The sacred month of Ramadan is here and Muslims across the globe will mark it with four weeks of fasting. Ramadan is always in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar but as the calendar is lunar its dates change every year. Ramadan 2019 is from May 5 to June 4 and will be observed by Muslims around the world.
Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset throughout Ramadan, the end of which is marked by the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
Eid al-Fitr is the festival held at the end of Ramadan.
Members of the Islamic faith believe Ramadan is the month that God revealed the first verses of the Koran.
There are many ways Muslims wish each other a happy Ramadan at this special time, but there’s some debate over which is the best greeting to use.
Is Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem the correct greeting?
Ramadan Mubarak is the most common greeting used by Muslims, and translates to “have a blessed Ramadan”.
Ramadan Kareem is another phrase often used, however there is some debate as to whether it is appropriate.
Some say that the phrase, which means “may Ramadan be generous to you”, goes against the teachings of Islam because Ramadan itself cannot be generous.
As Saudi Arabian scholar Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen explained, “it should be said ‘Ramadan Mubarak’, or whatever is similar to it, because it is not Ramadan itself that gives so that it can be kareem (generous), in fact it is Allah who placed the grace in it, and made it a special month, and a time to perform one of the pillars of Islam”.
Others argue that Kareem is acceptable because the wording reflects the blessings that God gives to his followers during the month.
Jordan’s Iftaa’ Department, which is responsible for religious decrees, last year ruled: “Describing Ramadan to be honourable does not, in fact, attribute the quality to the month.
“Rather, the word comes from the fact that God gives his worshippers blessings during the month.
“It’s thus acceptable to call the thing by the name of its reason or cause. The ruling could be seen as an example of synecdoche, in which a part of something is taken to stand for its whole, or vice versa.
For those who would rather avoid the debate, Happy Ramadan is a perfectly acceptable alternative.
Ramadan 2019 wishes, greetings and poems
There are lots of other wishes and greetings you can say to people observing Ramadan, these are just a few:
• Ramadan Mubarak Kareem quotes include:
• May this Ramadan be as bright as ever.
• Wishing you all the blessings of the holy month.
• As you fast and offer prayers to Allah, may you find your peace and happiness.
• Have a peaceful and happy Ramadan.