Your Pocket Ramadan Dictionary

by Ashas Bukhari

Your Pocket Ramadan Dictionary

7 Mar 2024

We have covered a lot about Ramadan, a crucial time for Muslims globally. Here you can explore the true significance of this holy month, here discover fashion campaigns tailored for Ramadan and here learn about the Ramadan calendar.

During this month, there are a plethora of terms that you will likely encounter. But don’t feel overwhelmed, we have compiled a handy list for you to familiarise yourself with and impress your friends in Dubai.

Asr is the mid-afternoon prayer.

Eid al-Fitr is the religious holiday that comes after Ramadan. It is marked with celebrations and family gatherings. The word Fitr itself is a derivative of Iftar, and Eid al-Fitr means the “festival of breaking the fast.”

Fajr is the dawn prayer, and it is when the fast begins.

Fidya serves as compensation for missed fasts.

Iftar (or Iftari) signifies the sunset meal, breaking the day's fast.

Imsak means the beginning of the daily fast. It is around ten minutes before the dawn prayer.

Isha is the nighttime prayer.

Itikaaf entails a spiritual retreat or seclusion observed by some Muslims during the final ten days of Ramadan.

Kaffara, imposed for deliberate fasting violations, typically involves fasting continuously for 60 days or providing sustenance for 60 needy individuals or equivalent charitable donations.

Lailatul Qadr, known as the Night of Power, commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Though its precise date remains unknown, it is believed to occur on one of the odd nights during the last ten days of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th).

Maghrib is the sunset prayer, and it marks the end of the day’s fast.

Mosaharaty refers to a person who roams the streets just before dawn waking Muslims up to have Suhoor. While you won’t find any in Dubai, this practice is still common in other MENA countries like Egypt.

Qada means making up for a missed obligation. This typically refers to making up for a lost fast in Ramadan.

Salah, or prayer, is another pillar of Islam.

Sawm, the Arabic term for fasting, constitutes one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Suhoor (or Sahri) denotes the pre-dawn meal consumed before commencing the fast.

Taqwa embodies piety and the attainment of God-consciousness, reflecting a state of spiritual contentment pursued by Muslims.

Tarawih refers to special congregational prayers conducted each evening throughout Ramadan.

Zakat Al Fitr (Fitrana) represents a special charity obligation to be fulfilled before the conclusion of Ramadan.

Zakat, a form of alms-giving, constitutes a fundamental tenet of Islam, mandating adult Muslims to donate 2.5 per cent of their wealth to the less fortunate.

Zuhr refers to the noon prayer.

by Ashas Bukhari