Ramadan starts tonight

[Fedupfatandfrumpy]

Ramadan starts today and I often get lots of questions about it at work from colleague so thought I'd open up an AMA

Why are you not allowed to fast if you're on your period ?

Fasting can be physically challenging for some. Periods can also be difficult and painful for some women and the aim of fasting is not to put yourself through unnecessary difficulty which is why there is an exemption for those on their period.

Ramadan Mubarak 🎉

I didn’t realise that you couldn’t drink water during the fast.. that must be hard. Do you drink lots in the morning?
Thank you.. this is interesting.

I find this fascinating although the idea that a child begins fasting once a girl has had a period and a boy a wet dream is a bit "ugh" for me in that I feel it's almost advertising those changes have happened and I certainly wouldn't have wanted people to know I had started my periods.

Also I didn't realise you couldn't drink water. So is the fast absolutely nothing to eat/drink during the fasting hours?

I admire your ability to practice your beliefs and hope Ramadan brings you blessings.

Thank you for the thread op. Do you set an alarm early in the morning to eat and drink before sunrise?

Also as per pp, isn't it a bit embarrassing for young people when they first start fasting as it's essentially having to tell everyone they've started their period or had a wet dream?

It did make me laugh when a Muslim student wanted to make a bet with me one year in Ramadan.

It made me think maybe he wasn't as religious as he wanted to be seen.

I didn't know Ramadan moves. I know Easter moves dates each year and why, but what sets the dates and subsequent changes to the time of Ramadan?

Thank you!

I do try and make sure I fit in 1.5-2 litres of fluids within the hours that we are allowed to eat and drink. I struggled a little when Ramadan was in the height of summer as the eating window was narrow but it's easier this time.

Our neighbours are Muslim and currently observing Ramadan. They've also been really supportive during a currently difficult time for our family. Is there anything (food or otherwise) that we could drop over to them that would be especially appropriate or appreciated? Great thread by the way. Really informative so thank you for posting.

@Fedupfatandfrumpy I was thinking earlier that it must be easier in the winter when the days are shorter but also if it's hot the not drinking must be much harder

I admire your ability to practice your beliefs and hope Ramadan brings you blessings.

Thank you. That's such a kind thing of you to say and genuinely made me smile.

Sorry I realise that the info I gave re: puberty comes across rather 'ugh' when you read it in isolation but I didn't meant it like that. What I meant is, that fasting becomes obligatory at the point of puberty. Puberty in Islam is defined as when a girl starts her period and if she hasn't had her period by the age of 15 then it would be when she is 15 lunar years old. For a boy, puberty is reached when he's had a wet dream and if not then it's said a boy reaches puberty at the age of 15 lunar years which equates to around 14.5 years old. Essentially, most people don't really know whether somebody is fasting because they want to fast or whether it is obligatory for them so there's never this thought of oh she must have started her period or he must have had his first wet dream. Most children in practicing households choose to fast before it becomes compulsory for them. Equally as there are rules of respect around eating around others who are fasting if you're not, it's never quite clear as to who is fasting and who isn't unless you're having an open conversation about it! The reasons for this include not making it difficult for people who are fasting or tempting/goading them but also to not single out anybody for why they are/aren't fasting. Essentially it's between you and God. I hope that makes sense and apologise if I've rambled on.

The fasting includes no food or water. You're not allowed to chew gum or anything like that either.

I saw on another thread that listening to music would break your fast. I hadn't heard that before is that a commonly held belief?
Also do you generally lose weight during Ramadan, I'm sure some people would see that as an added benefit?
Thanks

Hello @Pip1402,

I've explained the puberty thing a little bit more in response to @thegirlyupnorth and hope that explains it a little better than my previous explanation. I forget that sometimes without additional background information or context, some of the rules and rituals seem strange! I've always been inquisitive and so with a lot of the teachings of Islam, I've tried to look in detail at the logic behind various rulings and separate them from cultural traditions. I started my period as a child, coincidentally also aged 9. Thankfully the fasts were short as Ramadan was in the winter! However, I remember I was already choosing to fast at the weekends and holidays so it was an easy transition.

I do set an alarm to wake up and eat something small ahead of sunrise. I usually have water and something wholesome like porridge with a mixture of chia seeds. There are occasions when I don't wake up. Weirdly I don't feel any hungrier on days where I've not woken up to eat!

The dates on which Ramadan falls depends upon the number of days in each lunar month. There are 12 months in the Islamic calendar of which Ramadan is the 9th month. It all depends upon the moon but generally moves around 10 days earlier each year 🌝

Thank you for this thread OP, I have often wondered about what fasting is like! Do you know anything about the history of the practice - is it as ols as Islam itself? And can you explain why it gets 2 weeks earlier each year? Is it counted to every 50 weeks?

And Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family! 😊😊

Ah just seen that you have answered my question about the timing!

Is it appropriate/appreciated as a non-Muslim to share a greeting relating to Ramadan or Eid to those who are fasting/celebrating? And if so what is the appropriate greeting? I have a few clients who are Muslim and would wish me a happy Christmas etc so would like to reciprocate but not if it would be inappropriate. sorry if I sound naive

Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear that you and your family have been going through a difficult time. I hope and pray things get easier for you.

It's a really nice idea to send something to your neighbours and I'm sure they will greatly appreciate it. As it's the start of Ramadan, you could always send a card that's blank on the inside and write Ramadan Mubarak. Traditionally dates are the first thing that is eaten each day at the time of breaking fast. If you have time, stuffed dates always make a really nice gift and are very easy to make. Depending on where you are in the country, they can also be quite easy to buy. Equally, I am sure your neighbours will appreciate any gift you give to them. A nice box of biscuits or chocolates is also nice to gift at the end of Ramadan for eid.☺️

A temporary senior member of staff with us at the moment is Muslim and observing Ramadan. Is there anything that can make his time easier? Is it true that you can't listen to music? We have music on at my work so be interesting to know.

Hello! Listening to music doesn't break your fast. If you're choosing to actively listen to music by putting on the radio or going to a concert then at most you'd get a minor sin for it but even in those instances it's not something that would break your fast. If you're somewhere that is playing music and you happen to be there then you wouldn't get sin for it as it's not something that's your fault.

Both my husband and I tend to lose around 1st during Ramadan and it is welcomed as I struggle with sticking to diets etc. I have lots of non-Muslim friends who fast for weight loss reasons and they find it works for them. I'm unable to stick to it all year round but find it relatively easy in Ramadan x

@Ratatouille1 I forgot to say, it seems to be a commonly held belief across some south Asian cultures but it's actually untrue. Culture and religion are often confused by people. I've had many 'battles' with various family and friends about culture vs religion over the years. 🙈

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for your obvious compassion. Ramadan Mubarak.

You're most welcome!

Fasting forms one of the fundamental pillars of the religion. It's an act of worship designed to show dedication to God by overcoming your desires and showing self control. It also has many additional health and spiritual benefits including empathising with the poor, cleansing your body (detox), focusing your mind and lots more. During Ramadan there is an additional prayer of thanks that is also prayed each day. It's not compulsory but it is emphasised upon. ☺️