Not Even Water? Observing Ramadan in Texas
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If I had a penny for every time I’ve been asked this question during Ramadan, boy, would I be rich! Every year, fasting Muslims like myself face surprise and confusion when we politely refuse a food offering, saying, “Thanks, but I’m fasting.” With the number of Muslims in Texas currently standing at more than 420,000 (the fifth largest Muslim population in any US state), there is a sense of growing awareness and learning about this holy month.
However, with most of the Muslim community concentrated in cities such as Houston, Austin, and DFW, much of the rest of the state has little to no experience of Ramadan. So, as I embark on this year’s journey of renewing my intentions and my relationship with God, allow me to break things down to the basics and answer some frequently asked queries about Ramadan (I promise you, there will be food!).
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle or phases of the moon. It marks a 29 to 30-day period – starting from the sighting of the new moon, which signals the first day of the month – in which practicing Muslims abstain from eating or drinking between the Fajr prayer (at the break of dawn) and the Maghrib prayer (at sunset).
Adult Muslims are required (unless you are exempt) to fast in the daylight hours of Ramadan, which involves abstaining from not just food and drink, but also acts that are considered to be vices. For Muslims, this is a time for piety and spirituality – an opportunity to get closer to God. Actually, the name Ramadan comes from the Arabic word “Ramad”, which means “to burn” or “to be hot”. And so, Ramadan is believed to be a time where our fasting and other good deeds burn away the impurities of our souls, and get us more in tune with the will of God.
How Do You Start and Break a Fast?
Muslims typically have a meal before beginning their fast called “suhoor”. It is advised to have a balanced suhoor that includes protein, healthy carbs, and electrolytes. Later at sunset, Muslims break their fast with a meal called an “iftar”. While the iftar is also supposed to be a healthy balanced meal, cultural traditions encourage celebratory foods. Some popularly known iftar foods include hearty fried foods (What wine goes well with fried foods?) such as samosas (stuffed filo pastry), sweetmeats like kunafah (a dessert made with fine semolina dough, soaked in sweet syrup, layered with cheese), and indulgent dishes featuring meat and grains such as hares (wheat and meat porridge).
Ramadan in my household would pretty much be 30 days of my sister and I trying to decide what delicacies we should try for iftar and who would be doing “dish duty” afterwards. We would scour cookbooks to find mouthwatering iftar treats and then be prepping for them almost from midday.
So, It’s Like Intermittent Fasting?
Dr. Hasan Gokal, a Muslim doctor with more than two decades of experience, believes fasting during Ramadan is more complex than intermittent fasting.
“You’re talking about not eating or drinking anything from sunup to sundown,” he says. “With intermittent fasting, you can drink water; you can drink things like coffee, drinks that don’t have calories,” Dr Gokal continued. “But while fasting in Ramadan, depending on the country you live in, the time between sunrise and sunset can be really long. So it is genuinely much harder.”
So, You Really Can’t Eat or Drink During Ramadan? Not Even Water?
Nope. Not even water. While fasting, Muslims are also not allowed to have sexual relations, smoke, vape, take nutritional injections, or even chew gum.
Does Everybody Have to Fast During Ramadan? What About Kids or the Elderly, or the Sick?
There are, of course, exceptions when it comes to who is obligated to fast and who isn’t. For example, the sick, the elderly, children, travelers, and those pregnant or breastfeeding are excused from fasting.
But Don’t You Get Hungry? Or Hangry, Even?
We all know that one person who gets extra grumpy while fasting. But the amazing thing about fasting during Ramadan is that one is encouraged to be more mindful of one’s actions and intentions. A fast devoid of compassion, generosity, patience, and spiritual growth is really a meaningless one.
Can You Eat in Front of a Muslim While They are Fasting?
Honestly, after years of fasting during Ramadan, we don’t feel tempted by food during our fast. The sight of food doesn’t cause us to lose control and devour everything in sight. But we don’t make any promises for after we’ve broken the fast!
How Does One Greet Muslims During Ramadan?
Ramadan is a very unifying time for Muslims, with prayer congregations and community iftars bringing together people from various backgrounds as they get together to observe this sacred month. We’re delighted when friends of different faiths recognize and celebrate with us. Saying “Happy Ramadan” or “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed Ramadan) is an excellent way to show your support.
Can I Fast Even if I’m Not Muslim?
You’re definitely welcome to have a go! While there is the aspect of staying off food and drink, spiritual abstinence is what brings out a whole new dimension of the human personality. Abstaining from vices and focusing more on giving and sharing is incredibly rewarding, so if anyone wants to fast, get a friend who’s already fasting and get to know the process for a day to see what it feels like. Who knows, you might be surprised!
So, What Happens After the Month of Ramadan?
After a month of fasting, Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid ul Fitr. This is a three-day celebration that starts with prayers and charity and is followed by days of visiting or receiving guests, giving gifts, and enjoying some really indulgent food (I’m talking biryanis and lamb roasts!).
Ramadan in Texas is all about a strong sense of community and harmony. If you would like to learn more, feel free to connect with the Islamic Association of North Texas, the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, or ISGH.org.
Here’s wishing everyone a Blessed Ramadan!
