10 Facts About Ramadan to Share with Your Non-Muslim Friends: Part I

by 21 March 202227 comments

ุจูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู„ู‡ู ุงู„ุฑูŽู‘ุญู’ู…ูฐู†ู ุงู„ุฑูŽู‘ุญููŠู’ู…ู

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

10 Facts About Ramadan to Share with Your Non-Muslim Friends: Part I

by Muslim Pro

Muslims worldwide are counting the days in anticipation of Ramadan. Yearly, most would be familiar with the often repeated questions from their non-Muslim counterparts who are curious about the preamble to Eid. Look no further, here is the first installment of the 2-part series for you to share with your non-Muslim friends about Ramadan:

1.ย Ramadanย is the month whereby the first verses of theย Quranย were revealed toย Prophet Muhammadย ๏ทบย in 610 CE. During this period, Muslims past the age of puberty abstain from food and water during daylight hours byย fasting. As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting is one of the ways to strengthen connection with Allah and live a life of righteousness. Moreover, as a shared experience, fasting builds solidarity among Muslims while developing empathy towards the needy and poor.

2. Muslims fast from dawn till dusk during Ramadan. Fasting also prohibits smoking and engaging in sexual intercourse. It has many health benefits and one of them being detoxification. Fasting is also not unique to Islam as other religions, such as Judaism, have similar practices.

3. Different parts of the world experience different intervals of sunrise and sunset. Thus, the global ummah experiencesย fasting in varied conditionsย depending on where they are located. For instance, in 2021, the Muslim community in Alaska, United States, had to fast for up to 17 and a half hours whereasย Muslims in the southernmost countriesย on the planet, such as Christchurch, New Zealand, only had to fast for 11 hours and 20 minutes! The evening meal after sunset is known asย iftar.

4. In daily preparation of fasting, Muslims generally do wake up early in the morning forย sahur/suhur, which refers to pre-dawn meal. This light meal before daybreak, albeit not mandatory, would help in sustaining one’s energy throughout the day.ย 

Untitled design 1 2 10 Facts About Ramadan to Share with Your Non-Muslim Friends: Part I

5.ย Datesย are a staple in Muslims’ dietary consumption and lifestyle, even more so during Ramadan. Every year, approximately 9 million metric tonnes are produced and the Ajwa date is the most expensive in the market. Besides being nutrition-packed, dates are also believed to be the preferred choice of food to break fast for Prophet Muhammadย ๏ทบ.

ย ุญูŽุฏูŽู‘ุซูŽู†ูŽุง ู…ูุญูŽู…ูŽู‘ุฏู ุจู’ู†ู ุฑูŽุงููุนูุŒ ุญูŽุฏูŽู‘ุซูŽู†ูŽุง ุนูŽุจู’ุฏู ุงู„ุฑูŽู‘ุฒูŽู‘ุงู‚ูุŒ ุฃูŽุฎู’ุจูŽุฑูŽู†ูŽุง ุฌูŽุนู’ููŽุฑู ุจู’ู†ู ุณูู„ูŽูŠู’ู…ูŽุงู†ูŽุŒ ุนูŽู†ู’ ุซูŽุงุจูุชูุŒ ุนูŽู†ู’ ุฃูŽู†ูŽุณู ุจู’ู†ู ู…ูŽุงู„ููƒูุŒ ู‚ูŽุงู„ูŽ โ€ “โ€ ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุจููŠูู‘ ุตู„ู‰ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู„ูŠู‡ ูˆุณู„ู… ูŠููู’ุทูุฑู ู‚ูŽุจู’ู„ูŽ ุฃูŽู†ู’ ูŠูุตูŽู„ูู‘ูŠูŽ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุฑูุทูŽุจูŽุงุชู ููŽุฅูู†ู’ ู„ูŽู…ู’ ุชูŽูƒูู†ู’ ุฑูุทูŽุจูŽุงุชูŒ ููŽุชูู…ูŽูŠู’ุฑูŽุงุชู ููŽุฅูู†ู’ ู„ูŽู…ู’ ุชูŽูƒูู†ู’ ุชูู…ูŽูŠู’ุฑูŽุงุชูŒ ุญูŽุณูŽุง ุญูŽุณูŽูˆูŽุงุชู ู…ูู†ู’ ู…ูŽุงุกู โ€”โ€ โ€.โ€ ู‚ูŽุงู„ูŽ ุฃูŽุจููˆ ุนููŠุณูŽู‰ ู‡ูŽุฐูŽุง ุญูŽุฏููŠุซูŒ ุญูŽุณูŽู†ูŒ ุบูŽุฑููŠุจูŒ โ€.โ€ ู‚ูŽุงู„ูŽ ุฃูŽุจููˆ ุนููŠุณูŽู‰ ูˆูŽุฑููˆููŠูŽ ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ุฑูŽุณููˆู„ูŽ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุตู„ู‰ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู„ูŠู‡ ูˆุณู„ู… ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ูŠููู’ุทูุฑู ูููŠ ุงู„ุดูู‘ุชูŽุงุกู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุชูŽู…ูŽุฑูŽุงุชู ูˆูŽูููŠ ุงู„ุตูŽู‘ูŠู’ูู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽุงุกู โ€.โ€

Anas bin Malik narrated: “The Messenger of Allah would break the fast with fresh dates before performing Salat. If there were no fresh dates then (he would break the fast) with dried dates, and if there were no dried dates then he would take a few sips of water.”

[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 696]

6. Ramadan is also an opportunity for (more!) sharing. Not just delicacies duringย iftar, but also knowledge in the effort to strengthen interfaith dialogue. A special time to learn more about and from each other. Asking questions to better understand your Muslim counterparts is always welcome.

