Is Ramadan coming to an end? Do not lose heart! When the Ramadan fast is over.

The blessed month of Ramadan is coming to an end, leaving a good impression in the hearts of each of us. Each Muslim has his own attitude to this holy month ... His special feelings during worship, performing the taraweeh 1 prayer, receiving loved ones as guests, special pleasure even when enduring hunger, as well as a special feeling of pleasure and “joy” while breaking the fast. This is the joy about which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The fasting person will have two joys: one when he breaks his fast, and the second when he meets his Lord."

Always different

Whenever Ramadan comes, it leaves our memories and associations with each of us. And, surprisingly, these feelings differ in every locality. Every country, every city, even every village has its own Ramadan and leaves its own pleasant memories. As a result of my studies, I had to live in many regions and, of course, meet Ramadan in these places: in my native village, region, city, Arab countries, St. Petersburg, Turkey, Europe. Wherever I met the blessed month, it left me impressions that I will carry through my whole life. Ramadan has always been different from the rest of ordinary life in the same places. He seems to have his own parallel space relative to the rest of the time in a person's life.

The most amazing ...

... I found Ramadan here, in Europe, due to its colorfulness and diversity. Europe is rich in its cultural composition, also due to the large number of migrants from different Muslim countries. Some of them have settled here since the end of World War II as labor migrants. Others migrated from the countries of the former colonies. Recently, due to military conflicts, there have been many refugees from Arab countries. In general, many Arabs dream of living in Europe. And, of course, almost all Muslims who come to Europe form their own communities, open mosques, cultural and educational centers, communities, etc. liberal culture, such public projects help Muslims preserve their cultural identity, preserve their Muslim identity.

Ramadan among the Arabs

In the process of preserving culture, we can say that the most special place is occupied by the holy month of Ramadan. For the Arab peoples, Ramadan is not hunger until the evening and a meeting in mosques for taraweeh prayer at night ... In Ramadan, life in Arab countries changes almost completely. For every Arab there is a life in Ramadan and a life outside of Ramadan. It's like two parallel worlds. They change the regime of day and night, and in the evening, on Iftar 2, they treat everyday guests with a variety of all kinds of dishes. Things look different in Ramadan. The Arabs say that even the trade in the markets is taking on a different character.

In Ramadan, the cultural characteristics of the Muslim communities of Europe are especially fully manifested. If the rest of the time the Islamic life of European Muslims is distinguished only by Friday prayers, then the month of Ramadan for them is like an associative transfer to their homeland. Everything is identical to the "original", from worship in mosques to visits to relatives and friends, where you can taste food and sweets just like in your homeland.

France

In 2016, I was in France and spent part of Ramadan there. An hour after iftar, and this is already late at night, one could see people heading in droves to the mosques, which were overcrowded to overflowing. Some people stayed in mosques for i'tikaf 3, others went home to continue their nightlife. It felt like I went to Tunisia or Morocco.

In Germany…

... more colorfulness in terms of community diversity. Although the majority of Muslim groups here are formed by Turks. At the same time, there are quite large communities of Syrian Arabs, Bosnian Muslims, Albanians. Each community has its own mosque, its own program, corresponding to a particular culture of the month of Ramadan. It seems that, entering this or that house of Allah, you find yourself not in the mosque, but in the whole country of this or that community. One day you get to the Arabs, on the other - to the Turks, on the third - to the Albanians, Bosnians, Pakistanis ... And each of them has its own national iftar food.

Another feature of European (German) Ramadan is that almost all oriental cafes and restaurants are completely overcrowded by evening. If you don't book a table in advance, you risk being late with Iftar. People go with families, with friends.

Everyone is welcome in mosques in Europe

Nearly every mosque has "Ramadan tents" open or organized iftars are held inside the building. We are glad, of course, to all parishioners, and in some mosques they even give out business cards. You can see a special joy if a person of a different nationality comes: they begin to urgently ask to bring their fellow countrymen.

