Ramadan Guide 2021 - Tower Hamlets Education Partnership
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PUBLISHED APRIL 2020 Ramadan Guide 2021 Tower Hamlets Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) A guidance handbook developed for teachers, carers and parents, in partnership with the London Muslim Centre and the Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques.
CONTENTS
1. Welcome
2. Ramadan at a Glance
3. Advice for Schools, Parents & Guardians
4. Ramadan Key Facts
5. Further References
“Oh You who believe! Fasting has been
Prescribed to you as it was prescribed
to those before you so that you may be
mindful of God”
[Qur’an 2:183]
WELCOME
Shaykh Mohammed Mahmoud OBE
Senior Imam East London Mosque
aware that it is a religious manageable under the social
obligation to strictly adhere distancing measures. However,
to all public health advice and children under the age of 12 will
government guidance and also to not be admitted into mosques.
do everything possible to ensure Please also be reminded
the safety of themselves, their that our health is the key to
W elcome to Ramadan 2021,
the most anticipated
month of the Islamic calender
children and by extension school
teachers and staff.
happiness, and what we consume
directly affects our health. Islam
encourages Muslims to ensure
for Muslims, with an abundence These measures have been that they are mindful of their
for blessing and an opoprtunity put in place to prevent the health. The Prophet (s) said:
for prayer and reflection over the transmission and spread of the “Take advantage of the good
year. illness. It is impermissible (haram) health before illnesses afflict
With renewed ambition, we according to Islam to disregard you”. He also encouraged
find our mosques slowly open such directives and measures that Muslims to try their best to take
again for collective worship; seek to protect lives. Additionally, up a healthy living lifestyle that
having had the previous Ramadan it is forbidden in Islam for anyone includes a balanced diet, regular
coincide with the lockdown, infected with this illness to enter mental and physical exercise and
we must remain vigilant and public places or go to the mosque a balance between material and
use our mosque facilities with for congregational prayers, spiritual needs.
caution, ensuring we continue to including Friday and Eid prayers.
observe all the social distancing We of course, welcome
measures to help keep us safe this “If you hear that a plague suggestions and ideas to
Ramadan. continually improve the
has broken out in a land, information contained in this
There is no doubt that schools do not go to towards it; guide, and will try our best to
carry an enormous responsibility but if it breaks out in a land help our schools to remain a safe
to ensure children gain the and healthy environment during
necessary life skills, confidence where you are present, Ramadan.
and knowledge to prepare them do not go out escaping
for life in a challenging world. from it.” We hope you will find this
They are also playing a vital guide useful, and together with
part in the battle against the [Bukhari 5730] SACRE and other supporting
coronavirus by providing a safe partners will help to ensure
and supportive environment for This Ramadan, Mosques Tower Hamlets continues to work
the families of key workers. have decided to open with together as one.
reduced capacity, and prayers
Muslim families should be will be shorter to keep things
Page 1
RAMADAN AT A GLANCE
This is a standard Ramadan Timetable for Muslims. It lists out the whole month with the times as they
change coinciding with the rising and setting of the sun.
April Suhur Fajr Iftar ‘Ishā
Ramadan Day
May Ends Jamā‘ah Maghrib Tārāwīh
01 Tue 13 Apr 4:34 4:54 7:57 9:45
02 Wed 14 Apr 4:32 4:52 7:59 9:45
03 Thu 15 Apr 4:30 4:50 8:01 9:45
THE 10 DAYS OF MERCY
04 Fri 16 Apr 4:27 4:47 8:02 9:45
05 Sat 17 Apr 4:25 4:45 8:04 9:45
06 Sun 18 Apr 4:22 4:44 8:06 9:45
RAMADAN 2021/1442
07 Mon 19 Apr 4:20 4:40 8:07 9:45
08 Tue 20 Apr 4:18 4:38 8:09 9:45
09 Wed 21 Apr 4:15 4:35 8:11 9:45
10 Thu 22 Apr 4:13 4:23 8:12 10:00
11 Fri 23 Apr 4:11 4:31 8:14 10:00
THE 10 DAYS OF FORGIVENESS
12 Sat 24 Apr 4:08 4:28 8:16 10:00
13 Sun 25 Apr 4:06 4:26 8:17 10:00
14 Mon 26 Apr 4:04 4:24 8:19 10:00
15 Tue 27 Apr 4:01 4:21 8:21 10:00
16 Wed 28 Apr 3:59 4:19 8:22 10:00
17 Thu 29 Apr 3:57 4:17 8:24 10:00
18 Fri 30 Apr 3:54 4:14 8:25 10:00
19 Sat 1 May 3:51 4:11 8:27 10:00
20 Sun 2 May 3:49 4:09 8:29 10:15
21 Mon 3 May 3:46 4:06 8:30 10:15
22 Tue 4 May 3:45 4:05 8:32 10:15
THE 10 DAYS OF SALVATION
23 Wed 5 May 3:42 4:02 8:34 10:15
24 Thu 6 May 3:40 4:00 8:35 10:15
25 Fri 7 May 3:37 3:57 8:37 10:15
26 Sat 8 May 3:36 3:56 8:38 10:15
27 Sun 9 May 3:33 3:53 8:40 10:15
28 Mon 10 May 3:31 3:51 8:42 10:15
29 Tue 11 May 3:29 3:49 8:43 10:15
30 Wed 12 May 3:27 3:47 8:45 10:15
(01) Thu 13 May 3:25 3:45 8:46 10:15
Page 2
What does a typical day in Ramadan look like?
