Resources for Ramadan and Eid 2020

Resources for Ramadan

April 21, 2020 - 12:00pm to May 24, 2020 - 7:45pm

Ramadan and Eid 2020

Sawm is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which requires fasting from dawn to sunset in the month of Ramadan.  This year, Ramadan will begin on the evening of Thursday, April 23 lasting 30 days and ending at sundown on Saturday, May 23.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a month of fasting, prayer, giving and self-evaluation observed by Muslims. The month lasts 29-30 days depending on the sightings of the crescent moon. https://www.islamicfinder.org/ramadan-calendar/

The first revelation of the Qur’an came to Muhammad during the lunar month of Ramadan. Every year during this month, Muslims perform a daily fast (sawm). They are obliged to abstain from food, water, sexual activity and evil thoughts during the daylight fasting hours. Ramadan is a time of discipline for the spirit as well as the body, a time to cultivate patience and commitment. The fast also reminds the faithful of those who are hungry every day, underscoring the need for social justice. Many Muslims perform special prayers and attend Qur’anic recitation sessions every night. Ramadan is also a time of community solidarity, as meals and festivities are shared with family and friends after dark.  The Harvard Pluralism Project, www.pluralism.org/the-five-pillars

Laylatul Qadr “often translated as the Night of Power, or Night of Decree, or Night of Glory falls in one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. This is the night in which God began the revelation of the Quran. Worship done in this single night is equivalent to 84 years—basically, a lifetime—of worship outside this night. It has the potential, when approached with sincerity, to gain a person grand forgiveness and mercy from God. One narration says, “Whoever prays on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven”[Bukhari and Muslim].” Retrieved from Whyislam.org

  • AlQadr(Decree) is the 97th chapter of the Qur'an with 5 verses.
  • Animated video from Yaqeen institution explains the reasons of the importance of Laylatul Qader
Impact of Coronavirus on Ritual Practices during Ramadan
Fasting

Why Muslims Fast during Ramadan

For the vast majority of the faithful there should be no impact on the tradition of fasting.  However, Muslims are exempt from fasting during illness and such a ruling would naturally extend to those who are suffering from the coronavirus.

Taraweeh prayer

This additional, communal nightly prayer during Ramadan will likely be suspended as congregational prayers have been cancelled during the pandemic. In many mosques, the call of prayers is still held 5 times a day with a command to pray at home, Makkah Live provides a 24/7 live streaming of the Holy mosque in Mecca. Follow Imam Omar Suleiman on Instagram for daily prayers and inspiration during Ramadan ImamOmarSuleiman.

Iftar Meal

Ramadan is a time in which Muslims make a special effort to spend time with their families, particularly during the iftar meal. To compensate for this lack of social interaction, some Muslims are using technologies such as Zoom to arrange communal online iftars.

Charity

How to give during the pandemic

Islamic Relief USA provides relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world.

Inner City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) is a community organization that fosters health, wellness and healing in the inner-city by organizing for social change, cultivating the arts, and operating a holistic health center.

Zakat Al-Fitr (Charity)

‘Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan, every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs must pay zakat al-Fitr. The head of household can also pay zakat al-Fitr for their dependents such as children, servants and any dependent relatives.

The minimum amount due is the equivalent of about 2 kg of wheat flour, rice or other staple foodstuff, per member of the household, including dependents, even if they do not live in the same house. Approximately $7 per head is a safe estimated amount.’  Retrieved from Islamic Relief Worldwide

‘The significant role played by Zakat in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society. Zakat al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of kinship and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have’

Donations and Zakat Al-Fitr can be made through local mosques, any authorized organization such as Islamic Relief Worldwide, Islamic Relief USA.

Eid al-Fitr

The Festival of Fast-breaking is a three day celebration which marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims gather together to pray and eat with friends and relatives. 

This year, Eid al-Fitr in 2020 falls on Sunday, May 24.

  • Note that in the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the sunset of Saturday, May 23.

Due to the Coronavirus, much of the congregational prayers will be shared via streaming.

-Middle East Eye, Ramadan and Coronavirus