7. In Islam, the pathway to God is always open to any individual.ย Allahย is also known as Al-Ghafoor or The Great Forgiver. Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and water. It is also about increasing spirituality in practice that translates into increased frequency in seeking God’s forgiveness. This in addition to learning to forgive others while seeking others’ forgiveness.

8. ‘A’ for appreciation. Hunger and thirst cultivate a deep sense of gratitude for one’s blessed life. The elementary needs associated with food and water put one on the same shared level with others in spite of differences in wealth or status; basic needs remain the same. Such experiences breed compassion for others facing rudimentary deficiencies all year round.

9. Reciting the Quran. 30 days of Ramadan dovetails with 30 sections of the holy book. Muslims would take the opportunity toย khatam, i.e. complete reading the Quran. It is an act of getting closer to God. It is completed individually, but could be executed in a group whether with friends or family.

Technology has helped in providing such a strong impetus. One being the Khatam feature of the Muslim Pro app. Users will have the option to use either the app, or read using a physical Quran. They could also invite their friends and families from around the world to read the Quran together while keeping track of each others’ progress.

Untitled design 4 10 Facts About Ramadan to Share with Your Non-Muslim Friends: Part I

10. Last but not least, do not be afraid to wish your Muslim friends the following: Ramadan Mubarak, or Ramadan Kareem, which roughly translates into ‘Have a blessed Ramadan’.

Share this article with your colleagues, friends and family. Then, head over to the comments section below and highlight any other interesting questions or facts about Ramadan. And, look out for the second installment, next week!

About The Author

Muslim Pro Team

Comprised of a diverse team of writers, editors, and experts, the Muslim Pro Team is committed to delivering insightful, relevant, and authentic content that resonates with the global Muslim community. With a passion for Islamic spirituality, culture, and modern living, our team members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every article, ensuring that Muslim Pro remains a trusted source for guidance, inspiration, and connection in the digital age. Together, we strive to empower and uplift Muslims worldwide on their journey of faith and personal growth.

27 Comments

  1. Resh

    Jazakallahu Khairan for putting this very important information together. Very very useful.

    Reply
    • Kadijatu Mansaray

      Alhamdulilah

      Reply
    • Sharifa

      Jazakallahu Khairan very important information

      Reply
  2. Linda Boado

    Thank you for this article

    Reply
  3. Sarper sami saral

    The bench mark is the ideal islamic law environment that Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and the sahabe had established in Medina back then…

    Today, even the most pious Sunni Muslim depends upon Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness for on going purifications…

    Allah swt Conceals faults, in both worlds (i.e. on Judgement Day) of those who are likewise towards others in His Kingdom…

    Allah swt is The All Just…

    There is the one tenth factor of what sahabe carried out, in an ideal environment, which applies to sincere Sunni Muslims today…

    Alhumdulillah…

    Reply
  4. Hamda Sulaiman

    May Allah Reward you for the important massage

    Reply
  5. Maryam

    Jazakallah khairan

    Reply
  6. Abdul Razak bin Haji Mohd Yusoff

    Jazakallahu Khairan for this important information.
    May Allah bless all Muslims this Ramadhan. Aameen.

    Reply
    • Hanif

      May Allah reward you for sharing this information!

      Reply
    • Tuti.S

      Jazakhumullahu khairan,such really good information.๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

      Reply
    • Eliza

      Ameen

      Reply
  7. Abida

    Thank you for the beautiful reminder

    Reply
    • Theresa

      Thanks for the information

      Reply
  8. Opal Muhammad

    Shukran! Iโ€™m so grateful for your important reminders regarding the blessed month of Ramadan.

    Reply
    • Sharifa

      Assalamu alaikum. Jazakallah khair. Maa shaa Allah. I love the article.

      Reply
      • Jahidah

        Alhumdulillah for the must needed articles and information that was provided for the reminder that we all meed. May Allah (SWT) continue to bless you with the knowledge of Islam and Ramadan for the ones that dont know and the ones that do. Allahu Akbar

        Reply
  9. Titilola

    I have always heard that eating Sahur makes the fast that day valid. I have always wondered though, so it’s refreshing to read here today that it’s isn’t as mandatory as I have been told. By the way, I’m a Christian but I like to read enlightening articles about Islam for proper understanding of some of my friends/colleagues religion.

    Reply
    • Sharifa

      I believe suhur is a sunnah not fard. Meaning its something the prophet did so its encourage not mandatory.

      Reply
  10. ROYA FEROZE LILLA

    really like your subscription . It makes the understanding of Ramadan so easy & simple .The fact that you can invite your non muslim freinds for Iftar is an added benefit where they can hear & see ever thing first hand about a religeon that is still very misunderstood.

    Reply
  11. Al Zwikker

    Ramadan Mubarak

    Reply
  12. Mohamed Hassan Saleh

    Happy Ramadan

    Reply
  13. Ibrahim

    I would like to say Elhamdellah for the non muslims that have commented and making a great effort to understand and learn more about Islam and how peaceful and majestic it truly is, rather than what mainstream media and others say about Islam

    Reply
    • Abdulkarim

      Asalam alakum may Allah bless us all and submit us in highest levels of Jannah amiin.

      Reply
  14. zoritoler imol

    Good day! I simply wish to give a huge thumbs up for the good info you have right here on this post. I will likely be coming again to your weblog for extra soon.

    Reply
  15. graliontorile

    Well I truly enjoyed reading it. This article offered by you is very useful for accurate planning.

    Reply
  16. Estralita Doheny

    Alhumdulilah. Ramadan Mubarak. Thank you

    Reply
    • Hamza Saadi

      Assalamualaikum muslim brothers and sisters.I live in Canada.I like this article written.Alhamdulilah,I wish to meet muslim brothers and sisters on how to spread islam to every part of the earth.

      Reply

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