What is the month of Ramadan? When it starts and ends in 2024

Ramadan is the most important period of the year for orthodox Muslims, which is accompanied by fasting. For all who practice Islam, this is a time of spiritual purification, reading the Koran and working on oneself. During Ramadan, believers do not eat or drink anything during the daylight hours and have a number of other restrictions in their daily lives.

In 2024, Ramadan began after sunset on March 10, so the first day of fasting fell on March 11. The fast lasts a month and will end with the Ramazan Bayram holiday on April 10.

What prohibitions and restrictions fasting imposes on Muslims, who can not observe fasting, traditions related to meals, how to support someone who observes Ramadan and how to fast safely for health “UP. Life” told:

• Murat Suleimanovmufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine;
• Ayder Rustemovmufti of the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Crimea;
• Asan Bujurovrestaurateur, owner of a chain of Crimean-Tatar cuisine establishments;
• Faisal SubhanLecturer in Biomedical Sciences and Islamic Affairs Adviser at the University of Plymouth.

What is Ramadan in Islam

The month of Ramadan is very important for every Muslim. It is one of the pillars of Islam along with the Shagada (symbol of faith), daily prayer, almsgiving and Hajj (pilgrimage).

It is celebrated every ninth new moon, so fasting can occur at any time of the year. Every year, Ramadan moves back 10 days on the calendar, its dates are determined in advance and this fixed calculation is followed by the majority of Muslims in the world.

“This is the month of revelation. It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an began to be revealed.

In addition, it is believed, according to Islamic tradition, that the Torah, the Gospel and other scriptures were also sent down in the month of Ramadan. This is the month of cleansing from sins“he says Ayder Rustemovmufti of the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Crimea.

The cleric of the Crimean Muslims says that fasting begins from the moment the first rays of the sun appear on the horizon.

Ramadan ends with the breaking of the fast, Ramzan Bayram. On the morning of the new moon, believers gather for a joint festive prayer,

“We thank the Almighty, read a prayer so that the Almighty accepts our fast, and after that we begin the celebration“– he says Murat Suleimanovmufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine.

“In the mosque, we are making a holiday program for children, for local believers, so that they can experience this holiday. It can be gifts, toys for children, entertainment, trampolines, or something else to entertain children. And also everyone goes to visit someone, they go to their parents to congratulate them, prepare festive meals“.

What are the rules during Ramadan fasting

The rules of behavior during Ramadan are defined in the Koran. During the 30 days of fasting, Muslims completely abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex every day from dawn to sunset. Restrictions are lifted for the dark period of the day, after the evening prayer (daily obligatory prayer, which is performed 5 times a day).

It is also not possible to:

• chew the cud;
• to take medicine (if there is such a need, this day is not included in fasting and it should be “returned” as a debt after Ramadan);
• consume any alcohol (alcohol is prohibited not only during fasting, but also in general, in Islam)
• quarrel, fight, curse.

Smoking is also prohibited during fasting. This applies to electronic cigarettes and vapes as well. Faisal Subhan, lecturer in biomedical sciences and adviser on Islamic affairs at the University of Plymouth, says to reduce nicotine cravings, you can use nicotine gum at mealtimes or use a nicotine patch.

In the month of Ramadan, there is no ban on moderate fun (excessive fun and very loud laughter are generally considered undesirable in Islam), it is not forbidden to cut hair and nails and sleep during the day.

Children can fast as they wish, as long as it does not harm their health. Fasting becomes mandatory from the age of 15.

Dietary and behavioral restrictions apply to all adult men and women, but there are exceptions. Muftis of the Muslims of Ukraine and Crimea say that if a person cannot fast due to important circumstances, he must return the “debt” later.

“A person who is sick has the right not to fast, but later to make up for the missed day. This also applies to those who travel. In the conditions of war, our soldiers, warriors, defenders of the country may not fast if it is difficult for them to do so. But if the Almighty gives such an opportunity, then they should fast for the missed days on other days“– explains Ayder Rustemov.

In general, Those who have a good reason can “postpone” the fast to a time when it is possible:

• pregnant women;
• breastfeeding mothers;
• women during menstruation;
• people who don’t feel well, get sick;
• those who travel;
• military;
• those who fast but have to miss a day or two.

If the debt is more than one day, it is not necessary to return it all in a row. You can divide the days in time and fast when health and circumstances allow.

