Of course you already know that you can’t eat in public this month (if you haven’t figured out that one yet, you’re a lost cause). But as every Muslim knows, there’s a lot more than that to understanding what goes on during the Holy Month. Whether you’re fasting or not, there’s plenty to know about making the most out of the most spiritual month in the Islamic calendar. Are you anxious about making a fasting faux pas? Wondering if you can get away with a nicotine patch? Confused about prayer times? Need to know what the best Ramadan apps are?
Or just planning on crouching down in the back seat of your car to eat lunch and unsure if that’s okay? (Sorry, it’s not). Well, we’ve got these answers for you and more, so you can relax and have a stress-free and rewarding Ramadan experience.
Know the UAE’s Ramadan laws
Whatever else you do this month, you must stick to these rules – breaking them could lead to a ticking-off, a fine of up to Dhs2,000 or even jail time if a serious offence is committed. Non-Muslims will be given a warning the first time, but charged if they commit a repeat offence. However, if Muslims are caught breaking the fast, police have announced they will not be so lenient, and will charge them immediately.
Don’t eat in public between sunrise and sunset
Obviously, fasting is the very crux of the Ramadan experience, so you mustn’t eat in public between sunrise and sunset. Formal timings of sunrise (Fajr) and sunset (Maghrib) change throughout the month, but are around 5.45am and 7pm.
Don’t drink (even water) during the day
For many, this is the hardest part of the fast to stick to – and considering that Ramadan falls in the hottest month of the year this year, putting up with the thirst is going to be particularly gruelling. Just make sure to replenish your body with as much water as possible after the sun goes down, and avoid being out in the heat for long periods of time to avoid dehydration.
Don’t chew gum
This is also strictly forbidden during the day. Yes we know, not eating and drinking for a whole day can lead to eye-wateringly bad breath, but you just have to put up with it, as chewing a stick of minty Wrigley’s is absolutely not allowed.
Don’t smoke
This applies to cigarettes, cigars and shisha. If you’re a serious tobacco addict, consider using nicotine patches to get you through the day; these are permitted during Ramadan, according to a fatwa released by the Government of Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department last year. Flavour-free nicotine gum is a grey area – speak to your doctor or Imam for guidance. But if you do go ahead and use it, do it in private in case others think you are chewing the regular sort and take offence.
Do be respectful of Ramadan and Islam
A Dubai-based expat was fined Dhs3,000 by the courts on insult charges recently, for posting a Facebook update that was disrespectful of Ramadan, and then insulting a colleague who asked her to remove it. The lesson? Be respectful.
View our comprehensive Ramadan guide here
Stick to the cultural norms
Don’t have intercourse during the day
Part of the Ramadan fast includes husbands and wives abstaining from sexual contact during the hours of daylight – one of the very sensible reasons that weddings shortly before Ramadan are not advised. And as well as steering clear of the bedroom, everyone else should try to keep even their thoughts pure and clean. Of course neither of these diktats are legally enforceable, but they are as important to Muslims as the rest of the fast.
Be extra conservative
As a rule of thumb, anything that’s considered offensive in a religious sense will be taken more seriously during Ramadan than the rest of the year. So those who might usually turn a blind eye to a skimpy dress for example, will find the same outfit unacceptable during the Holy Month. The same goes for swearing and public displays of affection between couples, while any alcohol-related offences will be treated much more severely.
Don’t play loud music
This rule often comes down to sensible judgment. Gentle music is sometimes played at Iftar and Suhoor to add to the contemplative, serene atmosphere. But loud or energetic music is a no-no at night, and absolutely forbidden during the day. Play music quietly in your car or if you must blast it, use headphones. No music will be played in bars or clubs.
Be charitable
Charity or ‘Zakat’ is one of the five pillars of Islam, and being charitable during Ramadan is one of its major tenets. There are plenty of ways you can do this. Many hotels hold one-off charity Iftars throughout the month, so consider attending those (we’ll keep you posted in Time Out as and when they’re announced). Some are even donating a percentage of every diner’s bill to charity – the generous people at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr give Dhs15 to Red Crescent or another charity of your choice for every person who attends their Iftar buffet. But you don’t have to rely on others making the arrangements for you. Choose a cause to donate to (our list of local charities is on page 31), tip well, be generous with your time and resources, and do favours for your friends, family and colleagues. It all counts.
Don’t swear
This applies to cursing, obscenities and rude gestures. You know the ones. Try to stop yourself. They’re considered extra rude in the UAE anyway, and extra, extra rude during Ramadan.
Dress appropriately
The familiar ‘is-it-appropriate?’ clothing question gets particularly contentious during Ramadan, so it’s more important than ever to wear modest clothing if you want to avoid causing offence. Leave tight-fitting outfits, low necklines, short skirts or revealing dresses in the closet this month, even if you’re heading out for the evening, as wearing them will be considered deeply disrespectful by most Muslims. You’re far more likely to be reprimanded in malls or in the office for inappropriate daywear too, so save yourself and everyone else the embarrassment and cover up.
Immerse yourself in the Ramadan lifestyle
Enjoy the nightlife
Yes, believe it or not, Ramadan is all about the nightlife – but not, of course, as you might know it the rest of the year round. Forget about bars and clubs for a start, almost all close down for the Holy Month, and if they are open (see our listings on page 58) you’ll find a quiet, subdued mood, with no loud music or dancing. Regular deals or themed nights will not be taking place and opening hours will be limited. However, almost everything else you might want for entertainment such as cinemas, shopping, sports centres and restaurants will be open late, often until the early hours of the morning. Check your local amenities for opening hours. So put that post-Iftar food rush to good use and cram in as many activities as possible during the night-time hours.
Know your prayer timings
Of course Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection all month long, and the regular five prayers a day take on extra special significance for many Muslims. Remember the extra evening Ramadan prayer, Taraweeh, at which Muslims stand to recite long portions of the Qur’an. The prayer, which can take more than an hour, is voluntary and widely practised either as a congregation in the mosque, or individually at home. Regular prayer times change throughout the month, but are easily accessible. All the local newspapers carry the daily timings, or if you’re a Smartphone user, you can download apps that remind you of the timings.
Send a Ramadan Kareem Card
It’s a thoughtful gesture to send one to Muslim friends, to keep their spirits up during what can be a testing month. The traditional sort are available in card shops and supermarkets (try Gulf Greetings in Abu Dhabi Mall, 02 645 4840, for some good ones) or you can send a Ramadan e-card through www.123greetings.com.
Drive safely
Tempers are lost easily, concentration slips and accident rates are high on the roads during Ramadan, so it’s vital you keep your wits about you when you’re driving. If you’re fasting and start to feel weak or dizzy, pull over straight away. You can always get a taxi home and come back for your car later on. Those of you who aren’t fasting should just be extra cautious.
Know the lingo
You can say ‘Ramadan Kareem’ all throughout the Ramadan period. It translates as ‘Ramadan is generous’, and means that you wish the month to be full of blessings and spiritual rewards.
Know your fasting exceptions
Certain circumstances make you exempt from fasting, but in most cases fasters have to make up the days missed throughout the year before the next Ramadan.
• Those with serious illness can continue taking medicine and eating regular meals, but the fasting days missed need to be made up after recovery.
• Women can break the fast during their menstrual period, up to 40 days after giving birth to a child or miscarriage (and make up the fasting days before next year’s Ramadan). Pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding can also choose to stop fasting if they feel that the health of their child is at risk.
• The elderly are exempt, but are expected to donate a meal or the cash equivalent to the needy for each fasting day missed.
• In some instances, travellers are allowed to stop fasting for the day they are on the road as long as they make it up later.
• Those suffering from mental illness are not expected to fast.
Make sure you are really in private if you aren’t fasting
Places you might not consider to be public are still off-limits if others can see you. Every year there are reports of people getting into trouble after being caught snacking or smoking in their cars. As for your office, it’s up to you to be discreet and courteous to your Muslim co-workers. Food with a strong smell might disturb neighbouring rooms even if you are hidden from view. Some places will allow non-Muslims in a shared office to keep a bottle of water on their desk, but it’s polite to ask permission of those around you before you do so. Be considerate and remember that what might be a casual action to you, such as drinking a quick cup of coffee, might be making the fast of your colleague far tougher to stick to.
Have good intentions
One of the less tangible aspects of fasting is easy to overlook, and that’s keeping your mind clear of negativity. Muslims make an extra effort to behave well and keep their minds free of impure thoughts and gossip. As Ramadan is supposed to be a time of spiritual cleansing, many consider the physical fast to be pointless unless you also behave with the best of intentions. By the same token, if you mean well and accidentally eat something, it doesn’t break the fast as long as it was a sincere mistake. Of course the well-behaved element of the Holy Month isn’t exclusively for Muslims, it’s a good time for everyone to get on board with the positive message – being patient, kind, well-meaning and charitable. Why not?
