Ramadan Facts

Who Must Fast?

· Fasting is compulsory for those who are mentally and physically fit, past the age of puberty, in a settled situation (not traveling), and are sure fasting is unlikely to cause real physical or mental injury.


Exemptions from Fasting (some exemptions are optional)

· Children under the age of puberty (Young children are encouraged to fast as much as they are able.)
· People who are mentally incapacitated or not responsible for their actions
· The elderly
· The sick
· Travelers who are on journeys of more than about fifty miles
· Pregnant women and nursing mothers
· Women who are menstruating
· Those who are temporarily unable to fast must make up the missed days at another time or feed the poor.


Special Events

· Special prayers, called taraweeh, are performed after the daily nighttime prayer.
· Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night of Power" or "Night of Destiny") marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) first began receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. Muslims believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadan.


Traditional Practices

· Breaking the daily fast with a drink of water and dates
· Reading the entire Quran during Ramadan
· Social visits are encouraged.


Eid ul-Fitr ("Festival of Fast-Breaking") Prayers at the End of Ramadan

· Eid begins with special morning prayers on the first day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan on the Islamic lunar calendar.
· It is forbidden to perform an optional fast during Eid because it is a time for relaxation.
· During Eid Muslims greet each other with the phrase "taqabbalallah ta'atakum," or "may God accept your deeds" and "Eid Mubarak" (eed-moo-bar-ak), meaning "blessed Eid."

Publication by The Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)