Ramadhan: A Non-Muslim and Beginner's Guide to the Fasting Month

Source www.carbonated.tv

Quick Facts

Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which revolves heavily on the lunar cycle. On this month Muslims are obliged to fulfill one of the 5 basic acts in Islam:

1. Declaration of faith that there is only one God and Muhammad S.A.W. is one of his Messengers.
2. Prayers during Fajar (dawn), Zohor (noon), Asar (afternoon), Maghrib (dusk), Isyak (night).
3. Zakat or Charity.
4. Fasting during the month Ramadhan.
5. Hajj or Pilgrimage to Mecca for the able-bodied Muslims.

Minimum Requirements

Fasting is not mandatory to all Muslims as they must fulfill these minimum requirements. Not fulfilling any of these exempts them from fasting on that period during Ramadhan. The missed fasting days may be replaced after the month ends.

1. Has reached puberty.
2. Able to fast where physical, time, work, environment allows it e.g. laborers are exempted, so are those in times of war or famine.
3. Not on travelling mode.
4. Not facing risks for fasting, exempted groups include the sick, injured, menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding moms.

Things that Cancels or Voids Fasting

It's not just about abstaining from food and drinks from dawn to dusk. These are the simple terms and conditions for one to successfully complete a day of fasting.

1. No foreign objects into any orifices (food and drinks, cigarettes, other's genitals (read: sex), finger stuck up your nose etc. Needles or syringes are exempted if it's for medical purposes which include blood donation, taking blood test, injection etc)
2. No swearing or harming of others either physically or verbally. Gossiping or lying to someone is considered harming other people. That includes posting falsehood over social medias, so be careful of what you spread to others.
3. No overindulgence or sinful acts. This is the month to practice moderation so no sleeping well into 12pm just to "conserve energy", shower for hours and other morally wrong acts. If you see someone eating or sexily clothed women or topless men wearing only Abercrombie jeans, then simply ignore or look away because it's a test so no need to ridicule and scold people (refer to condition Number 2).

What does a Muslim typically do during a day in Ramadhan?

Let's take a look at what a day usually looks like, so you can avoid calling your Muslim friends at the wrong hours or invite them dinner at the right time.

The Dawn

Summary: People who are half-awake eat early breakfast before the Hunger Games start at the break of dawn.

This is how you look like waking up at 4am to have your sahur. Source www.telegraph.co.uk

Usually 1-3 hours before dawn, or anytime before dawn, Muslims will wake up to have an early breakfast called sahur. Think of it like a bear eating up before hibernation, so each individual can have a little as only water to a full-course buffet to prepare themselves for the day. I myself survive on 2-3 H20 and 5 Hup Seng Cream Crackers with Tuna, but oat-based food like Quacker Oats and Weet Bix are the best source of nutrition which can last you well into 4pm.

After sahur, ideally the day activities begin with the dawn prayers followed by whatever you should be doing but *cough* most people that I know proceed with going back to sleep.

The Day

Summary: The Hunger Games begin, and no one can kill nor harm anyone physically or verbally.

Ah yes the typical questions arising during the fasting month. Source www.dasbiber.at

From the beginning of dawn until noon and into late evening, Muslims will be trying their best to adhere to the fasting terms and conditions above in order to be better and learn to be humble by experiencing hardship and nothingness.

So if you encounter such people who are swearing, finger dancing around the rim of their nostrils, buying two large plastic bags worth of food from the Ramadhan Bazaar, then you can remind then nicely to keep the spirit of moderation, good image and holiness. Those you see and hear on Facebook about people scolding non-Muslims who are eating has turned their fasting meaningless. Those you see tapao food like they are going to have a 5-star hotel buffet at home but in the end threw away 70% of the food too has turned their fasting pointless. 

The Dusk

Summary: People eat to break their fast when the sun sets and then perform a 2-hour late night singing and yoga session.

Sometimes this happens when you are late for breaking of fast or prayers. Source www.reddit.com

Muslims break fast or have iftar at sunset and this the most interesting part; sunset differs in all locations so Muslims break their fast at different times. If people in Sibu breaks at 6:42pm then those in Kuala Lumpur breaks at 7:32pm due to the time zone (Earth is not flat yea!).

After iftar some Muslims will flock to their local mosques or suraus to perform prayers for about 2 hours. Yes, that is a solid 120 minutes worth of worship. Why? Because during this month all acts of kindness or worships have a multiplier combo bonus so the late night worship is a major bonus for those seeking it. 

Why is it so long? The Ramadhan-special prayer is called terawikh and this takes the majority of the 2 hour time slot. Terawikh itself has 20 rakaat or rounds. 1 round of a prayer involves standing while reciting Quranic verses, then a bow and finally a prostate before standing up for a new round again. However, most Muslims will leave after the 8th round as that is the minimum rounds required, leaving those behind to complete all 20 rounds.

That's It!

There you go! You have successfully gained the knowledge of what is and what happens during Ramadhan. Congratulations!