Ramadan and Fasting (15/15)

Eid ul Fitr is the Festival of Fast-Breaking. Celebrations at the end of Ramadan begin with special morning prayers on the first day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan on the Islamic lunar calendar. It is forbidden to fast during Eid because it is a time for relaxation. During Eid Muslims greet each other with the phrase “Eid Mubarak” (eed-moo-bar-ak), meaning “blessed Eid”. Some also say “May God accept your deeds [you performed during Ramadan]“.

VOCABULARY:

Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.

Sawm — Arabic word meaning “fasting.”

Suhoor — the pre-dawn breakfast meal eaten before beginning the daily fast.

Iftar — the evening meal, taken after sunset to break the daily fast.

Tarawih — special prayers offered nightly during Ramadan, in which approximately 1/30th of the Qur’an is recited each night.

Eid al-Fitr — Festival at the end of Ramadan, in celebration of completing the month of fasting. This takes place on the 1st day of the next month, Shawal.

Muhammad — a prophet and righteous person believed by Muslims to be the final messenger of God, whose predecessors are believed to include prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus, among others.

Gabriel — Muslims believe that among God’s many creations are angels. Gabriel is believed to be one of the most important angels, as he was responsible for transmitting God’s divine revelations to all of the human prophets, ending with Muhammad.

Allah — the Arabic name for the One God.

“Eid Mubarak” — a greeting used by Muslims during the Eid holidays. It means “Holiday Blessings!”

Makkah (Mecca) — the sacred city of Muslims, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, where the Ka’bah (house of worship built by Abraham) is located.

Masjid — Muslim house of worship. (also known as “mosque.”)

Monotheism — belief in One God.

Polytheism — belief in many gods.

Qur’an (Koran) — the holy book of Muslims containing God’s revelation to Muhammad.

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