Sometimes iftars are organized in the courtyards of mosques - that is, almost on the street - this arouses great interest among non-Muslims. Europeans are a very curious people. They want to try and see everything for themselves. Therefore, they often come just out of curiosity, and when they are greeted with national food and sweets, they remain very pleased and leave delighted. In some mosques, non-Muslims are purposefully invited to the "tents of Ramadan". Naturally, seeing this hospitable atmosphere and smiling faces, ordinary people are imbued with warm feelings for Islam and Muslims. There were cases when there were non-Muslim Germans who observed Muslim fasting. Some - just to test themselves, some - for health reasons, some - out of a sense of solidarity.

Some Europeans who are not familiar with Islamic rites ask about Muslim fasting, and when they learn that it is necessary to abstain from food and drink for the whole day, they are surprised and imbued with respect, considering Muslims to be real heroes. Others, laughing, brush it off and say: "Ltd! This is not for me". Those who are bolder try to test themselves and keep the fast for one day.

Namaz-taraweeh ...

... also representatives of each country do it in their own way. The Turks, as usual, like in Turkey itself, love to perform it with haste. Probably because they are more integrated into European society and the working day is of great importance to them. The Arabs are different in this regard. They try to take holidays and free themselves from work in order to fully enjoy the holy month.

Taraweeh Arabs usually perform twenty rak'ahs 4 and try to completely complete the reading of the Quran in it in a month. Rest intervals after every fourth rak'ah are used mainly for educational work - for short lectures. For this, mosques or cultural centers attract various scholars and preachers from the Arab world.

In some mosques, taraweeh is performed in eight rak'ahs. It depends on the capabilities and abilities of the parishioners. In Europe, mainly among the Arabs, there is also the custom of inviting various readers from the Arab countries who beautifully recite the Koran in a chant. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in spirituality in this sacred month. Of course, the last ten nights are distinguished by special worship. People who are free from work try to stay in mosques on these nights, making i'tikaf. Some stay in the mosque for all ten nights without leaving it, others go home after the morning prayer. In such an intense atmosphere, the holiday of breaking the fast "Eid al-fitr" is approaching. After which life returns to its normal course.

May Allah Almighty accept good deeds from everyone in this holy month. Happy Holidays to all of you, dear readers! ] § [

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1 Taraweeh - additional night prayers, collectively performed in mosques in the month of Ramadan.

2 Iftar - breaking the fast after fasting.

3 Y'tikaf - permanent stay in the mosque for the purpose of worshiping Allah, which is desirable in the last ten days of Ramadan.

4 Rakat is the cycle of namaz.

Do's and Don'ts in Ramadan? What are the prohibitions, conditions and rules of Ramadan?

Ramadan is one of the main and holy months for Muslims. This is a time of reflection and spiritual cleansing, but for this, for a while, a true Muslim must give up many things: water, eating, sex. By fasting, believers test the strength of their spirit. Almost everyone is obliged to fast. But in order to honor traditions and correctly fulfill all the conditions, it is necessary to understand all the subtleties and nuances of the prescriptions.

In general, in order not to break the fast, it is enough to follow two precepts and three conditions. However, there are a lot of varieties of their implementation. We have collected complete information about the rules of Ramadan, current conditions and prohibitions, with explanations of what you can and cannot do, so that it would be easier for you to prepare for this period.

Fasting prescriptions

There are two prescriptions for fasting:

The intention in the heart to fast. Every Muslim should with sincerity and respect start such an important undertaking and with full responsibility come to the intention to observe the fast of the month of Ramadan for the pleasure of the Almighty Lord. And this must be done from sunrise to sunset.
No food intake. After morning prayer and until sunset, a Muslim should completely refuse to take food and water. It is also forbidden to breathe tobacco smoke and engage in any sexual relations.

Fasting conditions

According to the rules of Ramadan, you can start fasting only if the following conditions are met:

the believer must be an adult according to the complex of Shariah prescriptions;
the believer must have a sound, unclouded mind, adequately perceive the world and not be mentally ill;
a believer must be healthy to be able to fast properly.

Who is the post not suitable for?

Believers who are on a long trip or travel more than 90 kilometers from home and stay in a new place for no more than 15 days. If desired, a pilgrim can fast, but according to the religion of Islam, he is exempted from such a duty.
Believers with health problems. If fasting can be harmful and contribute to the deterioration of the condition, then the Almighty does not approve of such fasting.
Believers of the female gender who are having critical days or a period of postpartum cleansing.
Female believers who are pregnant or nursing a child. If there are fears for the well-being and condition of the child, Allah exempts from the obligatory observance of the fast.
Believers of old age who find it difficult to fast themselves and who suffer from incurable ailments and chronic diseases. Elderly believers are required to do charity to atone for it.

As of 2017, the council of the SAM established a single amount of fitr-sadaki: 100 rubles. for believers in need, 300 rubles. - for people with an average income, 500 rubles. - for wealthy Muslims. The Qur'an says that Allah considers the amount of donation acceptable and does not take more from the believer. This amount is enough to feed one poor person twice a day.

All those released from the post on the five points listed above must fill the missed post as soon as they meet the criteria for possible participation in the post.

What shouldn't be done in Ramadan?

In order not to break the fast, forbidden precepts should be avoided. These sins require kaffar in the form of alms, fasting or some other worship, which is defined by the Shariah:

Intentional eating, drinking water, taking medications, smoking.
Intentional intimate relationship with wife / husband.

Circumstances that should also be avoided in order not to break the fast, but if they do, they require redress:

The use of an enema.
Application of the drug through the ears and nose.
Specifically called nausea and vomiting.
Accidental ingress of liquid during ablution through the nasopharynx.

What can and do not break the fast during Ramadan?

If you make an accidental meal: if a Muslim forgot himself and ate or drank something, but then came to his senses and stopped, then he continues fasting. It is believed that it was Allah who treated him.
If you take a shower, take a full bath or be in the bath for a short time.
If you taste food, but do not swallow it.
If you rinse your mouth and rinse your nose.
If you drip the pupils with drugs, and also make up your eyes with antimony.
If you swallow food remnants that are stuck between your teeth, provided that the size of the remnants is not larger than a pea.
If you brush your teeth with a miswak or a brush.
If you inhale any incense.
If you donate blood.
If there is an uncontrolled release of semen.
If vomit is released in a small amount: uncontrolled vomiting, which can be swallowed back on its own.

During Ramadan, a Muslim can only eat twice a day: before dawn and after sunset.

Suhoor

This is the time before sunrise, which is set aside in Ramadan for eating. You need to eat before dawn. You should not eat food left over from the evening meal.

Iftar

As soon as the sun sets, it is time for Iftar. It is necessary to thank Allah for his generosity, read a prayer in order to appeal to the Almighty with a request to accept fasting, all mistakes and sins that were committed accidentally or deliberately.

Then, immediately, you should eat and not overeat.

How is the Taraweeh prayer performed?

The Tarafih prayer should be performed every day during Ramadan and it is not recommended for a Muslim to abstain from it. It is also advisable to perform a prayer in a mosque, surrounded by other like-minded people. However, if there is no possibility, an individual commission is possible.

It is necessary to read this prayer only after the night prayer "Isha" and possibly continue until the dawn begins. The time for the performance of the Vitr prayer, which is usually performed after the night prayer, is shifted during Ramadan and is possible after the Tarafih prayer.

This prayer does not need atonement and fulfillment if it is not performed.

Fasting by the clock of Mecca

In certain time zones, the period between sunrise and sunset is very long, up to nineteen hours or more. In the intense heat of the month of Ramadan, this makes it difficult to comply with all obligations and regulations, especially with regard to the intake of food and liquids. In order not to break the fast, there is an indulgence for such cases. After all, the purpose of fasting in Islam is not to burden, torture, cause difficulties and not ruin the health of believers.

Therefore, believers who live in a place with very long daylight hours can fast according to the hours of Mecca. Sickness due to a long day will be evident after a couple of days of Ramadan. Then you should rebuild and start suhur, say, according to the time zone of Moscow, and perform iftar according to the time zone of Mecca.

What is Sadaqa in Ramadan

Sadaka is helping people in Islamic culture. In order not to break the fast, it is necessary to fulfill the obligatory zakatul-fitr or, as it is also called, salakatul-fitr. This is a kind of tax that each family member pays before the Eid Prayer on the Day of Conversation. This tax is collected to help the poor and needy believers.

Who should pay zakatul-fitr? One who has a roof over his head, food and everything necessary to support himself and his loved ones, who has no debts and has the opportunity to pay the tax. To do this, it is enough to transfer it to the nearest mosque, where the funds will be distributed as a result.

