Ramadan is one of the Islamic calendar’s most special and loved months - a time for reflection, prayer, and reward. Donate your Zakat.
During this blessed month, Muslims in the UK and worldwide join to celebrate their faith, reflecting on the wisdom of the Holy Qur’an, fasting during the day, and praying at night.
However, it is not just the physical act of fasting that is practised during Ramadan. Abstaining from sinful or impure thoughts is just as important as not eating between sunrise and sunset – fasting of the body, mind, and spirit provides many opportunities to connect with Allah (SWT) through prayer and giving thanks for the blessings He gives us every day.
Many of our brothers and sisters worldwide struggle to survive every day. That is why we give Zakat-al-Fitr – donated before Eid-al-Fitr prayers – to enable as many people as possible to celebrate Eid with a delicious meal of their own.
Generosity and selflessness bring great rewards in Islam, and during the beloved month of Ramadan, these blessings and rewards are greatly multiplied. Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power) falls during the last 10 nights of Ramadan and marks when the Holy Qur’an was first sent to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The rewards of performing good deeds and generous acts in the Night of Power are worth a thousand months, infinitely multiplied. Let’s make the most of this blessed month while investing in our Hereafter.
We wish you a blessed month filled with infinite reward – Ameen.
For Ramadan 2024, UK Islamic Mission is once again asking our supporters to please consider supporting our charity work in Ramadan and the rest of the year. Your donations go a long way in helping those most in need in the United Kingdom and worldwide.
Ramadan 2024 is expected to start on Sunday, 10 March, and to finish on Tuesday, 9 April, with Eid-al-Fitr starting on Wednesday, 10 April. These dates are subject to change as per the official sighting of the moon.
The month of Ramadan is the ninth of the Islamic calendar. In this auspicious time, all eligible Muslims are obligated to fast from dawn to sunset (this is one of the Five Pillars of Islam). While fasting, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, impure thoughts, and partaking in any ill-natured acts. Ramadan is closed with a festival or celebration, Eid-al-Fitr.
The daily fast is opened with a meal just before dawn, called Suhoor, which precedes the first prayer of the day. The fast is closed shortly after sunset with a second meal – Iftar – which typically starts with dates and water.
Although charitable giving is a big part of Islam, the rewards given for Ramadan charity are manifold. One of the types of Zakat is Zakat-al-Fitr (also known as Fitrana), which allows less fortunate people to join in the blessed Eid celebrations. Fitrana donations must be made before Eid prayers commence for the money to reach those in need in time for the festivities.
Translated from Arabic, the literal Ramadan meaning is ‘burning/scorching heat’ – this is because the month of Ramadan, the ninth in the Islamic calendar, initially fell during a hot time of year. The reason why this month is so significant for Muslims is that Ramadan is the month that Allah (SWT) first revealed the holy Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Muslims fast and pray more than usual during Ramadan to feel closer to Allah (SWT). Abstinence and self-discipline help us focus all our efforts on worship, which is why many Muslims choose to recite the Holy Qur’an during this month.
“Ramadan Mubarak” translates to “Blessed Ramadan”, meaning it’s a phrase used to wish people well during the month of Ramadan.
The Ramadan fasting times will vary depending on the time of year that Ramadan falls. For instance, the sun sets earlier and rises later in the winter than in the summer.
The rules of Ramadan dictate that Muslims aren’t permitted to engage in any impure activities during the daylight hours. They go way beyond having to refrain from eating and drinking; Muslims also aren’t allowed to swear, smoke, argue, gossip, or be intimate with one another during the daylight hours of Ramadan.
Ramadan is important as it allows Muslims to strengthen their bond with Allah (SWT) by distancing them from impurity during the daylight hours. Similarly, it heightens their awareness of what people experiencing poverty go through day after day, as they find themselves feeling dehydrated and hungry throughout the day. This contributes to feelings of appreciation, as those fasting have access to nourishing meals at the end of the day, unlike those in poverty.
Muslims aren’t permitted to drink anything during the daylight hours. When the sun sets, they need to be strategic about their liquid consumption to ensure that they remain hydrated the following day.
There are around 1.8 billion Muslims globally, meaning that Ramadan is observed on a worldwide scale.
Eid-al-Fitr translates to “festival of breaking the fast” and is celebrated on the first day of the 10th month in the Islamic calendar, subject to the sighting of the moon, which signifies the end of Ramadan. Eid-al-Fitr typically lasts for two or three days, and during this time, Muslims are not allowed to fast.
To mark the start of Eid, people will dress in new clothes and enjoy a family breakfast before attending special Eid prayers. Celebrations during Eid include many special meals and feasts with family, friends, and loved ones, exchanging gifts and giving children presents.
The official start date of Eid-al-Fitr 2024 is estimated to fall on 10 April, subject to the moon sighting.
Fasting (Sawm) is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is an act of obedience and submission to Allah’s (SWT) commands through the highest degree of commitment, sincerity, and faithfulness to seek the mercy of Allah (SWT), to atone for sins, errors, and mistakes, and to avoid condemnation. Every adult Muslim of sane mind must complete the fast during Ramadan, aside from the elderly, sick, and some other exempt groups.
