The holy month of Ramadan has once again arrived and over 1.6 billion Muslims all over the world are observing the sacred period of fasting and deep contemplation of their relationship with Allah.

The most sacred month of the year for Muslims commenced on June 5 and is expected to end on July 5. Muslims believe it was during Ramadan that Allah revealed the first verses of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on a night known as "The Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr ).

Salim Hitimana, the Mufti of Rwanda, told Sunday Times that during the entire month of Ramadan Muslims fast everyday from sunrise to sunset observing the normal five times prayer routine at 5am, 12pm, 3pm, 6:05pm and 7:30pm.

"To fast, one has to be a Muslim and of age. The ill, pregnant or those nursing children, menstruating, traveling, young children and the elderly are given special dispensations not to fast during Ramadan. They can either repay the days they went without fasting or compensate them with acts of generosity to fellow human beings. We believe that the rewards from Allah are the same in that case,” he said.

Ramadan is designated to be a time of spiritual discipline and Muslims are expected to engage in extra prayers, be more generous and to study the Quran. The Mufti of Rwanda explains that Ramadan is about more than going without food or water.

"The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) show that those who help the needy receive blessings in abundance from Allah. Ramadan is also about Muslims increasing their acts of charity, striving to live peacefully and in companionship with their communities. Since we don’t break off during work for meals, it’s also a time where Muslims can be more productive in their work than before,” Hitimana said.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, the others being, testimony of faith, five times a day prayer, charitable giving and making pilgrimage to Mecca. 

Hassan Mutuhe, a Muslim media practitioner, explains that Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.

"Muslims use the lunar calendar and a new month begins when a new moon is sighted. Unlike the solar calendar where the day begins at midnight, our days begin at sunset. We don’t do it only for Ramadan — whenever a new moon is sighted, we begin a new month,” he says.

At such a significant period in the lives of Muslims who are part of the society as parents, students, employees and so on, it is paramount that their communities accommodate the Muslims as best as they can. 

"Co-workers should not engage their Muslim colleagues in situations where there could be arguments, gossip, slander or any other abusive talk. Students in boarding schools should be offered special treatment; they should be offered sahur (daku) — the meal taken just before sunrise. In the UK, the education system changed their timetable and postponed exams which were due this Ramadan. It was a considerate move to give Muslim students ample time to revise as Ramadan comes with many challenges,” he says.

On the significance of Ramadan to Muslims, Mutuhe says Ramadan is revered above all else because it is the fourth pillar of Islamic faith. 

He adds that fasting strengthens their power of self-control so that they can resist wrongful desires and bad habits and therefore guard against evil.

"It is a month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In the last 10 days of this month, there’s Laylat-al Qadr (The Night of Decree). The Quran says this night is better than 1,000 months. Allah directly answers every supplication made in this month; He closes the gates of hell and opens the gates of paradise,” he says. 

Mutuhe adds that a fasting person should endeavor to multiply his or her efforts in doing good because each good deed in Ramadan is rewarded 10 to 700 times more than in other ordinary days.

During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to curb negative thoughts and emotions like jealousy and anger. Swearing, complaining and gossiping, during the month are also prohibited. 

Nuru Muneza, a young devout Muslim, says he always looks forward to Ramadan.

"Ramadan for me is a time of reflection and renewal of my relationship with Allah. I know that there is a magnitude of blessings for those who do good which is even further multiplied during Ramadan. I find immense comfort and joy in sacrificing food for the benefits of communing with the Almighty,” he says.

Aliyah Umuhoza, on the other hand, says she treasures Ramadan for the thought of knowing that more than a billion and half fellow Muslims all over the world are united by the same serene spirit of peace and joy that Ramadan brings.

"During this special month we are united by sacrifices we make during Ramadan to do good and seek Allah in prayer. To me, this is the epitome of unity for any society and I am grateful to be a part of the Muslim community, especially at such a time,” she says.

Hitimana also emphasises that Islam is a religion of peace, explaining that those who cause terror in the name of Islam go against everything that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stood for.

"We are called to emulate the character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and understand that Islam teaches respect and preserving the dignity of life, tolerance, co-existence and respect for all,” he says.

"It is forbidden in Islam to take a life. Those who do so in the name of Islam are misleading and really harbour ulterior ideologies that don’t reflect the true teachings of Islam,” he adds.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw