Understanding Ramadan: A Comprehensive Guide to Fasting and its Significance for Non-Muslims

Nearly a million Muslims across Australia are preparing for a shared ritual: refraining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset over the next month.

Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this sacred time, Muslims engage in fasting from dawn until dusk, while focusing on increased prayer and acts of charity.

This holy period is deeply significant as it offers a time for spiritual introspection. Observing the fast throughout Ramadan is among the five fundamental practices, or pillars, of Islam.

This is why you might notice your Muslim friends or colleagues disappearing during lunch or politely declining your coffee invitations in the morning.

When is Ramadan this year?

Commencing Wednesday evening, nearly two billion people worldwide will begin their observance of Ramadan.

Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, so its commencement date creeps up 11 days earlier every year.

This year, it will be observed from the evening of 18 February to 19 March, which aligns with the first sighting of a crescent moon.

But the date can differ depending on which country you’re in, and when the new moon can be sighted there.

So while most Muslims around the world will be taking part in Ramadan, they might be starting and ending on different dates.

As the month progresses, the time to break the fast will change with sunset time. By the end of the month, the fasting time will be half an hour shorter.

Australia and New Zealand — and all countries in the southern hemisphere — have the longest fasting time of all, around 15 hours.

Those in the northern hemisphere have the shortest, about 12 hours.

So, you don’t eat for a month?

No, it’s not like that. Muslims who are fasting during Ramadan don’t eat or drink anything from the breaking of dawn until the sun sets. Not even water.

While fasting, Muslims also abstain from sexual activity, smoking (that includes shisha and vaping), or taking medication.

But when the sun sets, it’s all systems go.

The first meal at sunset is called iftar — the breaking of the fast. It’s common practice for Muslims to start their iftar by eating a date (or three) and water.

After that, it’s about pacing yourself. There’s often a lot of food to get through before the sun starts to come up.

Muslims are also encouraged to wake up just before the crack of dawn for a meal before their day of fasting starts — this is called suhur in Arabic, or sehri in Urdu.

Some will have a full breakfast prepared, while others prefer to have a light snack and some water to prepare for the day ahead.

So, if your Muslim friends are liking your Instagram posts or responding to your messages in the middle of the night, you now know why they’re awake.

Does everyone have to fast?

Not everyone. Children and the elderly are exempt, as are those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, travelling, or ill.

Some who require daily medication may also be exempt.

If a Muslim has missed some fasting days — and they’re fit to fast after the month has finished — they are encouraged to do so before the next Ramadan rolls around.

Some people also have their own personal reasons for choosing not to fast. So if you notice your Muslim friend or colleague eating during the day, it’s respectful not to ask them why in public.

But why do you fast?

Sure, you get hungry and thirsty, but that’s kind of the point.

Ramadan is a challenge, but for many people, it’s also about understanding the suffering of the less fortunate and cultivating gratitude. It acts as an emotional and spiritual cleansing, with lots of time spent on introspection.

Many Muslims describe their sense of gratitude growing throughout the month. Instead of constantly striving for more, it’s about becoming content with what you already have.

Is Ramadan just about food?

Reducing Ramadan to food isn’t quite right. An instrumental part of the month is being the best person possible to reap the rewards that Muslims believe are afforded to them during the holy month.

Many people will make concerted efforts to refrain from gossiping and other bad habits, read more Quran, spend their nights at the mosque to pray, learn more about their religion and connect with God.

Donating to the less fortunate is encouraged, and at the end of the month, Muslims are required to give a portion of their wealth to charity. This is called zakat and is another of the five pillars of Islam.

Another special component of Ramadan is Laylat-Al-Qadr (or the ‘Night of Power’), which falls on an odd-numbered evening in the last 10 days of the month. Muslims believe that good deeds will be multiplied by a thousand times if performed that night.

All Muslims prefer to stay awake for praying on the odd nights in the last 10 days, but Sunni Muslims focus more of their prayers on the 27th night of Ramadan, as it is the most probable Laylat-Al-Qadr. Others, including Shia Muslims, also stay up at night to offer prayers.

Sunni Muslims prefer to offer Taraweeh prayers (extra prayers) following their obligatory daily late evening prayer at mosques for the whole month.

It’s important to note that there isn’t one way to observe Ramadan — every Muslim will set their own personal goals on what they’d like to achieve before the month is up.

Is it okay if I eat in front of someone who is fasting?

Sure. But please excuse the longing stares at your food and occasional, accidental drool.

While you probably feel guilty for eating in front of someone who is hungry, your Muslim friend likely already has their heart set on the sweet feast that awaits them at sunset.

If you make a big deal out of it, it gets awkward. Their meal is coming, don’t worry.

Do you lose weight?

Not necessarily. Everyone’s body is different and the intention of fasting isn’t to drop some kilos.

Some people might even gain a little weight from shovelling morsels of food throughout the night.

How do I wish you a happy Ramadan?

There are several ways to show your Muslim friends some support as they embark on a spiritually challenging month.

The easiest way would be to acknowledge the month has begun! A huge influx of greetings is often shared between Muslims, similar to how people say “Merry Christmas” during the holiday season.

The most common sayings are Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, but don’t feel confused if you hear different variations.

Different cultures will say their greetings in their own language. Some others you might hear are:

• Ramazanınız mübarek olsun (Turkish)
• Ramzaan Mubarak (Urdu)
• Roza Mobarik-Shah (Pashto)
• Ramjan Mubarak (Bangla)

Muslims will celebrate the end of Ramadan with a three-day holiday called Eid-al Fitr.

For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.