How to work in Ramadan?

Every Muslim during fasting tries to devote himself to the Almighty Allah as much as possible. However, often many do not dare to start fasting because of their employment at work, study. Indeed, during this period, fasting requires not only a lot of time, but also a separate room, a special schedule, which sometimes cannot be adjusted to the work.

If there is still time before fasting, you may be able to take a vacation for these days. This will allow you to fully concentrate, comprehend your lifestyle and understand the main values of life.

If you do not have the opportunity to take leave for the period of fasting, then you must allocate time so that it works for you. So how do you deal with the inconvenience and skillfully balance work and religion?

Follow these tips and it will be much easier for you:

Schedule time wisely and schedule your daily routine. Set aside time for prayer rituals, Qur'anic recitation, namaz, and acts of worship. If you don't organize your schedule properly, you may forget about any of the prerequisites for fasting.
Don't skip suhoor. Do not be lazy and get up before the dawn of the sun, because this is the first meal of the day, which should saturate you and give you strength for the whole day. This is especially important in the summer heat.
Take your time in the morning. Before suhoor, it is necessary to perform tahajul of at least two rak'ahs. Also, do not forget to make dua.
Appreciate every free minute. As soon as you have the opportunity to take time to devote yourself to Allah Almighty. Do not assume that the rest of the work schedule is less busy than yours. Everyone can find time to do dhikr and listen to the Koran on the way to school or work. This will help you not to be distracted from the post and not be distracted by the unlawful.
Don't miss your lunch breaks. Lunch break - time to rest, "reboot" the body. If there is a mosque near work, then at lunchtime it is better to visit it and devote time to namaz. It will give you the strength and energy to keep working productively.
Do not overtighten with Iftar after work. You can take a break and get ready for Iftar with all the family members. It is important to do this together, because joint help with household chores brings together and gives strength. The Messenger of Allah himself always helped his family members around the house. Before iftar, the whole family should bow to Allah, pray and ask for the forgiveness of sins.
Think over the menu in advance. It may be easier to cook once a week and pack the food into containers. Meals should be balanced, especially suhoor. After all, the energy from food should be enough for the whole day. But remember not to overload your food with fast carbohydrates. They take away energy from the body for processing, which, of course, will affect your concentration, vitality and performance.
Don't be tempted. This is especially true for breaks when all colleagues go to lunch. Remember why and for whom you are doing this. After all, fasting is your choice, which concerns only you and Allah Almighty.
Think positively. All thoughts are material, and if you wake up with thoughts about how hard and difficult you will have today, then most likely it will be so. Think about how simple and easy it will be for you during the fast, how you will develop and be filled spiritually. If you think well of Allah and do not overpower, this is already considered one of the best types of worship.

Knowing the rules of Ramadan, knowing what you can and cannot do, you need to introduce the above tips into a habit. Then the fast will be much easier and more productive.

Suhoor

Suhoor is the meal before the Fajr morning prayer. Suhoor is sunnah (desired action) and must be completed before true dawn:

“Eat and drink until you can tell the white thread of dawn from the black one, and then fast until nightfall” (Quran 2: 187).

Suhoor is the grace and grace of the Almighty, so you need to wake up in time and eat slowly.

After the completion of the suhoor, the believer pronounces his intention to fast and proceeds to morning prayer.

Iftar

Iftar is a meal in the evening at sunset (Maghreb). Immediately after the adhan for the evening prayer with the name of Allah ﷻ and the prayer for fasting, the first part of iftar begins. Foods include dates or other foods that quickly saturate the blood with glucose, such as baked goods, fresh or dry fruits, and a glass of water. Prophet Mohammad ﷺ said:

“When one of you breaks his fast, let him break his fast with dates, and if he doesn’t find dates, let him break his fast with water, for it truly cleans” (Abu Dawud, 2355, at-Tirmidhi, 658, Ibn Madjah, 1699)

One of the most sacred events of the Islamic calendar is the holy month of Ramadan (Ramadan). A period filled with a large number of rituals, traditions and taboos awaits every faithful with awe. When Muslims have Ramadan in 2019, read the article.

