Ramadan and the Role Dates Play in this Religious Holiday
Ramadan began on the evening of Saturday, April 2 and will continue through sundown on Sunday, May 1. This 30-day period is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and serves as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, giving and introspection. Sphinx Date Co. delves into this Muslim religious holiday and the role that delicious dates play in it!
Ramadan is considered the holy month of fasting. The holiday begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. According to Britannica, “Islamic tradition state that it was during Ramadan, on the “Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr) — commemorated on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually the 27th night — that God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Qur’ān, Islam’s holy book, ‘as a guidance for the people.’”
It is believed that those who observe Ramadan through fasting, prayer and faithful intention will be forgiven of past sins by God. During the holy month, Muslims practice self-restraint, abstaining from food and drink (as well as sexual activity and “all forms of immoral behavior”) between dawn and dusk.
After their sunset prayer, Muslims gather with friends, family and loved ones to break their fast with iftar, which usually begins with dates! This tradition is believed to follow the custom of Muhammad.
Britannica states, “’The Qur’ān indicates that eating and drinking are permissible only until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn.’ Thus, Muslims in some communities sound drums or ring bells in the predawn hours to remind others that it is time for the meal before dawn, called the suhūr.”
Dates also play an important role in the celebratory meal serves as the holy month commences. This feast and celebration is called Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. This celebration is among one of the religion’s most important holidays. Typically this delicious feast includes dates and other traditional foods like honey, bread, figs, fruit and olives. “In some communities Eid al-Fitr is quite elaborate: children wear new clothes, women dress in white, special pastries are baked, gifts are exchanged, the graves of relatives are visited and people gather for family meals and to pray in mosques.”
Sphinx Date Co. is happy to help Ramadan revelers break their fast with delicious dates! The company is stocked with fresh dates in bulk available online and in-store at the Palm and Pantry. Gift tins and trays are also available for gift gifting and serving throughout the holiday.