What is Ramadan?

Ramadan started today. More precisely--since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar--Ramadan began last night with the sighting of the new crescent moon. It will end a month from now, when the next new crescent moon ushers in the start of a new lunar month. The month of Ramadan is the major Islamic occasion of the year, and during this month Muslims are supposed to abstain from food, any kind of drink, smoking and sex from sunup to sundown. It is all supposed to be a part of a time of greater focus on God.

If you're wondering how this month of fasting came to be, the practice of Ramadan was established in the Qur'an. Surah (chapter) 2, verse 185 of the Qur'an makes clear the requirement of fasting for this month. "Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later..."

Two verses later the parameters of this fasting are set out. It is to last from sunup to sundown, and it is to involve not just abstinence from food, but from drink and sex too. It is also supposed to teach Muslims to discipline or control themselves. "Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and you are their garments. Allah knows what you used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what Allah Has ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while you are in retreat in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by) Allah. Approach not nigh thereto. Thus Allah makes clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint."

Here in Jordan, Ramadan changes the normal rhythm of the entire country. Because eating is allowed between sunset and sunrise, many Jordanians get up to eat breakfast before sunrise, and then head back to bed and sleep in later than usual. Those who work more than likely go in a little later than usual as well. Business hours change, and many restaurants, shawarma and falafel stands are open for fewer daytime hours than usual, as there is not much point in serving up fresh food when the great majority of the country is officially not supposed to be eating. By sunset, those who can be are home with their families, readying for the call to prayer to ring out, indicating that sunset has occurred and eating is allowed. During this time the streets are bare and quiet, as the great majority of people are at home. This nightly breaking of the fast is an important family and community occasion, and not just a normal nightly dinner. It is somewhat like having a special Christmas dinner with family, except during Ramadan, it happens every night for a month. The unique rhythm of Ramadan continues after dinner, as people go out and enjoy the night, choking the streets with cars and staying up later than usual. A day of denial is over, and the night is to be enjoyed, before another such day begins.