Fasting involves abstaining from food, drink, and sinful acts between the hours of dawn and sunset during every day of Ramadan.
The Ramadan fast and other acts of worship are not valid unless they are accompanied by the proper intention because the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Actions are but by intentions, and everyone shall have but that which he intended…”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Intention (Niyyah) is an action of the heart. It is obligatory (Wajib) for a Muslim to intend in their heart to fast on the following day. However, there is a difference of opinion on whether this should be announced.
Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal – the last meal before beginning the fast. It is a blessing, and as such, it is recommended but not essential. For fasting, any consumption of food or drink must cease before Fajr prayers. Thus, Suhoor ends at Fajr, and you cannot eat at the time of Fajr Azan (call to prayer).
Iftar is an Arabic term which means breaking the fast (immediately after sunset). It traditionally consists of a snack of dates and water, chosen because of its hydrating and nutritious qualities, although it is not obligatory to break the fast with these.
The following actions will break a day’s fast:
Having a blood test will not break your fast.
For those who cannot fast for any valid reason (such as the elderly or ill), compensation must be given by feeding a poor person for every day of fasting not observed. Young and healthy individuals who are travelling or suffering from an illness must make up for any missed fasts.
The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So, whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful.Translation of Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185
The cost of Fidya for each day of missed fasts is to feed a poor person two meals in one day, either by monetary payment or by supplying the wheat, rice, or staple crop yourself. This is 1/2 Saa in the Hanafi school of thought or 1 Saa in the Shafi and other schools. 1 Saa equals approximately 3 kilograms.
The Fidya price for an individual should be based and calculated on the price of whole wheat, rice or the local staple crop where the person resides. In the UK, the current Fidya price is £5 per person per day, although prices may change for Ramadan 2024.
If you deliberately miss a fast without a valid reason, then you must either fast for an additional 60 days or make a charitable donation to feed 60 people at the same rate required for Fidya.
Fitrana is another name for Zakat-al-Fitr, which is a compulsory Ramadan donation. Fitrana donations are taken to allow the less well-off to enjoy the Eid festivities along with the rest of the Muslim community. With that in mind, this donation should be made during Ramadan and before Eid prayers begin at the latest.
Adults should pay for themselves and for children or others in their care who are unable to pay for themselves.
Charity work during Ramadan is believed to bring multiple rewards to an individual, although it is thought that none of these will come if Zakat-al-Fitr donations are not made.
A sick or unwell individual should only fast if s/he can do so. Otherwise, s/he is excused from fasting; however, Fidya will be due for each incomplete day of fasting. Sickness does not refer to small pains or headaches – there should be a medical condition that stops the person from fasting.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempt from fasting during Ramadan. However, any missed fasts must be made up after she gives birth, feels able to fast, and becomes pure from nifaas (the blood that is discharged from a woman's womb during or after childbirth). She must either fast the same number of days that were missed or pay Fidya as charity to those in need. The amount of Fidya must be equal to the cost of her food for a day for each missed fast.
There is nothing wrong with making up missed Ramadan fasts during any other days of the year, except for the following prohibited days:
Aitekaf, or Itikaaf, is seclusion in a mosque (or home, for women) for worship during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
‘Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.’
(Al-Qadr, 97:1-3)
Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Power) was reported to occur within the last 10 days of Ramadan.
“Seek it in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, the twenty-first, or the twenty-third, or the twenty-fifth, or the twenty-seventh, or the twenty-ninth, or during the last night.”
(Ahmad)
Here are a few suggestions to help you during the Holy month of Ramadan and prepare you for Laylat-al-Qadr:
These are special Sunnah prayers completed in Ramadan, which are prayed following the Isha prayers. A minimum of eight and a maximum of 20 Rakat (units) are offered in pairs.
“Ibn ‘Abbas narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadan because Jibril would come to him every night and he would rehearse the Quran with him.”
(Bukhari)
Sadaqah is an optional, extra charity that may be given at any time of the year, in any amount or number. Although it is voluntary, Muslims are encouraged to donate Sadaqah to help those in need for social and welfare purposes throughout the year.
If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And Allah with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.
Translation of Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:271
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakat will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.”
(2:227)
Zakat is the third Pillar of Islam, translating to ‘that which purifies’. Giving Zakat is a means of purifying your wealth and soul. Its amount depends on the quantity of wealth and the type of assets you possess. Paying Zakat is obligatory for all Muslims of sound mind whose total annual wealth meets or exceeds the current Nisab value. The rate is 2.5%, which is paid based on capital assets such as cash, gold, and silver.
“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveller - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
(Al-Tawbah, 9:60)
The following conditions are required for paying Zakat:
Zakat, at the rate of 2.5%, must be paid on any assets that exceed the Nisab value. This minimum value is calculated based on the market price of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of pure silver. These assets must have been owned for a full lunar year.
Zakat is payable on the following items:
The Qur’an (9:60) outlines eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat donations. These are:
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