Why do Muslims fast for Ramadan? Meaning behind fasting explained and who is exempt during the holy month

In Islam, fasting is a pivotal practice for followers of the religion.

Fasting symbolises one of the five pillars that constitute the main belief and actions of a practicing Muslim.

Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community, for Muslims, as they work to feel closer to God on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Iqbal Akhtar, associate professor at Florida International University told The Conversation website: “Muslims abstain from food, water, smoking, sex and all sensory pleasures from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

“This is a divine commandment in the Koran and exemplified in the life of the Prophet Muhammad.”

He explains: “At its core, fasting is about conquering human pride to connect with God.

“Indeed, the term Islam itself means submission to God in Arabic. Muslims believe that fasting develops submission to God, empathy with the poor and repentance and gives time for spiritual introspection.”

What foods are halal?

During Ramadan, when breaking fast, Muslims will eat only foods that are permissible under Islamic law. The Arabic word for such foods, writes religion scholar Myriam Renaud, is “halal.”

Renaud explains that Islamic law draws on three religious sources to determine which foods are halal. These include “passages in the Quran, the sayings and customs of the Prophet Muhammad, which were written down by his followers and are called “Hadith” and rulings by recognised religious scholars.”

In the United States, some states such as California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and Texas restrict the use of halal label for foods that meet Islamic religious requirements. Various Muslim organisations also oversee the production and certification of halal products, she writes.

All foods are considered halal except the following (which are haram):

• Alcoholic drinks and intoxicants
• Non-Halal animal fat
• Gelatine – from non-Halal source (fish gelatine is Halal)
• L-cysteine (if from human hair)
• Lard
• Lipase (only animal lipase need be avoided)
• Non-halal animal shortening
• Pork, bacon/ham and anything from pigs
• Unspecified meat broth
• Rennet (All forms should be avoided except for plant/microbial/ synthetic – rennet obtained from halal slaughtered animal is permissible).
• Stock (a blend of mix species broth or meat stock)
• Tallow (non-Halal species)
• Carnivorous animals, animals with fangs, carrion, birds of prey and certain other animals
• Foods contaminated with any of the above products

Reference: Lucy-aplin