Pre-dawn Meal (Suhoor)
This is an essential meal for Muslims
as this will replace breakfast during
the month of Ramadan. This
pre-dawn meal should be
wholesome and filling in
order to sustain energy for
many hours, and needs to
be eaten before sunrise.
Take the Suhoor meal,
for there is blessing in it
[Bukhari & Muslim]
During the summer
fasts, the days are
longer, and the nights
are shorter. Please advise
pupils and parents to make
healthy food choices and to
ensure pupils are consuming
more liquids than usual, avoiding
caffeine and sugar drinks.
Breaking the Fast (Iftar)
This meal coincides exactly with the
Night Prayers (Tarawih) setting of the sun. As per tradition,
Tarawih is a recommended voluntary act Muslims break their fast with dates
of worship, which can only take place and water, followed by a cooked
during the month of Ramadan. This is meal which should contain all the
why it is extremely popular. Muslims necessary nutrients for a healthy
can perform anything from four, eight, balanced diet.
twelve or 20 units of prayer (rak’ats).
Salman ibn ‘Amir reported: The
During this prayer portions of the Qur’an Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said,
are recited out loud with the aim to “When one of you breaks his fast, let
complete the full recitation by the close him break it with dates for they are
of Ramadan known as ‘khatam’. This blessed. If they are not found, let him
prayer usually takes around 1.5/2 hours break it with water for it is pure.”
and concludes close to midnight.
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi 695]
Page 3
ADVICE FOR SCHOOLS,
PARENTS & GUARDIANS
M any schools stay for extra curricular clubs Lastly, teachers should use
and activities may also want to their judgement to adjust lessons,
are often observe thier ‘Asr prayer. being mindful that in addition
understandably to not eating or drinking there
concerned about the Schools should do what they may be underlying issues, as
can to facilitate Muslim pupils it is normal for pupils to have
impact fasting in who want to observe their disturbed sleep patterns during
Ramadan may have on a midday prayer. Pupils should be the first week of Ramadan.
student’s education and encouraged to remain focused
and continue to work hard during However, if a pupil continues to
attainment. Ramadan. struggle, then teachers should
consult with parents raising any
Teachers and all other staff
Teachers may wish to adjust concerns where necessary.
who will be in contact with pupils
lesson plans when strenuous
who are fasting need to be aware
physical activity is involved to
about Ramadan, and what it
make allowances for pupils that
entails.
are fasting. It may be advisable to
limit time outside in hot weather
Any questions regarding the
to avoid dehydration.
rulings around fasting should be
put forward to an Imam or SACRE.
If pupils do take part, they should
be reminded that they will not be
It is normal to observe a
able to take in any fluid (including
change in behaviour and practices
water) until sun-down.
amongst pupils during this fasting
month. You may see pupils
Teachers may wish to refrain
putting in extra effort in increased
from discussion or comment
self awareness and an extra effort
about food in the presence of
to secure self-improvement.
Muslim pupils. However this does
not nullify the fast, it is only out
You may find additional
of respect.
requests for prayer space, as more
The objective is for teachers
pupils avoid eating during lunch,
Teachers may wish to consume and pupils to find a balanced
they often congregate in multi-
food and water at their leisure understanding and a workable
faith rooms where these are
but be mindful of Muslim pupils outcome that ensures their faith
available.
who may find it difficult to is respected and their education is
concentrate if food and water is not disturbed.
The midday prayer is the only
consumed in their presence.
prayer that pupils will want to
Parents should not force
observe during school hours.
It is advisable to postpone any their children to observe the
This is because it naturally falls
tests during Ramadan where this night prayer (Tarawih). Children
within the lunch hour and schools
is possible to reduce stress of who wish to participate in the
should expect higher footfall at
fasting pupils and to reduce the congregational night prayers
the ablution areas and increased
possibility that they may under- should observe half, or 8 units
usage of the multi-faith prayer
perform in these circumstances. in order that they may get a good
rooms. Moreover, pupils who
Page 4
Advice for Primary Schools
nights rest for the next day. Teachers should know that sleepiness, mood swings and
fasting is not obligatory for headaches. Such behaviour is
Parents should also ensure young children, until they reach particularly prominent in very
that their children are consuming adolescence. young children, therefore it is
more fluids than usual, and help recommended that schools talk
make healthy food choices for The Prophet (Pbuh) said: to parents and encourage fasts
both Suhoor and Iftar. at the weekends only.