The dates of most religious holidays in Islam depend on the peculiarities of the lunar calendar and Ramadan is a confirmation of this. Each year the beginning and end of Lent are shifted by several days. The solemn event presupposes the purification of the soul and thoughts, therefore, believers try to distract themselves from the bustle of the world and direct all their strength to strengthening the spirit.

The beginning and end of Ramadan in 2019

Since Ramadan is a rolling holiday, it falls on different dates every year. According to the Islamic Hijri calendar this year, Ramadan will take effect at dawn on May 5 and will end at night on June 3.

On these days, Muslims observe a strict fast, completely refusing food and water during the day. Thus, the faithful temper the spirit and strengthen their faith in Allah. The main task of every Mohammedan, which is dictated by Ramadan, is spiritual improvement by eradicating vices, bad habits, and dubious worldly aspirations. In order to be morally and spiritually transformed, believers try to change their attitude to life, the way of their thoughts, to preserve and increase the traditional values of their family.

Representatives of the Islamic world believe that strict adherence to the laws of Ramadan will provide a person with the right to stay in Paradise after death. Muslims await Ramadan in 2019 with no less trepidation than in previous years - this is an extremely important event in the life of every Mohammedan.

The month of Ramadan 2019: back to history

The origins of the holy month of Ramadan should be looked for in the distant 610 year, when the Prophet Muhammad retired in the cave of Hira to indulge in prayers. There the angel Jibril descended to him to voice the lines of the Holy Scriptures on the instructions of Allah. The Prophet listened to the reading of Jibril every year, but this time the angel recited the commandments twice. Since then, the text of the scripture has been called the Koran, and its reading during the month of Ramadan has become an obligatory Muslim tradition.

Each of the three decades of the month carries a special meaning:

the first 10 days - the special mercy of Allah descends on the believers;
the second 10 days - the time of spiritual cleansing, when a person analyzes his life and refuses impure thoughts;
the last 10 days - during this period the souls of the faithful are saved from the curse of fiery Gehenna.

During Ramadan, believers spend a lot of time in the mosque and pray fervently.

Ramadan in 2019: traditions and prohibitions

In the large set of rules and traditions of Ramadan, we will note the main ones:

on days of sacred fasting, you need to wake up at least half an hour before sunrise in order to open the Koran and indulge in the reading of the scriptures and prayers;
at the beginning of the fast, each Mohammedan makes a niyat, or personal intention to fast. Words of consent are pronounced daily, investing in them as much sincerity as possible;
all sins committed during Ramadan require atonement. Accidental oversights need to be corrected with an additional post, and deliberate ones require material retribution. For this, food and money are distributed to the poor;
in the daytime, the faithful are busy with pressing matters, for the fulfillment of which they say prayers, read the Koran and do charity;
during Ramadan, you cannot visit cafes, restaurants, entertainment establishments, listen to loud music, smoke cigarettes and hookahs, take alcohol, make love (including kissing and hugging), and use foul language. Do not deliberately induce vomiting, do cleansing enemas, or take medications;
while bathing, you need to be careful not to get water into your mouth.

Fasting during Ramadan 2019: features

The rule of fasting during Ramadan is one: it is forbidden to eat and drink during the day. Two meals are allowed per day, which must not be skipped. In the morning, before sunrise, suhoor comes: you can refresh yourself with porridge, a slice of bread and vegetable salad after having prayed. Iftar (evening meal) begins after sunset. At the disposal of the fasting person are dates, almonds, bananas and water. After iftar, they must read a prayer. All food during Ramadan is extremely lean. Spicy and fatty foods, after which you will be thirsty during the day, are prohibited. The meal is arranged strictly with the family.

According to the prescriptions of Islam, the rules of fasting during Ramadan do not apply to children, pregnant women, the elderly, people who have become exhausted as a result of a long illness, as well as those who are engaged in hard physical labor.

The beginning and end of Ramadan in 2019 in Russia

According to statistics, about 16 million representatives of the Islamic world live in Russia everywhere, which is 12% of the total population of the state. The meaning and rules of the holy month of Ramadan are as important for these people as for the rest of the Mohammedans in the world, so they are just as interested in when Ramadan starts in 2019 in Russia.

Fasting and all the religious precepts of Ramadan are adhered to by absolutely all adult and healthy Mohammedans living in Russia.

