There are about 7.8 billion people in the world. And around 25.6% of them; 2 billions, are fasting every day for an entire month of Ramadan.
What is Ramadan? And what are the key points a non-Muslims should know? This is what we will find out!
Here we will learn the following:
This is how to celebrate Ramadan as a non-Muslim
When Is Ramadan?
Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. It is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar year calendar. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control and gratitude.
Ramadan doesn’t have a fixed time in the Gregorian calendar. It bounces around because the Islamic calendar is lunar. A month is a full cycle of the moon. That’s why the precise dates change from year to year. But Ramadan is always the 9th month in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
Learn More About the history of Ramadan
Why Is Ramadan a Special Month?
Ramadan is a special month to Muslims for many reasons. A main reason is that fasting Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. Muslims believe that Ramadan is a month of spiritual charge for all the year.
Allah (God) says in the Qur’an:
Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful. When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.” (Quran)
How Do Muslims Fast?
Muslims abstain from food, drink and intercourse from dawn till dusk. Then they break their fast by sharing the meal with their families, friends or neighbors. For more about Muslim fasting, read:
Hadiths and Quran verses about Ramadan
Can a Non-Muslim Do Ramadan ?
Yes a non-Muslim can do Ramadan. But pay attention because Ramadan is more than the external practice of fasting, Ramadan and fasting are more about the heart and the deeds of the heart.
Deeds of the heart include faith, monotheism and glorification of God, patience, reliance on God and showing obedience to him, finding peace and meaning in heart and so on.
Maybe a non-Muslim can’t share the faith with Muslims, missing out on the most critical part of Ramadan. Still, sharing the outer experience can bring them closer to understanding Islam, Muslims and what makes them different.
Ramadan Greetings for Non-Muslims
The most common Ramadan greeting is ‘Ramadan Kareem’. Kareem means generous.
The greeting of ‘Ramadan Kareem’ can also work as a Ramadan message for non-muslim, who wants to show courtesy.
Wishing for a blessed, fruitful and times filled with generosity is always good for everyone. Read:
Ramadan Rules for Non-Muslim:
If you have Muslim friends, you might want to pay attention to a few things to avoid misunderstandings.
1. Try to put yourself in Muslims’ shoes.
Some Muslims suffer from a misunderstanding of their non-Muslim friends through the month of Ramadan in some points:
2. Understand Muslims
We can’t drink coffee. Not even water. But we’ll walk with you if you want to take a break.
We may keep our distance from you due to Halitosis. You may try not to eat or drink for the entire day. That’s why we’re standing a foot away from you when we talk.
Some behaviors may seem out of normal but they are done for a purpose.
3. Join breaking the fast
You can join us for Iftar (which is the breaking of the fast after sundown). We like to make it a big communal meal. You should come. We will be happy if you share with us our happy moment.
How To Celebrate Ramadan As A Non Muslim?
Here are some tips on how to practice Ramadan as a non-muslim:
1. Try to eat your breakfast before dawn.
Muslims at Ramadan eat their breakfast about 30 minutes before dawn which is called ‘Suhoor’ as Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:
Take a meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking a meal at that time.” (Hadith)
Suhoor makes fasting easier. It helps to prevent nausea and headaches during the fasting hours, by regulating the level of sugar in the blood. It reduces thirst during the day. It makes digestion easy and efficient as well. Read also:
Ramadan Habits
How to lose weight during Ramadan
2. Try to make your supplication after dawn.
Ramadan is a month of worshiping Allah (God) and getting closer to Him.
After eating Suhoor, Muslims go to pray the Fajr Prayer at the dawn time. They feel peace and tranquility as it’s the best beginning for the day. Indeed, when you get closer to your God ‘Allah’, you get closer to your happiness.
3. Try Night worship (Tarawih).
Along with fasting the day, Muslims usually pray at night in the month of Ramadan. This integrates with the benefits of fasting of cultivating self-discipline, and most importantly getting closer to our Creator.
This night worship has multiple names. The word “Tarawih” is an Arabic word, literally means “rest and relaxation;” a term introduced later, after the prophet peace be upon him. However, it’s called (Qiyam al-Layl) meaning to stand up, and (Tahajjud) meaning praying late at night, in the Qur’an and authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad Sahih Hadith.
While praying, a Muslim humbles himself before his Creator and acknowledges His dominion and supremacy. Also, there is a special connection in prayer between the worshiper and God, where the worshiper stands listening with attention to the word of God, then bows down glorifying Him and speaking to Him by asking Him of His mercy, and making supplications.
Such connection touches the heart, purifies it, and gives it rest. Hence the name “Tarawih”. For more about night worships and special events in Ramadan, read:
To conclude, seek to connect to the Muslim community. Ramadan is about connecting and getting to know each other. Eat with Muslims, learn more about Islam and seek to come closer to your Creator in Ramadan. Start a conversation with our team if you have any questions about Ramadan, Islam, or any related topic. It’s available 4/7!
