Wednesday 07-04-2021 - 10:54

This blog was written by Abdur-Rahman Adegbite-Adegboyega, the current Interfaith Representative from the University of Bristol Islamic Society (BRISOC).

 

What is Ramadan?

It goes without saying that Ramadan is important for Muslims. It is one of the five main Pillars of Islam, along with Shahadah, Salat, Zakat and Hajj.

From the evening of Monday 12 April (depending on the sighting of the moon), Muslims around the world will abstain from food, drink, and all other haram desires for 29 to 30 days from Fajr (morning prayers) until Maghrib (evening prayers). We will also be engaging in supplementary prayers following Isha. In this month, we aim to reach a heightened level of consciousness through self-restraint that brings us closer to Allah and gain the power to excel in life.

 

How has COVID-19 affected us?

This year's Ramadan may be especially difficult for students due to the warmer weather and Covid-19 lockdown. Longer and hotter days combined with restricted access to mosques can be an unfamiliar strain for many Muslims with a large workload.

In Ramadan before COVID, we often prayed Tawareeh at the local mosques and engaged in group iftars, ranging from small group iftars between households, to larger events like the Annual Grand Iftar in Bristol.

Without events like these, it can be easy for some students to feel isolated, especially if circumstances like COVID-19 prevent them from being able to join their family. Fortunately though, groups of people are taking initiatives to support students through Ramadan this year.

People are offering tips and advice on social media, as well as organising virtual events including the university's virtual iftar on Thursday 15 April.

Many Muslims will also take to reading Quran as the blessings from simple acts such as reciting the Quran are multiplied seventy times.

 

What can non-Muslims do to help?

Ramadan is a time for many Muslims to engage in self-reflection and come closer to Islam, so it may be possible that you may find more students making more requests to take prayer breaks during online sessions or events. This can be a daunting request to make so please be lenient and non-judgemental if you find some students are taking short 5–10-minute breaks during online sessions. For Maghrib these breaks may be longer as Muslims will need to break their fast too.

For reference, the prayer times in Ramadan often fall between the times:

 

Fajr - between 03:30 and 04:30 - about an hour before sunrise

Zuhr - between 13:00 and 13:15

Asr - between 17:00 and 17:15

Maghrib - between 20:00 and 21:00

Isha (And Tawareeh) - between 21:45 and 22:45

 

Please note that the Zuhr and Asr are the most relevant times. If a Muslim is with you in person, you can also help by providing them a small space to pray and if possible, facilities like a sink to allow them to make wudu.

 

What does it say in the Quran?

In Verse 183 of Surah Baqarah of the Quran:

• “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint.”

In Islamic history, Ramadan is also significant as it was the month when the Quran was revealed, and humanity was able to master their understanding of humanity.

In Verse 185 of Surah Baqarah of the Quran:

• “Ramadan 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'.”

 

There is also Laylatul Qadr, a single night during the last ten days of Ramadan where in Verse 5 of Surah Qadr, it is said to be “all peace until the break of dawn.”

It also says in Verses 3 & 4 of Surah Qadr:

• “The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. That night the angels and the 'holy' spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every 'decreed' matter.” 

 

In Sunan an-Nasa’i, Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) states that anyone who spends the Night of Power praying out of hope and reward will have all of their sins forgiven. On this night, many Muslims spend all night in the mosque praying, or at least spend the night at home praying.

 

If you have any questions or queries, feel free to join us at the Virtual Iftar Event on the 15th of April, or message the BRISOC team directly.

 Alternatively, you can read from resources such as:

• www.quran.com
• www.sunnah.com
• Yaqeen Institute
• Bayyinah Institute