and sexual activities during the
daylight hours which varies from 12 to
17 hours.
• Spiritual aspects:
Refrain from blameworthy thoughts
and acts e.g. foul language, vain talks,
7. Who Fasts?Who Fasts?
All Muslims are asked to fast, with theAll Muslims are asked to fast, with the
exception of:exception of:
• ChildrenChildren
• Unhealthy adults (mentally orUnhealthy adults (mentally or
physically)physically)
• Adults traveling long distances.Adults traveling long distances.
• Women who are menstruating.Women who are menstruating.
• Women who are pregnant or in post-Women who are pregnant or in post-
childbirth care or breast feeding.childbirth care or breast feeding.
8. Fasting - Why?
Primary objectives:
• To attain taqwa (God consciousness / piety) and
self discipline. The literal meaning of taqwa is
protection/prevention.
Spiritual benefits:
• Help Muslims draw closer to God through
increased recitation and reflection of the Qur’an
and additional prayers and worship.
• Aids in increasing of iman (faith) and ihsan
(sincerity and righteousness) and removal of riyya
(showing off).
• Trains the person to do praiseworthy acts e.g.
charity, kindness, generosity, patience and
forgiveness.
9. Fasting - Why? (cont.)
Physical benefits:
1. A fasting person
experiences
some of the
hardship of the
poor and
hungry.
3. Health benefits
including lowering
of blood sugar,
cholesterol and
systolic blood
pressure.
2. Improves strength,
endurance and self-
discipline through
physical abstentions.
10. Typical Ramadan Activities
• Reciting the Holy
Qu’ran.
• Suhoor - Meal
before dawn.
• Iftar - Breaking
of the fast at
sunset (to coincide
with the 4th
daily
prayer).
• Taraweeh -
Optional prayer
at night.
•Qiyam: Optional
late-night prayers,
especially in the
last 10 nights of
Ramadan.
•Visits: Social
gatherings, sharing
food and gifts with
neighbors, friends
and the poor.
11. Eid activities include:
• The feast marking the end of Ramadan.
• Eid prayer in the early morning
• Zakat-Al-Fitr: A prescribed amount of mone
obligatory on every Muslim, calculated to
feed one poor person in his region for one
day.
Eid-Al-Fitr: The End of Ramadan
• Visiting family,
friends, elderly,
neighbors and the
sick.
• Gift-giving especially to children.
• The greeting of that day is, “Eid
12. Working with Muslim Colleagues
Being in a Muslim country during Ramadan is a
great
Experience:
• Working hours in most companies end earlier
during Ramadan.
• Be understanding that it is the most special
month for Muslims.
• Be considerate and supportive to the Muslims
around you.
• Greeting colleagues by saying “Ramadan
Mubarak” is a very nice custom.
• If invited to share Iftar try to make it. You
will enjoy it.
13. Ramadan for Non-Muslims
Non-Muslims can easily participate and join in
the festivities. It would be highly appreciated
to contribute by:
a) Refraining from eating, drinking and
smoking in public.
b) Women are advised to dress modestly
(clothing that is too tight or too revealing is
considered inappropriate)
14. Conclusion
• Ramadan is the month of fasting.
• Physical abstentions and intensification of
acts of worships are a means towards
attaining the spiritual objectives of self
purification and improvement.
• Essentially a month of training used to
discipline/prepare oneself for the
remainder of the year and life.
• This is an opportunity for you to learn and
partake in the Islamic culture and
traditions.
