Ramadan 2021 (Australia) is expected to begin on Tuesday, April 12, 2021 (according to ANIC) and will end on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Eid al Fitr 2021 is expected to be celebrated on Thursday, May 13, 2021. This is the tentative date as the actual date of commencement of Ramadan 2021 is subject to the sighting of the Moon.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the 9th month in Islamic calendar / Hijri Calendar. The length of the Month varies between 29 and 30 days depending on the sighting of the Shawwal Moon which leads to the much awaited Islamic festival of Eid ul Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal. Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and during this holy month, Al-Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. The word ‘Ramadan’ comes from the Arabic world ‘Ramad / Ramida’ which means scorching heat or drought. So the word Ramadan means abstinence from eating and/or drinking anything from dawn till dusk.
Fasting is Obligatory during Ramadan:
Millions of Muslims across the world observe fast from dawn till dusk during the whole month of Ramadan as this is the most sacred month for the whole Muslim Ummah.
The word Fasting has different words in different languages around the world. It is known as ‘ayuno‘ in Spanish, ‘Jeûne’ in French, ‘Perhiz’ in Turkish, ’ صوم/ صيام ‘ in Arabic and ‘Puasa’ in Indonesian and Malay. The word ‘Sawm / Siyam’ (صوم/ صيام) means to abstain or refrain from something. It means to refrain from food, drink, sexual intercourse and all that which breaks the fast with the sole intention of obeying the commandments of Allah.
The food eaten before Fajr time is known as ‘Suhoor’ and the food eaten after sunset (Maghrib Salah) is known as ‘Iftar’.
Fasting was made obligatory during the month of Ramadan on all adult Muslims in the Second Year of Hijri (Migration from Makkah to Madinah of Muslims). As Almighty Allah says in Quran:
“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:183)
Who is exempted from Fasting:
Even though fasting in Ramadan is obligatory upon every able Muslim, Allah has pardoned and excused certain people from fasting if they are unable to fast during Ramadan due to certain legitimate reasons. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185), Allah Has clearly mentioned that sick people and travelers are exempted from fasting during Ramadan. In addition to that, in the light of this direction and according to many scholars, following people are also exempt from fasting:
1- Physically or Mentally ill people
2- Travellers
3- Women during menstruation
4- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
5- Elderly People (if fasting will cause their health to deteriorate further)
6- Children who have not reached puberty
Guide for Schools; Guide for Students
Download Ramadan Guide for Schools (A simple guide to dealing with Muslim students during Ramadan)
Download Ramadan Guide for Students (A Simple Guide to Ramadan)