It happens that a person ate or, say, smoked at a prohibited time of the day. Then the fasting day is not counted and it must be fasted later, after Ramazan Bayram. On the other hand, if a person ate or drank carelessly because he forgot, there is no need to return the day of fasting.

“An important detail: if a person ate and drank during fasting because he simply forgot, then there is nothing terrible about it. Prophet Mohammad directly said: let a person continue fasting, then the Most High himself fed this person during fasting“– adds Ayder Rustemov.

They are released from fasting people with incurable diseases (such as, for example, diabetes) and the elderly, if the state of health does not allow them to abstain from water and food. Instead, for every day they miss, the Koran instructs them to feed one poor person.

“If there is one financial opportunity, then this person must feed other people who need it. This can be done immediately – gather at least 60 people. We have iftar (breakfast dinner after evening prayer – ed.), when people gather together. And this person can make dinner by himself. Or feed one person in need every day. If a person is very poor, then he can share even a small thing that he has. Even if there is one date for someone, it will already be counted with the permission of the Almighty“, he explains Murat Suleimanov.

How Muslims eat during Ramadan

In fact, during Ramadan, Muslims eat twice a day – breakfast (Tamjit) and dinner (Iftar). During the permitted time of the day, you can eat everything as usual – there are no restrictions on meat or dairy products. Water and drinks can also only be consumed after sunset and before dawn.

According to the words Faisal Subhan, many Muslims prepare their traditional national dishes, often with roasts and sweets, for when they can eat. Instead, he suggests replacing such foods with healthier alternatives to sustain yourself during the fast. In particular, use fresh fruits instead of sweets. They saturate the body with glucose, which is especially important for the brain.

The majority of Muslims in Ukraine are Crimean Tatars, so on the tables of Ukrainian Muslims, you can often find dishes of Crimean Tatar cuisine: pilaf, lagman (homemade noodles with meat broth, vegetables and meat), manti, samsa, chebureks, shorbalar (soups with legumes, spices and lamb), baklava, Turkish delight and dried fruits.

Asan Bujurovthe owner of a chain of Crimean-Tatar cuisine establishments, says that there are certain Ramadan traditions related to food, which are not directly related to religion and the Koran, but rather to national customs.

Dates and water are traditionally placed on the table. Everything else is optional, there are no dishes that are prepared specifically for breakfast and dinner during Lent.

“Usually, for Iftar, as well as for Temjit, very hearty dishes are made, such as yantikh (cheburek with meat or cheese, fried on a metal surface without oil), kobite (meat pie), so as not to feel hungry for longer. The Crimean Tatars still have a tradition of frying something in oil on Arif Kunyu (the day that precedes the holy day of breaking the fast, Ramazan Bayram), so that the smell of fried food wafts through the air. It is believed that the souls of the dead at this time are saturated with these smells in anticipation of the holiday. Probably, this belief has pagan roots, because in Islam nothing is said about the souls of the dead. We also had this tradition in our family, before the holiday, my grandmother always fried chebureks and we always looked forward to it“, the restaurateur shares.

How to fast safely

Scientist Faisal Subhan says that people who have health problems but want to fast should consult a doctor and pay attention to their health.

To feel good, at dawn, before the morning prayer (traditional prayer), Faisal Subhan advises to eat food rich in proteins, fats and complex carbohydrates. Fats will slow down digestion and make you feel full longer, while complex carbohydrates, such as beans or whole grain cereals, will provide energy for the whole day.

During Ramanadu, you can do sports, but the intensity of training should be reduced. If you feel tired, weak or dehydrated, it is better to stop. You can add a pinch of salt to the water you drink at dawn – this way the liquid will stay longer in the body.

How to properly congratulate on Ramadan

Clerics of Muslims of Ukraine and Crimea say that you can congratulate both the beginning of Ramadan and its end, but the end of fasting itself, Ramazan Bayram, is a holiday.

If you have a Muslim friend or acquaintance who observes Ramadan, you can show your support and respect for his fast by refraining from eating or drinking in his presence. This will be an appropriate expression of attention and support.

You can congratulate on the holiday of breaking the fast with the simple words “Congratulations on Ramazan Bayram”. It will also be appropriate to wish “may the Almighty accept your fasting, all your good deeds.”

Lyudmila Panasyuk, “Ukrainian Pravda. Life”