And now let's find out what adjustments the holy month will bring to your vacation if you are going to spend it abroad.

What you need to know about Ramadan 2019 in the UAE

The inhabitants of this region comply with all religious precepts: they do not eat, do not drink, do not smoke, do not chew gum in the daytime. Tourists should also adhere to these rules in public places if they do not want to catch on themselves the incomprehensible and outraged views of the locals. In addition, travelers need to select appropriate clothing in advance. The outfits should hide the shoulders and knees. Blouses and dresses with a deep cut on the chest will have to be left at home. The wearing of transparent, tight-fitting and belly-revealing clothing is prohibited.

What other changes await tourists in connection with Ramadan:

Places of food intake in hotels are fenced off with screens.
You can buy alcohol in Dubai bars after 19:00, but, alas, there will be no music and fiery dances.
The entertainment venues in Abu Dhabi are closed all month. Alcoholic drinks are not sold during this period.
Desert Safari and Crab Hunting tours do not sell alcohol, and there is no belly dance on Safari.

Most of the beaches, water parks and parks operate unchanged.

What you need to know about Ramadan 2019 in Turkey

In Turkey, the holy month of fasting is called Ramadan. Immediately after its completion, Ramadan Bayram begins, which lasts 3 - 4 days. It is important for tourists not to confuse these two events: during the period of Ramadan, the Mohammedans fast, and during Ramadan Bayram they break their fast. Ramadan - nai the best time for a vacation in Turkey, while Ramazan Bayram, when hotels and water parks are overcrowded with Turks, is not the best time to visit the country. If you decide to spend time in this country of resorts during the Ramadan period, plan your vacation so that you return home before the onset of Ramadan Bayram.

For convenience, they usually check with the official Ramadan timetable, where the dates of the sacred fast are indicated not only for 2019, but also for several years in advance:

Ramadan 2019 - May 5-June 3;
Ramadan Bayram 2019 - June 4-6;
Ramadan 2020 - April 24-May 23;
Ramadan Bayram 2020 - May 24-26;
Ramadan 2021 - April 13 - May 11;
Ramadan Bayram 2021 - May 12-14;
Ramadan 2022 - April 3-May 1;
Ramadan Bayram 2022 - May 2-4.

It is important to remember 2 main rules of staying in Turkey during Ramadan:

After getting off the plane, do not eat or drink anything until the tour bus arrives for you, or until you arrive at the hotel if you are traveling on your own. Since the vast majority of the people around you are fasting, there is no need to annoy them unnecessarily.
If you cannot live an hour without a cigarette, satisfy your need for nicotine in some secluded place so that no one can see you.

Within hotels, there are no restrictions dictated by Ramadan for tourists.

What you need to know about Ramadan 2019 in Tunisia

Holidays in Tunisia, when locals celebrate Ramadan, are not much different from a similar situation in Turkey. Not knowing the specifics of a religious event, you can get into a mess.

Travel forums are often replete with outraged reviews that read: “The hotel was packed with Arabs. They made a terrible noise, ate right in the pool, and the restaurant was constantly running out of cutlery! Nightmare!" This is not a fictitious situation, only a similar picture is observed not during a sacred fast. In Ramadan, the Mohammedans do not go anywhere; they spend most of their time at home and in the mosque, praying and fasting. Immediately after Ramadan, the celebration of Il Al-Fitr comes and for several days people who have observed a strict fast for a whole month rest. They eat satisfyingly and variedly, have fun and spend money with pleasure. Tunisians, as a rule, go to All Inclusive hotels, and Algerians often join them.

As a result, hotels, restaurants and swimming pools are overcrowded. In addition, there is always a risk of acquiring a non-existent reservation, which is what some hotels “sin”, and upon arrival it turns out that there are no vacant rooms. You will be accommodated in another hotel, where you will stay until there is free space where you wanted to go initially. That is why, when planning a vacation in Tunisia, try to get to this piece of paradise either before the start of Eid Al-Fitr, or after it.

According to the Islamic calendar, Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr 2019 fall on the following dates:

Ramadan 2019 - May 5 - June 3;
Eid Al-Fitr 2019 - June 4 - 6;
Ramadan 2020 - April 24 - May 23;
Eid Al-Fitr 2020 - May 24 - 26;
Ramadan 2021 - April 13 - May 11;
Eid Al-Fitr 2021 - May 12-14;
Ramadan 2022 - April 3 - May 1;
Eid Al-Fitr 2022 - May 2-4.

