THE first day of Ramadan for 2021, is on April, 13, 2021.

Muslims around the globe are celebrating the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, which is considered a period for spiritual reflection, fasting and prayers.

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are obliged to abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, so all Muslims who have reached puberty are expected to fast.

There are some exceptions such as women who are menstruating or pregnant and those suffering from illness.

Along with fasting, muslims must also abstain from bad habits and sins such as smoking, swearing, arguing, fighting or being disrespectful.

Sexual relations are also banned during the hours of fasting.

It is thought abstaining from these activities will lead to greater “taqwa”, or consciousness of God.

During Ramadan, Muslims are also encouraged to pray five times a day.

When was fasting introduced during Ramadan?

According to the Koran Prophet Muhammad said Islam is built upon five pillars and fasting was one of them in the 7th century.

And today millions of people all over the world choose to abstain from eating or drinking between dawn and sundown during Ramadan.

Fasting will begin at sunrise after suhur and then finish at sunset with iftar.

If a fast is broken, it will need to be compensated for by fasting at a later date.

Or they can pay “fidyah”, a religious term for donation of food or money.

According to the Islamic tradition, when someone cannot fast during Ramadan and can’t make up the lost days afterwards then they should pay fidya.

This means to pay for someone else to be fed.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the blessed month of Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr of 2021 is expected to be celebrated on May, 13, 2021. 

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