“The pens have been lifted
Parents can consult with their Schools should not encourage
local Imams and their doctors for from three: from one who children to break their fast
better guidance on children who has lost his mind until he early unless it is for health
take medication, or are due for comes back to his senses, and safeguarding reason. The
any surgeries. overriding consideration should
from one who is sleeping be that the children do not
until he wakes up, and feel disadvantaged in school
from a child until he activities because of their
religious choices.
reaches the age of
adolescence.” Alternatively, if a fasting child
is unwell, the school has an
Narrated Abu Dawood 4399. overriding safeguarding duty to
protect the child against any
Pupils in early key stages often health risks.
partake in fasting at leisure. It is
not advised for children younger
than seven to observe a whole
fast, and they should be doing
it under parental supervision
and outside of school hours.
It is essential that parents
Fasting should not override the communicate to teachers any
health of an individual as Islam children who are observing the
prioritises health and well-being fast to safeguard them against
above the rites of fasting. health risks.
Fasting only becomes
obligatory for Muslims at the age
of when a pupil reaches puberty.
Prior to that it is common
for parents and guardians to
encourage half-day and weekend
fasts. Teachers and staff at the
school should be aware of some
of the effects of summer day
fasts, which include
Page 5RAMADAN KEY FACTS
Fasting is the fourth of the five health reasons, they can feed a more significance.
pillars of Islam known as Sawm. poor person or donate towards ‘The Night of Al-Qadr is better than
feeding a poor person for each a thousand months’ [Quran 97:3].
Ramadan is the ninth lunar day missed.
calender month of the year. Muslims treat Ramadan as the
The amount will vary from ‘end of year’ to calculate their
Ramadan begins 10 or 11 days country to country based on the Zakat obligatory charity. Over
earlier each year in the Gregorian price of an average meal, but in £100m is collected in the UK
calendar. Taking approximately the UK it is usually £5. during Ramadan alone.
33 years to move through the
seasons. The Qur’an was revealed to the So what breaks a fast?
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in
‘The month of Ramadan (is the the month of Ramadan, so it is Eating, drinking, smoking or
month) in which the Qur’an has a month of spiritual, moral and Sexual intercourse.
been sent down as guidance for social significance to Muslims all
over the world. Self-induced vomiting.
mankind containing clear signs
which lead (to the straight road)
The last ten nights of Ramadan A woman starting her
and distinguishing (the truth from are viewed as particularly sacred menstruation while fasting.
falsehood)..’ [Qur’an 2:185] and Muslims often use this time
to further increase their acts of Injections that provide
Fasting refers to the refraining worship and disengage from any nourishment.
from the consumption of food, distractions.
drink, smoking and sexual
The following does not
relations during daylight hours, Some Muslims choose to enter a break a fast.
until sunset. time of seclusion during the last
ten days of Ramadan. This act is Using an inhaler for health
Muslims use this month as a called Itekaf. purposes e.g. for asthma or any
marker to improve their conduct
medicine prescribed by a doctor
and give up any bad practices Laylaat ul Qadr (‘the night of to maintain health.
power’) is the night in which the
Fasting is obligatory for all men Qur’an was first revealed to the Minor bleeding from a minor
and women once they reach the Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh) by accident.
age of puberty. the Angel Gabriel, from Allah.
Giving a small amount of blood
There are exemptions made ‘Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) for testing.
for the sick, the traveller, and
down in the night of Al-Qadr’
menstruating woman.
[Qur’an 97:1]
Any missed fasts are required to
be made-up at a later date.
During the odd nights of the last
ten nights, Muslims increase their
If an individual is not able to
worship further. Most Muslims
complete their fast during the
feel the twenty seventh night
year, due to illnesses and other
and the twenty ninth night are of
Page 6FURTHER REFERENCES
Qur’an & The Prophetic Traditions (Hadith)
“The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind
containing clear signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood)..”
[Quran 2:185]
Abu-Huraira reported that the Prophet of Allah said
“Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions (during the month of ramadan),
Allah is not in need of his leaving food and drink”
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and
hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.”
Other voluntary but recommended fasts include;
Twice a week, being Mondays and Thursdays.
Three days in the middle of each (Islamic) month
according to the lunar calendar – 13th, 14th and 15th.
Two days, being the 9th and 10th of the first month of the Islamic calendar (Muharram).
Frequently in the month leading up to Ramadan.
Six days in the month following Ramadan (i.e.. Shawwal).
Page 7For more information about SACRE please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG T: (0)20 7364 5006 E: Carolyn.Lindsay@the-partnership.org.uk
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