If you are planning to spend your vacation at a beach hotel, Ramadan will not affect your stay in Tunisia in any way: restaurants and bars do not change their schedule, there is no ban on the sale of alcohol. Please remember to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking on your way to your hotel.

Ramadan is a month of fasting and spiritual cleansing, in different Muslim countries it can begin at different times - it depends on the method of astronomical calculation or direct observation of the phases of the moon.

Muslims congratulate each other on the onset of Ramadan, since it was in this month that the Holy Quran was revealed, which plays a special role in the life of every faithful.

Holy month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan, which Muslim believers consider their main duty of the year, is very important in Islam. This is the sacred month of obligatory fasting and daily prayers - a time to earn eternal Paradise.

In the holy month of Ramadan, many deeds can be awarded a great reward: fasting, five daily prayers (namaz), the Taraweeh prayer, a sincere supplication-du "a, an evening meal (iftar) and a pre-dawn meal (suhoor), as well as donations and many others. good deeds and deeds.

The righteous believe that fasting helps a Muslim to control negative emotions and qualities, such as anger, hatred, greed, and also to fight against overwhelming passions.

In Islam, they hope to approach the Almighty through fasting. And in view of the fact that closeness to Allah is the meaning of the life of a believer, fasting occupies an important place in Islam. First of all, fasting is intended to pacify the soul and body, as well as accurately fulfill the instructions of Allah.

How to fast

The holy fast of Ramadan begins at dawn and ends at sunset - in the daytime, the faithful refuse to eat.

In Islam, during fasting, there are two night meals: suhoor - before dawn and iftar - in the evening. It is advisable to finish the pre-dawn meal at least half an hour before dawn, and iftar should be started immediately after the evening prayer.

Compliance with these two meals is rewarded with an additional reward, although skipping is not a violation of the fast. According to the Qur'an, the best food for a nighttime meal is water and dates.

Pre-dawn meal

The Prophet Muhammad also spoke about the importance of a pre-dawn meal. He said: "Eat before dawn on the days of fasting! Truly, in suhoor there is God's grace (barakat)!"

Muslims spend their morning meals throughout Ramadan before dawn. They believe that Allah will reward very much for such an action. Overeating during suhoor is not worth it, but you should eat a sufficient amount of food - it gives strength for the whole day.

Evening meal

The evening meal should be started immediately after sunset, that is, after the fourth, penultimate prayer on this day.

Isha - Night Prayer - The last of the five obligatory daily prayers, followed by Iftar. Doctors do not recommend skipping iftar, it can have a bad effect on the body.

Do's and Don'ts

Complex carbohydrates are recommended to be consumed during suhoor - vegetable salad, sprouted grain bread, cereal dishes. Complex carbohydrates provide the body with energy, while they are digested for a long time. Dried fruits - dates, nuts - almonds and fruits - bananas are also suitable.

Should not eat in the morning protein food- it loads the liver, which works without interruption during fasting. At this time of day, you should not eat fried, fatty and smoked food, as well as fish, as you will want to drink after it. You also need to give up coffee.

Meat and vegetable dishes can be eaten during iftar, as well as cereals and sweets in small quantities. By the way, sweets can be replaced with dates or fruits. But you need to drink a lot of water. You can also drink compote, tea, fruit drink, juice and jelly.

It is not advisable to take fatty and fried foods in the evening - it will cause heartburn and be deposited in extra pounds... Fast food products - various cereals in bags, also need to be excluded from the evening diet. Such dishes will not satisfy you, and literally in an hour or two you will want to eat again, as they contain salt and other spices.

For the duration of the Ramadan fast, it is better to exclude sausages and sausages from the menu altogether. Sausages that have a bad effect on the liver and kidneys and satisfy hunger for only a few hours can develop thirst.

Ramadan rules

Every adult Muslim is obliged to fast in Ramadan. During fasting, everyone must adhere to the established rules - to pray a lot and confirm daily their intention to participate in this holiday in the name of Allah.

