The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has on Thursday announced that Ramadan would start on Friday, April 24.
Also, the National Moonsighting Committee Nigeria uploaded a video on its official Twitter handle to announce that the new moon has been sighted, hence the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan.
Like many other countries around the world, this years’ Ramadan is unusual as religious leaders and government have advised against public gathering given the Coronavirus pandemic.
The word Ramadan is from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness. This is because Ramadan typically takes place during the summer, and it requires Muslims to fast during the daylight hours.
During Ramadan, Muslims cannot eat or drink during daylight hours. Sexual relations, smoking, and anything indecent or excessive are also prohibited.
Ramadan is remembered as the month in which the prophet Muhammad received the first of the revelations that make up the Quran.
Because Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, the holiday starts 11–12 days earlier than it did the previous year.
It takes about 33 Islamic years for Ramadan to return to the same place on the Gregorian calendar.
A month of fasting does not necessarily lead to weight loss while Ramadan means a month of fasting, dieticians see an increase in diabetes cases and weight gain due to overeating once the sun goes down.
Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The other pillars are Salat (prayer), Shahada (an affirmation that there is no deity besides God and his prophet is Muhammad), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during one’s lifetime).
All adults are required to fast during Ramadan, except those who are elderly, ill, travelling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, chronically ill, or menstruating.
Children are not required to fast during Ramadan until they reach puberty.
If someone is sick during Ramadan and is unable to fast, he or she can make up the fast when they recover.
If someone deliberately breaks their fast during Ramadan for no legitimate reason, they are required to make up the missed day later.
If a person dies during Ramadan and has not completed his or her fast, whoever is in charge of their affairs is required to continue the fast on their behalf.
During the month of Ramadan, the productivity of workers declines by 35–50% due to both shorter working hours and loss of efficiency.
After Ramadan is over, Muslims have a three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr, or festival of the breaking of the fast where people come together to eat, enjoy family and friends, and exchange gifts.
Fasting during Ramadan occurs from dawn until sunset, before dawn, Muslims eat a pre-fast meal called Sahur at sunset; they break the fast with a meal called Iftar.
In many Muslim countries, restaurants remain open during Ramadan, with a sign posted stating that food will be served to non-Muslim people only.
If someone has sexual intercourse during Ramadan, they must fast continuously for 60 more days or feed 60 poor people.
While Ramadan calls for a month of fasting, the demand for food increases. After Iftar (the meal after sundown), people flock to cafes to eat and meet friends.
Because drinking water is prohibited while fasting during Ramadan, dehydration-related illnesses often increase.
If a non-Muslim meets a Muslim during Ramadan, the appropriate greeting is Ramadan Mubarak, which means have a blessed Ramadan.
To declare the beginning of Ramadan, Muslim-majority countries, such as Saudi Arabia, depending on the moon sighters. When these moon sighters see a crescent moon, Ramadan can begin.
The crescent moon is a powerful symbol for Muslims, during Ramadan, charities report higher levels of donations and activity.
In many Muslim-majority countries, traffic accidents increase during Ramadan due to fasting-related drowsiness and lack of concentration.
However, it is vital to adhere to all precautionary measures to stop the further spread of Coronavirus, which has claimed many lives.
Ramadan Kareem from all of us at Everyevery.ng, remember the world in your prayers.