Millions of Muslims around the world are gearing up to celebrate Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. This important annual observance in the Muslim community is commencing today, March 22, depending on the sighting of the moon.
A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation according to the Quran, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts 29 to 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. This year in Dublin, Ramadan will last 30 days - until April 21.
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Healthy adult Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn until dusk. Fasting is undertaken from early morning to sunset each day. Muslims believe the spiritual rewards of this practice are to be multiplied during Ramadan.
This is why they refraining not only from food and drink, but also tobacco products, sexual relations, and "sinful behavior", devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the Quran.
Islamic Centre Ireland, located in Blanchardstown will be holding a number of activities, including daily prayers, tea time and Quran readings.
If you're wondering what exactly are the rules of Ramadan, here's a list.
20 RULES OF RAMADAN
1. What fasting means
Fasting means no food or drink and also abstaining from bad habits and sins such as smoking, swearing, gossiping, arguing, fighting or being disrespectful, cruel or selfish. Sexual relations are also banned during the hours of fasting.
2. When to eat
Fasting runs each day between a pre-dawn meal (known as suhoor) and a meal after sunset (iftar).
3. Who fasts
All male and female adults (meaning anyone who has undergone puberty) must take part in fasting.
4. Exceptions
There are exceptions. Anyone who is ill or travelling during Ramadan and who doesn't take part in the fasting must make up the days of fasting later.
5. Women
Women who are pregnant, menstruating or breastfeeding don't have to fast. If you begin your period during Ramadan fasting, the fast is broken and you must make up for it later.
6. Elderly or ill
The elderly and chronically ill - including diabetics - are exempt from fasting, along with the severely mentally ill. Doctors can give advice on whether you are fit and well enough to fast.
7. What happens instead
Those with permanent health conditions instead help the poor to compensate for not fasting.
8. Making it up (fidyah)
When someone cannot fast in Ramadan and can’t make up the lost days afterwards (for example, due to being elderly or because of ill health, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating), then they should pay for someone else to be fed. This is known as fidyah.
9. Atonement (kaffarah)
Kaffarah (meaning 'penance') is the compensation you should pay if you deliberately miss or break a fast in the month of Ramadan without a valid reason.
To atone for the missed/intentionally broken fast, a person must fast continuously for 60 days.
If they are unable to do that, then they have to feed 60 poor people.
11. Forgetting to fast
The fasting is still valid if it's unintentionally broken when someone eats or drinks in a moment of forgetfulness, or if they are coerced into doing so.
12. Vomiting
The fast is broken if you make yourself vomit deliberately, but not if it's done suddenly or involuntarily. Do not swallow the vomit or that will definitely break the fast.
13. Sex
If you have sex during the fast, then you have broken the fast and must perform kaffarah (see no 9 above).
Any intimate contact must be done before or after the hours of fasting.
14. Children
Pre-pubescent children are not required to fast but some of them do it for some days, or parts of days, to train themselves in readiness for Ramadan as an adult.
15. Brushing teeth
You can brush your teeth and rinse your mouth but it's not permitted to swallow any water, or you would invalidate the fast.
16. Water
It's also fine to swim, bathe or shower - again, as long as you don't swallow any water.
17. Injections
If you need injections for medical reasons, it's perfectly acceptable to continue these and the fast will not be broken. Getting a Covid jab during Ramadan is perfectly acceptable.
18. Swallowing
Accidentally swallowing food or dust (such as airborne particles of sieved flour) or your own saliva will NOT invalidate the fast. You can also deliberately taste food, for instance if checking the seasoning when preparing a meal for the iftar later, as long as you don't swallow the food.
19. Purity
You must not be in a state of janaba. This is an Islamic term meaning impurity after sex, ejaculation or the completion of the menstrual cycle. A person in this state must wash so that they can become ritually pure and take part in Ramadan fasting and prayers the following day. The full-body cleansing ritual they must undertake is known as ghusl.
20. Eyes
Eyeliner and eye drops are allowed, and drops MUST be continued if someone is suffering glaucoma. The advice is to use drops before and after the fasting and use a technique to stop the fluid draining down into the throat.
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