This evening marks the beginning of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is based on the lunar cycle, and it marks the month when the first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, over 1,400 years ago.
Ramadan is a month in which many Muslims who are able abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations between a little before the sunrise prayer, Fajr, and the sunset prayer, Maghrib. Fasting (sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam, which also include the declaration of faith (shahada), daily prayers (salat), almsgiving (zakat), and the pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are capable (Hajj). The aim of fasting is to achieve greater “taqwa,” or consciousness of God.
The Office of Spiritual and Religious Life wishes all who are observing, a blessed and generous Ramadan. Please reach out if there are ways our office can support your faith and practices during this month and beyond.
Sources:
Chughtai, Alia. “Infographic: When is Ramadan 2022?” Al Jazeera Media Network.
“Resilience: Multifaith Calendar 2022.” Multifaith Action Society. 2022.
