Ramadan, a blessed month for Muslims, commemorates the revelation of the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad (sura 2, 185). It is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is therefore part of the prescriptions incumbent on Muslim believers, with the Shahada (profession of faith attesting that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is his messenger), the salat (prayer), the zakat (alms) and the hajj (pilgrimage to the holy places of Mecca). This year, Ramadan begins on March 23.
What are the origins of Ramadan?
Word ramadan means, in French, “great heat” and designates the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. In pre-Islamic Arab society, it was a month of truce which had, perhaps, a distant relationship with the sacred periods of Christianity (Lent) or Judaism (Yom Kippur). It could also correspond to a necessary civil and military inactivity during a heat wave.
The 27the Ramadan day commemorates the “night of destiny” when the angel Gabriel (Djibril) is said to have appeared for the first time to the Prophet Muhammad in order to reveal the Koran to him. This month of fasting is therefore closely linked to the Muslim sacred text, the first revealed verse of which is « Lis ! » (sura 96, 1).
Muslims are therefore invited to reread the entire Koran during this month of Ramadan, hence the institution of an additional session of common prayers (tarawih), in the evening, in the mosques, only during this period of the year – a tradition which some trace back to the second caliph Omar (579-644).
This month therefore has a Muslim significance strictly speaking, while also undoubtedly having pagan origins, following the example of certain Christian holidays stemming from Judaism and the Canaanite or even Roman religion (Easter, for example, corresponds to an ancient spring festival, and Christmas at a celebration of the winter solstice).
When he settled in Medina, the Prophet had ordered a day of fasting (Ashura), set on the tenth day of the year, modeled on the compulsory Jewish fast of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). However, a few years later, Muhammad chose another time of abstinence, more extensive and more restrictive, after the revelation of a new set of verses. From now on, the faithful fast during the whole month of the Muslim lunar calendar called Ramadan.
What does the Quran say?
“The Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan. It is a Direction for men; a clear manifestation of the Direction and the Law. Whoever of you sees the new moon will fast the whole month. The one who is sick or the one who travels will then fast the same number of days. God wants ease for you, he does not want constraint for you. Complete this period of fasting; exalt the greatness of God who has directed you (…). »
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