Ramadhan terms

Do you know what these Ramadhan terms mean?

You hear conversations about Ramadhan, and a lot of terms come you might/might not know come up. Here's your guide to Ramadhan terms :)

Ramadhan Mubarak

• A common Ramadhan greeting exchanged at the start of the month, which means congratulations on the arrival of the holy month.

Ramadhan Kareem

• It literally means ‘Generous Ramadan’. Since the fasting period is an opportunity for Muslims to receive many blessings and be thankful, the month is considered generous.

Sahur

• The meal consumed at dawn before the start of the fast 

Imsak

• The start of a fast. It begins when the first light of dawn becomes visible, shortly before the dawn call to prayer.

Iftar

• The sunset meal that ends the day’s fast. It is a time for family and friends to come together to break the fast and usually consists of a spread traditional treats.

Tarawih

• A special congregational prayer held every evening after people break their fasts. People are encouraged to offer Tarawih in mosques.

Lailatul Qadr

• Also known as the Night of Power, is the night that the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Mohammad. The exact date is unknown, but it may fall on any of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th day of the month of Ramadhan). Special late night prayers known as Qiyam-ul-Lail are held in mosques as Muslims ‘seek’ this glorious night. As revealed in the Quran, praying on this night equates prayers of a thousand months.

Itikaaf

• The practice of spiritual retreat or isolation that some Muslims carry out during the last 10 days of Ramadhan. It can be completed in a mosque or at home and requires a person to dedicate their time solely to prayer, reflection and recitation of the Quran. 

Zakat

• One of the pillars of Islam which requires adult Muslims to pay 2.5% of their wealth and assets, including income, property, gold or harvest, to the poor and needy. It is applicable on wealth that is in excess of one’s basic needs that has stayed in your possession for one whole lunar year. Whilst this charity may be given during any time of the year, it is common practice to pay this amount during Ramadhan.  

Zakat Fitrah

• A special form of charity that Muslims are required to offer before the end of Ramadhan. It is meant to give the poor and needy a means to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadhan. 

Takbir

• This refers to the phrase ‘Allah-u-Akbar’, which means ‘God is Great’. It is mainly used as an expression of faith, but is also repeated in every step of every rakaat in prayer. 

Aidil Fitri

• A three-day Muslim celebration that marks the end of Ramadhan. It is made up of prayers, visits from friends and family, tasty treats and desserts and gifts. Muslims also seek forgiveness from Allah and start afresh following a month of fasting. It also marks the first day of Syawal, which is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.

Eid prayers

• The end of Ramadhan is marked with a celebration known as Aidil Fitri. On the morning of Eid, Muslims flock to mosques or special designated open areas for the prayers. En route to the Eid prayers, the Takbir is recited in congregation.

Qada

• Refers to making up missed fasts due to travelling, sickness etc. This can be done on any day of the year except on the days of Aidil Fitri and Aidil Adha.