Ramadan Kareem 14 words you will hear during the Holy Month

Hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide observe iftar the month of Ramadan Kareem zakat al fitr, eid al fitr words for holy week each year.

Throughout the holy month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with prayer, giving money to charity (zakat), Hajj, and saying the Shahada, which is a profession of faith.

Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar and is a way to get closer to Allah, as well as recognizing the needs of the underprivilege.

For those who are unfamiliar with Ramadan, here are several words you will likely hear often throughout the month.

The festival of Ramadan is around the corner and Muslims across the world are waiting to see the first crescent moon which marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan or Ramazan is celebrate in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Ramadan is important as it is the month of fasting, praying and also spending quality time with one’s family.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is said to the holiest month according to the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is observe by Muslims across the globe as a month of fasting. The annual observance of Ramadan is also regard as the Five Pillars of Islam. The holy month of Ramadan 2020 will most likely begin from April 24, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon and will last for four weeks. On this day, fasting from sunrise to sunset is said to be a religious duty for all the Muslims. The predawn meal is call Sehar and the night feast at night which breaks the fast is known as Iftar.

What is Ramadan Kareem?

‘Ramadan Kareem’ is the Arabic greeting phrase which means to have a bless Ramadan or Happy Ramadan. The meaning of Ramadan Kareem is ‘may Ramadan be generous to you. Ramadan Kareem also refers to the Generous month of Ramadan. It is an expression that is use to greet and pray. It is believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah blesses, rewards and forgives faithful Muslims without any limit.

1. Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan Kareem translates from Arabic to “generous Ramadan”. It is the most common greeting use in the UAE.

In Islam, the holy month is believe to bring many rewards, so Muslims wish a generous Ramadan to each other.

Ramadan Mubarak is another common greeting that means “happy Ramadan” or “blesse Ramadan”.

You can use this or Ramadan Kareem as a way of greeting one another throughout the holy month.

2. Sawm or Siyam

These variations of the same word translate from Arabic to “fast”.

While fasting, Muslims do not eat, drink or smoke. A greater focus is place on worshipping, being thankful, getting closer to Allah and understanding the needs of the underprivilege.

You might also hear “ana Sayim / Sayma”, which means “I am fasting”.

3. Iftar

This is the meal that you open your fast with. It will be the first Ramadan in three years to be held without Covid-19 restrictions, after authorities drop an indoor mask mandate in September last year.

Previous limitations on gatherings that once affect Ramadan traditions, such as visiting family and iftar or Suhoor tents are no longer in place, allowing the full spirit of the month to felt once more. Usually, majlis or tents are set up to host large gatherings for iftar.

5. Suhoor

Suhoor is the meal eaten before the fast begins, just before dawn. Health experts recommend lots of water and healthy food options to keep the body hydrated throughout the day.

6. Imsak

This Arabic word means beginning the daily fast. It is a period of time, words for holy week about 10 minutes, before the dawn prayer begins and when people, who have eaten Suhoor, must stop eating.

7. Mosaharaty

A mosaharaty is a person that roams the streets waking Muslims just before dawn to have Suhoor. The traditional job is fast disappearing from modern life but can still be find in some areas of Egypt and Indonesia. Some use drums while others recite prayers to wake the sleepers.

8. Qada

Qada means to make up for an Islamic duty that was missed. During Ramadan, words for holy week this is typically referred to someone doing something to make up for missing a fast.

Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan unless they are unwell, travelling or menstruating. Other reasons a Muslim might need to make up for missing a fast include accidentally eating or drinking, excessive bleeding or throwing up.

9. Kaffara

When a Muslim misses a fast for other reasons, they may need to carry out a penalty, which is called Kaffara. This requires the individual to fast an additional 60 days. If they are unable to, they must instead feed 60 underprivileged people, with one average meal served to each.

10. Salah

Salah is prayer. Muslims are obliged to pray five times a day – words for holy week fajr is the dawn prayer, dhuhr is in the afternoon, asr is in late afternoon, maghrib is the sunset prayer and isha is also a late evening prayer. During Ramadan, Muslims are encourage to also pray tarawih – though this is not obligatory.