Social and Religious Studies

Key unit competence: To be able to approach firmly Allah, take care of persons in need and live in humility at Ramadan.

                                                                                    Learning objectives

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Comment on the month Ramadan, how the period is decided.
•  Judge the role of fasting in Ramadan in changing Muslim attitudes. 
•  Understand the rules of Fasting in Ramadan. 
•  Understand the night of decree and its meaning during Ramadan.

Skills

• Illustrate the virtues of Ramadan month.
•  Analyse the lunar calendar and how it is used to calculate the period of Ramadan. 
•  Research the night of decree and its meaning during Ramadan.

Attitudes and values

•  Respect the period of fasting.
•  Appreciate Ramadan and its importance to Muslims all over the world.
•  Respect those who fast.
•  Value the closeness to God during Ramadan. 
•  Exploit the night of Decree.

Introductory activity

Look at the pictures below and answer the following questions:

   1. What is happening in the picture below?

   2. What are the three things that the signs tell us we may do during Ramadan?

   3. What are the five things that the signs tell us we cannot do during Ramadan?

Ramadan is a very important period in the Islamic calendar.

3.2 How the timing of Ramadan is decided

The month of Ramadan begins after someone sees the ninth crescent moon of the year. 

This can vary slightly from one country to another. This is because

the Earth is turning, so sunrise and sunset occur at different times in different places.

The first sighting of the ninth crescent moon

marks the beginning of Ramadan.

Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on when the new moon is seen.

Sometimes Muslims disagree about the exact timing of the beginning and end of Ramadan. 

If you live in a cloudy or wet country, the sky might not be clear at the right time.

 At the end of the month, when the community sights the crescent moon again, Eid-al-Fitr or 

the Festival of Fast-breaking begins.

The end of Ramadan is one of two annual Islamic festivals.

Activity

   1. Write the order in which these countries will reach sunset each day: America, Australia, Rwanda, Nigeria, France

   2. Discuss the purpose of Ramadan.

   3. Can you name any fasting in other religions?

Homework

Write a sentence explaining the importance of Ramadan.

43.3 Why do Muslims fast?

During Ramadan Muslims all over the world go without food and drink during the daylight hours. 

Ramadan is a time to purify the soul, pay attention to Allah, and practise restraint. 

Practising restraint is about more than just going without food and drink. It includes:

•  restraining the tongue from gossiping
•  restraining the eyes from looking at unlawful things
•  not touching or taking anything that does not belong to you
•  not listening to idle talk
•  not going to sinful places.

This means that every part of the body is committed to the fast.

Breaking the fast (Iftar)

When dusk has fallen, families and the community come together to break the fast. This is called Iftar. 

The fast is usually broken with a date and a glass of water before sharing a meal. 

This is a special time and care is taken to cook special foods and to include everyone in the community. 

Old people are taken care of. At the mosque, food and drinks will also be provided, 

especially for the poor in the community.

Activity 3.3

    1. On your own, draw a picture of a person and add labels to show how each part of the body observes Ramadan.

   2. Discuss what would make a special Iftar meal. 

   3. Write a menu for an Iftar meal in Rwanda.

3.4 Practices and prayers during Ramadan

During Ramadan people do their best to reconnect with Allah. They try to improve their character and their morality. 

They try to become a better person. By fasting, they are reminded to be thankful that they have food to

eat when so many people do not. They are reminded to take care of the poor, the elderly and the sick.

Ramadan is also a time of togetherness and sharing. Families try to spend

time together.

In addition to being a time of fasting, Ramadan is an opportunity for increased prayer and devotion. 

During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, some Muslims retreat to a mosque for even more intensive study 

and contemplation.

One of these nights, usually the 27th of Ramadan, is the ‘Night of Decree’, the holiest day of the year.

Activity

Set one day aside this week to try and be a better person. Keep a diary of how the

day went and share this with your class.

Exercise

Answer the following questions.

   1. What is the importance of Ramadan?

   2. How are the exact dates for Ramadan decided?

   3. Describe a typical day of a Muslim during Ramadan.

3.5 The Night of Decree

The Night of Decree is a very special night in the month of Ramadan.

 Muslims believe that this was the night on which Allah first started to reveal the Qur’an to the 

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Night of Decree is also known as the Night of Power 

because Allah blesses this night. 

In Arabic this night is called Laylat Al-Qadr. Because it is such a special time, more angels descend during 

this night and prayers have more power. It is a very important night for prayer, forgiveness of sins and asking for blessings.

 It is also the best night for mending broken relationships with family and friends. 

Muslims spend this night in prayer and reading the Qur’an either at home or in the mosque.

The Night of Decree happens during the last 10 days of Ramadan. It is calculated as one of the odd nights (21, 23, 25, 27 or 29).

Activity

 Make a list of blessings that might come to you and your family from praying during the Night of Decree.

Homework

Explain why the Night of Decree is important.

3.6 People who are exempted from fasting

Certain groups of people are excused from fasting during Ramadan:

•  children under the age of puberty
•  the elderly
•  the sick
•  travellers and soldiers
•  anyone who has a medical condition
•  women during their menses and postnatal bleeding
•  pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Activity 

1. Look at the following pictures and say why these people do not have to fast during Ramadan.

3.7 Eid-al-Fitr

The end of Ramadan is marked by the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr. This is a

time when families and friends get together to feast after the long month of Ramadan.

Many Muslims start by attending communal prayers, listening to a sermon and giving charity in the form of food. 

Foods such as barley, dates, raisins or wheat flour (or money) are given to the poor.

 Many Muslims also wear new clothes, visit relatives and give presents or candy to children.

 Cards are also sent, often with the words ‘Eid Mubbarak’ (blessed Eid) on them.

                                       Eid Mubbarak means ‘blessed Eid’.

Activity

 Draw an Eid Mubbarak card to give to a friend.

End unit assessment

Do the following with your partner and check each other’s work.

   1. Describe a typical day during Ramadan for a young Muslim boy or girl.

   2. Explain how the beginning and end of the period of Ramadan are decided.

   3. Write a paragraph explaining why Ramadan is important for Muslims.