Ramadan, the holy time for prayer

5 months and 16 days to go until Ramadan, the sacred time for prayer

Ramadan is the most special month for Muslims. This community fast, pray, practice abstinence and meditate during a whole month. For the faithful, those are the holiest days of the year. Ramadan has a lot to do with different battles, with the Night of Power, the conquest of Mecca or even with Saladin. But when does Ramadan start and end in 2024? I... Show more

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Elegant Ramadan Kareem designs for a magical month!

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Symbols

Muslim symbols and their relation with Ramadan: crescent moon and stars, mosques, musbaha and fatous

Crescent moon

Mosque

Rosary

Lanters

The crescent moon: the most famous Islamic symbol

The Islamic calendar, known as Hijri calendar, is a lunar one, so using the crescent moon as a typical Islamic symbol is not strange. But this is not the only connection with the moon. Ramadan begins with the first crescent of a new moon, and it lasts until the next one. That’s why there are a lot of crescent moons and stars added to designs related to this Islamic festivity. Spiritually, the stars represent knowledge and light, whereas the moon epitomizes progress. Historically speaking, the crescent moon and the stars are associated with the Ottoman Empire, the flag of the Kingdom of Libya and the history of Mohammed and Hijra.

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Mosque, the Muslim houses of prayer

Mosques are temples where Muslim people pray. Mosque means place of ritual prostration in Arabic. They are key for believers, as they are religious spaces where funerals, marriages, Ramadan vigils, prayers and even business agreements take place. As happens with temples devoted to other religions, they also provide shelter for the poor and homeless. The origin of this sort of house of prayer is the construction of the Kaaba in Mecca. It is regarded as the very first mosque, and the most important one. The fifth pillar of Islam is going to Mecca during Ramadan at least once in a lifetime–as long as they can afford to do so. Due to its importance for Muslims, together with its major role during Ramadan, mosques can be rightly seen as Ramadan symbols in cards, posters, templates and so on.

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Prayers and meditation: the use of mushaba, the Muslim rosary

Are you familiar with the term Musbaha? It’s the Muslim rosary. It’s also known as Tasbih or Sibha. They normally have 99 beads, as the number of Names of God in Islam. Of course, there are smaller versions containing just 33 beads. They are used for a sort of meditation called dhikr (they repeat and chant prayers to get closer to God). Supposedly, they came into use thanks to poor people and Sufis. Depending on the country, the beads are made from different materials: amber, onix, ivory, pearls, olive seeds, wood, carnelian, plastic… Although they are frequently used by Muslims, there is a group, the Wahhabis, that don’t use misbahas.

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Learn about the ancient uses the famous Muslim lanterns

One of the most widely recognisable Islamic symbols is the fanous, the Islamuc lantern. It is commonly associated with Muslims and Ramadan. Fanous are made of metal and glass, and they display vivid colors and arabesque designs. They are said to have originated in Egypt during the Fatimid Caliphate (10th-1th centuries A.D.). Before that, the fanous was used in Pharaonic celebrations. They carried fanous or lanterns to celebrate the birthday of ancient gods as Osiris and, during the Fatimid Caliphate, to greet Caliph Muizz. As this happened during Ramadan, people continued including them as part of that holy month.

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Color palette

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Egyptian blue, the millenary color that imitates lapis lazuli

The color name “Egyptian blue” appeared in the 19th century. Nevertheless, this hue was a very special one for Egyptians. They loved the colors of semi precious stones like turquoise and lapis lazuli, so they created a pigment that resembled those tones. They used it virtually everywhere! You can see that statues, tombs, wall paintings, and everyday items displayed this color. Of course, it was the preferred tone for faience pots, beads, and jewelry. Did you know that people stopped using this color by the 4th century AD? Eventually, less and less manufacturers worked with this sort of pigment, so their secret recipe got lost. Isn’t it an amazing story about a shade?

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Medium carmine, the color of solemnity, power, and heat

Medium carmine is a warm red and a very saturated hue. This is the color of heat, passion, energy, and war. It also conveys a sense of power, so it’s usually applied to military affairs. This is the color of Africa, of its cities and villages. It also reminds us of the hues of the houses in Morocco, its powerful sunsets, or the minarets of any mosque touching the sky. Medium carmine is the perfect tone for a holy month such as Ramadam. This color represents solemnity, calmness, and seclusion. All of them align with the beautiful feelings that are triggered because of Ramadan, a month devoted to prayer and spiritual experiences.

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Chocolate web, the connection with nature and serenity

Chocolate web is a type of bright brown. It is a very natural color, connected with the earth and trees. This hue is the color of stability and common sense; it also adds a touch of seriousness, warmth, and honesty. Ramadan explores the depth of the human soul, the sacred nature of life, and the importance of Allah. All of them are represented and enhanced thanks to this lovely shade. This brownish tint also connects with loneliness according to color psychology: salah or salat is the ritual prayer that Muslims perform several times a day. This ritual is something sacred that needs to be done privately and when the person is alone, without speaking to any other person.

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Goldenrod, a vibrant color full of light and life

Goldenrod is a type of yellow that resembles the tint of that plant. Its flowers are beautiful and small, and they seem to be golden. This hue, together with green, is widely used to present verses of the Quran. This connection between those two colors appear in this holy book: bracelets of gold and green garments will adorn Muslim people (Quran, 18:31.) This golden hue is connected to Muhammad, Allah, the Quran, and the divine. Apart from the holiness of this color, it is also a hue of nature and spices. Turmeric is widely used in the far East, in Morocco, and in other Muslim countries. It shows a yellow or golden tone, close to one of the goldenrods.

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Wheat, a light yellow hue that conveys a sense of positivity

The color of wheat means calmness, balance, and positivity. It also generates uplifting feelings and it’s associated with the bright Sun. Wheat is the second most-produced cereal, so this color is also a representation of the importance of such a cereal. There are references to grains and wheat in the Quran, so you can imagine the significance of wheat (and its color) for Muslims. It appears more than then in this holy book! In one of the passages, Allah is said to be a blessed grain that “brings the living out of the dead” (6:95.) Thus, the color of this grain is connected to life itself, to food and nourishment.

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Discovering the history of Ramadan: Night of Power, Battle of Badr, Conquest of Mecca and the Battle of Hattin

There are four major events that conformed Ramadan and that helped establish the supremacy of Islam, some of them have to do with battles, reconquering cities, defeating other tribes and receiving divine messages. If you want to know more about these turning points, just keep reading! The first turning point was the Laylat al-Qadr, the night when God sent the Quran from Heaven. The second event was the Battle of Badr, as Muhammad defeated the Quraysh tribe. Not so long after that, the Prophet conquered Mecca. The last landmark has to do with the reconquest of Jerusalem, Saladin and the Battle of Hattin.

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610 A.D.

Night of Power

Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr, also known as the Night of Destiny, Night of Power or Night of Decree is a very special date for Muslims, although its exact date is still unclear. Supposedly, it took place during the last ten nights of Ramadan in 610 A.D.; in fact, those last ten nights are very blessed and special for Muslims. During that night, Laylat al-Qadar, the Quran was sent from Heaven and some verses were revealed to prophet Muhammad. Spiritually, it is a very holy night. Your sins are prone to be forgiven that night, supplications are also accepted and God brings mercy and many blessings to people.

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624 A.D., 2A.H.

Battle of Badr

The day of the Criterion

The battle of Badr is one of the most important events in relation to Ramadan. On March 13th 624 A.D., Muhammad defeated the Quraysh tribe in the city of Badr. This battle strengthened Muhammad’s leadership and, in addition, it was seen as a clear example of God’s intervention. In fact, this divine intervention, according to believers, was to be seen two days before the battle. A rainfall helped Muhammad to win the conflict. This famous battle is mentioned in the Quran, although it is referred to as “The Day of the Criterion” (Yawm al-Furqan in Arabic).

Yaroslav Danylchenko

629-630 A.D., 8 A.H.

The treaty of Hudaibiya and the defeat of the Quraysh tribe

The Conquest of Mecca

In 628 A.D., some years after the battle of Badr, the Quraysh tribe tribe of Mecca and the state of Medina, represented this last by Muhammad, signed a peace treatise known as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. This treaty guaranteed peace for a period of 10 years, which was an outstanding achievement. This treatise was broken just two years later, as an ally of the Quraysh attacked Muslim allies. Muhammad gathered a large Muslim army and they preparred an assault on Mecca. They entered the city peacefully and the Quarash army ran away. After the conquest, Muhammad and his army went to the Kaaba and they prayed there.

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4th July 1187 A.D., 682 A.H.

Saladin against Crusader forces

The Battle of Hattin

Another of the major historical milestones for Muslims is the Battle of the Horns of Hattin or simply the Battle of Hattin and recapturing Jerusalem. This battle took place in Hattin, as one would imagine, which is close to Tiberias (Israel). Saladin and his Muslim army annihilated the Crusader forces, so Muslims got the power over the Holy Land. This action ended with the recapture of Jerusalem, which was previously under Christian domination, together with the regain of sovereignty over other castles and other cities that were held by Crusaders.

Experiencing Ramadan in different countries: the United States, India, Turkey, Morocco and Indonesia

There are many countries with an important percentage of Muslim population, as Islam is one of the major religions in the World. Can you believe that there are around 1,800 billion adherents to Islam in the World? Each country celebrates this very special month differently. Today, we are going to get familiar with Ramadan traditions in the United States, India, Turkey, Morocco and Indonesia.

United States

Did you know that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America? There are around 3.5 million American Muslims and the number of mosques is increasing as well. During 2022, hundreds of people went to Times Square, in New York, the first day of Ramadan. At the beginning, slaves were the only grups that celebrated this holy month. Step by step, Ramadan in the USA has become a melting pot. Muslims from many countries gather and celebrate this month in the ways that they used to at home, but combining their customs with the ones of his neighbors. After the sunset, when people break fast, it’s not unusual to eat Latin food just like tamales or tortas, as long as they are halal. This word translates as “permissible” in Arabic. When we talk about halal meat it means that the way of slaughtering animals adheres to Quran and Islamic law.Have you ever heard about #TacoTrucksInEveryMosque? Mosques, halal meat markets, Latinos and Muslims unite and celebrate together combining their own traditions!

India

Does India celebrate Ramadan? Is Ramadan an Indian holiday? The answer to those questions is yes! There are plenty of Muslim people in India, so it’s an important month for this country. Nowadays, more and more Hindu people fast together with Muslims as a gesture of fraternity, to prevent Islamophobia and because it’s a period devoted to prayer and reflection. In fact, there is a point where both religions merge. Muslims celebrate Diwali, Hindus celebrate Islamic New Year and they even worship som Muslim walis, i.e., Holy men. Another interesting custom takes place in Bangladesh. There, some volunteers sing to wake people up so they can eat before dawn. Are you interested in Indian Ramadan food? You should try dishes like the tasty sheer khurma, chana chaat, mutton cutlets, or badam milk… Yummy!

Turkey

Let’s learn more about Ramadan in Turkey (or, as they pronounce it, Ramazan)! First of all, if you are a tourist visiting Turkey during this month, take into consideration that drummers will wake you up quite early! They let people know that it’s time to eat and drink before fasting begins (sahur.) Once they break breakfast at sunset, known as iftar, they eat dates, as Muhammad, and they have a lot of salads, meat, soups, muhallebi (a milk puddin with rose water) or Ramazan pidesi, a type of bread. During this month they also pray and they give alms, a practice that is called zekat in Turkish. One thing to take into consideration is that not all Muslims fast during Ramadan. Although most Turkish Muslims are Sunni and they do fast, the Alevi population don’t do so. Still, it’s important to know that the Quran establishes certain exemptions from fasting: kids, elderly people, those who are sick, and lactating, menstruating or pregnant women. Even so, many of them do fast because they find that this practice is good for their health and for their inner balance. In Turkey you’ll also enjoy the mosques, as they are illuminated beautifully!

Morocco

As in any other Muslim country, Ramadan is also celebrated in Morocco. Moroccan Ramadan food is one of the most notable aspects of the country. During this month, you can eat harira, a lentil soup that is very nourishing. You can also have selloy or chebakia (sweets) as well as khobz, a type of bread, and mint tea. Moroccan people are very friendly. Even if you are not Muslim, they will give you food to break fast with them, and you’ll even be invited to mosques! Naturally, you’ll also find other interesting Ramadan traditions in this country. They begin buying a new djellabas (a sort of cloak) for each Ramadan. Also, reading the Quran and taraweeh or tahajjud (a night prayer) are two of the most popular activities! In fact, the tahajjud prayer takes place during the Laylat al-Qadr, the most important Ramadan night. During Laylat-al Qadr, families gather and have dinner together. If you are planning to visit Morocco during Ramadan, knowing about Nafar and Zowaka is also a good idea! A nafar blows a horn or uses a cannon to awaken people just to have a pre-dawn meal, before fasting. Zawaka is also marked by the use of a blasting cannon or an air siren to let people know that they can break fast at sunset.

Indonesia

The celebration of Ramadan in Indonesia has a lot of peculiarities. Depending on the city, you’ll find diverse customs. Let’s have a look at them. Just before Ramadan, Javanese people visit cemeteries and adorn graves with flowers. This is called Nyadran. In central Java, there is a colorful parade known as Dugderan. It announces the first day of Ramadan, and it has its own mascot! It’s a goat with the head of a dragon, and its name is Warak Ngendog. In Banda Aceh, they celebrate Meugang. People traditionally cook meat and share food with their families and with orphans. Indeed, sharing food with family is not only seen there. In Betawi, people give food packages to older members of the family. This is called Nyorog. Megibung, or people eating together, is another food-related tradition of Bali. Balimau, or bathing in water with lime, takes place in Minangkabau, West Sumatera. As you can see, there are plenty of things to do!

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