Ramadhan in Saudi Arabia feels so unlike any other time. The day is given over for fasting and the nighttime for prayers. People in Saudi Arabia are more relaxed, more gentle, and behave very kindly. During the day, they wake up late and work more slowly and deliberately. At night, they are awake until the early morning hours of Fajr, time enough to enjoy their food before another day of fasting.
How Is Ramadhan Celebrated In Saudi Arabia?
The Islamic month of fasting -Ramadhan in Saudi Arabia for 2023 begins on Thursday, 23rd March. Enshallah! During these 30 days, all adult Muslims (and kids) fast (stop eating and drinking) from sunrise to sunset. They are obliged to fast during the holy month of Ramadhan.
- Faith (Shahada)
- Prayer (Salat)
- Giving Charity (Al Zakat)
- Fasting (As Sawm)
- Making Pilgrimage (Al Hajj)
What is Fasting?
In Arabic, As Sawm (صوم/ صيام) means fasting. Not just in KSA, but the world over, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations in simple obedience to God’s (Allah’s) command.
Why Should Muslims Start Fast For A Month?
Allah (SWT) first gave the command for all Muslims to fast during the second year of Hijra, in the year 623 CE.
عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
Oh, believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah.
Surah Al Baqarah (The Cow) 2:183
Click to hear it the above verse 2:183
For a period of 1441 years, Muslims have been fasting during the month of Ramadhan.
Whoever refuses to fast, cannot be considered a Muslim.
Does Every Muslim Need To Fast Ramadhan?
Yes! Every Muslim is obliged to fast during this month. However, there are exemptions.
- Sick People
- Travelers
- Menstruating Women
- Breastfeeding or Pregnant Women
- Elderly (Sickly) People
- Prepubescent Children
What If Muslims Break The Fast by Eating Or Drinking During The Day?
If a Muslim deliberately eats or drinks during the fasting hours, he/she has broken it and needs to make up the fast another day after Ramadhan has ended. If someone accidentally eats then suddenly realizes it, then they should carry on fasting as if nothing has happened. His/her fast is still valid.
So, What Does Invalidate Fasting?- Swallowing Anything
- Intentional Vomiting
- Smoking
- Ingesting Medicine
- Eating Before Sunset
- Eating After Sunrise
What Other Things Should Muslims Do In Ramadhan?
Fast
Muslims must fast for 30 days. Fasting at night is not permitted.
Pray More
Muslims should increase prayers including the 5 daily and supplementary prayers (Taraweeh).
Recite The Holy Quran
Muslims should read the Holy Quran each day and night of this month until they complete it.
Nightly Taraweeh Prayers
Muslims should strive to get closer to God (Allah) by standing for Taraweeh prayers. These are supplementary prayers offered in congregation in the evening after the Isha prayer. At about 8pm.
During the last ten days of Ramadhan, Muslims stand in congregational prayer throughout the night until sunset.
Good Deeds
Muslims should perform good deeds with the desire of getting close to God (Allah)
Seek Out the Night of Power (Lailat Al Qadr)
Muslims should seek out the Night of Power in the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadhan.
They are the nights of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights of Ramadan. They can do worship and acts of good deeds.
‘The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.’ Quran 97:1
Click to hear the The Night of Power Verse In The Holy Quran
Click to see Lailat Al Qadr (The Night) | Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Pay Obligatory Zakat Al Fitr
Every adult Muslim must pay the charity of Zakat Al Fitr to the poor and needy. It is an amount of food or the equivalent in money, so it can be purchased.
In Saudi Arabia, the amount is about 20 SR. You must use it to buy food. The minimum amount is one Sah or four handfuls of food, grain, dried fruit for each member of the family.
Pay Extra Charity
Muslims encourage each other to give extra charity during Ramdhan. They should be generous and perform other charitable acts in their communities or by giving donations.
Make Pilgrimage (Umrah)
Umrah in Ramadhan Is Equal to The Performance Of Hajj. Muslims should strive to do Hajj (Big Pilgrimage) and if this is not possible then they can do Umrah (Smaller Pilgrimage).
In a Hadith, an old lady called Um Maqal approached Prophet Mohammed said:
‘Oh, Messenger of Allah, I am very old and a sickly lady. Is there any action I can do which will be sufficient for my Hajj?’
Prophet Mohammed (SAW) informed her, ‘Umrah performed in the month of Ramadhan equals Hajj.’
Make Special Prayers (Dua)
Muslims prayer more earnestly during the nights of Ramadhan and Lailat Al Qadr believing Allah (SWT) will answer their prayers.
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.”
Surah Al Baqarah 186
Click to hear and read the verse here Surah Al Baqarah 186
About Ramadhan Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said:
“Oh People! The month of Allah has come with His mercies and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months in the eyes of Allah. Its days are the best of days, its nights are the best of nights, its hours are the best of hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him. You have been given the opportunity in this month to receive the honors from Allah, the Merciful.
In this month if you fast as ordained by Allah, every breath you take has the reward of Tasbeeh, and your sleep has the reward of worship. Your good deeds are rewarded more than usual, and your duas are accepted
Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in earnest, with hearts that are free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah may help you keep the fasts, and to recite the Holy Qur’an. Surely the person who in this month does not receive the mercy and benevolence of Allah is most unfortunate.’