Muslims during the month of Ramadan in the daytime, in order to atone for their sins, refuse not only to eat, but also to drink, smoke and intimacy.

Ramadan is a holy month that is meant to purify the soul and body, to rethink life in general. Therefore, Allah will not count the fulfillment of a religious duty without daily prayers (namaz).

One should abstain from this strict fast from evil thoughts and intentions, perform prayers more often, avoid defamatory acts and impious people.

Elderly and warriors, sick people, travelers, pregnant and lactating women, as well as children are exempted from fasting during the holy Ramadan. Compensation for fasting is obligatory in another, more favorable period.

What not to do in fasting

Fasting is violated in the holy month of Ramadan and requires atonement (kaaffara) for the following actions - deliberate intake of food, liquids, medicines and everything that is fit for consumption, as well as smoking and marital intimacy.

Compensation is also required by the following circumstances that break the fast: use of an enema; the ingress of drugs into the body through the nose and ears; water entering the nasopharynx when performing ablution; deliberate induction of vomiting; the onset of menstruation or the postpartum period.

A Muslim who breaks the fast must pay a certain amount of money or food to the needy, thus replenishing the fast.

Getting into an intimate relationship is one of the most serious violations. For this violation, a Muslim must either feed 60 poor people or observe 60 days of continuous strict fasting.

Night of predestination

The last ten days of fasting are especially strict and responsible, since the most important night of the year for every Muslim - Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Power and Predestination, falls on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

According to the legend, it was at this time that the prophet Muhammad received the first revelations from the archangel Jebrail - he went down to the praying prophet and gave him the Koran. Although, some sources indicate that the Night of Power and Predestination falls on the 27th of Ramadan

An entire surah, Inna Anzalnagu, is dedicated to this Night in the Holy Qur'an. It says that the Night of Power is better than a thousand months without it.

It is believed that the fate of each person - his life path, difficulties and trials to be passed, is predetermined in heaven precisely in Lailat al-Qadr. And if a faithful person spends this night in prayer, in understanding his deeds and possible mistakes, then Allah will be merciful and forgive him for his sins.

Therefore, Muslims try to pray with great zeal during the holy month of Ramadan and adhere to the instructions of Allah. It is believed that Allah rewards believers a hundredfold for the good deeds performed during Ramadan, giving them prosperity, health and good luck.

Voluntary prayer

Muslims throughout Ramadan should read the Qur'an, devote their time to pious thoughts and actions, work and charity. In addition, one more prayer is added to the usual five prayers a day - "taraweeh".

"Taraweeh" means voluntary prayer, which is performed in the holy month of Ramadan after the night prayer (isha). Taraweeh is a compulsory sunnah (muakkyada sunnah) for both men and women.

Prophet Muhammad performed this prayer on the 23rd, 25th and 27th nights of the month of Ramadan together with his companions in the mosque. And so that people would not take this prayer as obligatory, the prophet did not offer it every day.

After every four rakiaats (the order of words and actions that make up a Muslim prayer), following the example of the prophet's companions, it is advisable to take a short break. At this time, it is recommended to indulge in thoughts about God, praise and remember the Almighty, or listen to a short sermon.

Feast of Conversation

The holy month of Ramadan ends with the second great holiday - Eid al Fitr, or the so-called Feast of Conversation. The holiday comes after sunset on the last day of Ramadan.

Muslims at this time should indulge in reflections on spiritual values and rethink life during the period of fasting. Eid al Fitr is considered a holiday of salvation from hell - a day of love, reconciliation and friendly handshakes. On a holiday, it is customary to visit the disadvantaged and take care of the elderly.

The holiday begins with the onset of the time for the evening prayer. From that time on, it is desirable for all Muslims to read "takbir" (the formula for the exaltation of Allah). Takbir is recited before the festive prayer is performed on the day of the holiday. It is advisable to spend the night on the holiday in the all-night service to Allah.

On the holiday, the faithful put on clean clothes, smother themselves with incense, put a silver ring on their finger and, after eating a little, go early to the mosque to perform the festive prayer.

On a holiday, they pay the obligatory zakat al-fitr or "alms for breaking the fast", show joy, congratulate each other and wish the Almighty to fast, and also visit relatives, friends, neighbors and acquaintances and receive guests.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources