PUBLISHED APRIL 2020

Ramadan Guide 2021 Tower Hamlets Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)

A guidance handbook developed for teachers, carers and parents, in partnership with the London Muslim Centre and the Tower Hamlets Council of .

TOWER HAMLETS SACRE CONTENTS

1. Welcome 2. at a Glance 3. Advice for Schools, Parents & Guardians 4. Ramadan Key Facts 5. Further References

“Oh You who believe! has been Prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may be mindful of God”

[Qur’an 2:183] WELCOME

Shaykh Mohammed Mahmoud OBE Senior Imam East London

aware that it is a religious manageable under the social obligation to strictly adhere distancing measures. However, to all public health advice and children under the age of 12 will government guidance and also to not be admitted into mosques. do everything possible to ensure Please also be reminded the safety of themselves, their that our health is the key to elcome to Ramadan 2021, children and by extension school happiness, and what we consume Wthe most anticipated teachers and staff. directly affects our health. of the Islamic calender encourages to ensure for Muslims, with an abundence These measures have been that they are mindful of their for blessing and an opoprtunity put in place to prevent the health. The Prophet (s) said: for and reflection over the transmission and spread of the “Take advantage of the good . illness. It is impermissible () health before illnesses afflict With renewed ambition, we according to Islam to disregard you”. He also encouraged find our mosques slowly open such directives and measures that Muslims to try their best to take again for collective worship; seek to protect lives. Additionally, up a healthy living lifestyle that having had the previous Ramadan it is forbidden in Islam for anyone includes a balanced diet, regular coincide with the lockdown, infected with this illness to enter mental and physical exercise and we must remain vigilant and public places or go to the mosque a balance between material and use our mosque facilities with for congregational , spiritual needs. caution, ensuring we continue to including Friday and . observe all the social distancing We of course, welcome measures to help keep us safe this “If you hear that a plague suggestions and ideas to Ramadan. continually improve the has broken out in a land, information contained in this There is no doubt that schools do not go to towards it; guide, and will try our best to carry an enormous responsibility but if it breaks out in a land help our schools to remain a safe to ensure children gain the and healthy environment during necessary life skills, confidence where you are present, Ramadan. and knowledge to prepare them do not go out escaping for life in a challenging world. from it.” We hope you will find this They are also playing a vital guide useful, and together with part in the battle against the [Bukhari 5730] SACRE and other supporting coronavirus by providing a safe partners will help to ensure and supportive environment for This Ramadan, Mosques Tower Hamlets continues to work the families of key workers. have decided to open with together as one. reduced capacity, and prayers Muslim families should be will be shorter to keep things

Page 1 RAMADAN AT A GLANCE

This is a standard Ramadan Timetable for Muslims. It lists out the whole month with the times as they change coinciding with the rising and setting of the sun.

April Fajr ‘Ishā Day Ramadan May Ends Jamā‘ah Maghrib Tārāwīh

01 Tue 13 Apr 4:34 4:54 7:57 9:45 02 Wed 14 Apr 4:32 4:52 7:59 9:45 03 Thu 15 Apr 4:30 4:50 8:01 9:45 04 Fri 16 Apr 4:27 4:47 8:02 9:45 05 Sat 17 Apr 4:25 4:45 8:04 9:45 06 Sun 18 Apr 4:22 4:44 8:06 9:45 07 Mon 19 Apr 4:20 4:40 8:07 9:45 08 Tue 20 Apr 4:18 4:38 8:09 9:45

THE 10 DAYS OF MERCY 09 Wed 21 Apr 4:15 4:35 8:11 9:45 10 Thu 22 Apr 4:13 4:23 8:12 10:00

11 Fri 23 Apr 4:11 4:31 8:14 10:00 12 Sat 24 Apr 4:08 4:28 8:16 10:00 2021/1442 13 Sun 25 Apr 4:06 4:26 8:17 10:00 14 Mon 26 Apr 4:04 4:24 8:19 10:00 15 Tue 27 Apr 4:01 4:21 8:21 10:00 16 Wed 28 Apr 3:59 4:19 8:22 10:00 17 Thu 29 Apr 3:57 4:17 8:24 10:00 18 Fri 30 Apr 3:54 4:14 8:25 10:00

THE 10 DAYS OF FORGIVENESS 19 Sat 1 May 3:51 4:11 8:27 10:00 20 Sun 2 May 3:49 4:09 8:29 10:15

RAMADAN 21 Mon 3 May 3:46 4:06 8:30 10:15 22 Tue 4 May 3:45 4:05 8:32 10:15 23 Wed 5 May 3:42 4:02 8:34 10:15 24 Thu 6 May 3:40 4:00 8:35 10:15 25 Fri 7 May 3:37 3:57 8:37 10:15 26 Sat 8 May 3:36 3:56 8:38 10:15 27 Sun 9 May 3:33 3:53 8:40 10:15 28 Mon 10 May 3:31 3:51 8:42 10:15

THE 10 DAYS OF SALVATION 29 Tue 11 May 3:29 3:49 8:43 10:15 30 Wed 12 May 3:27 3:47 8:45 10:15 (01) Thu 13 May 3:25 3:45 8:46 10:15

Page 2 What does a typical day in Ramadan look like?

Pre- Meal (Suhoor) This is an essential meal for Muslims as this will replace breakfast during the month of Ramadan. This pre-dawn meal should be wholesome and filling in order to sustain energy for many hours, and needs to be eaten before sunrise.

Take the Suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it

[Bukhari & Muslim]

During the summer fasts, the days are longer, and the nights are shorter. Please advise pupils and parents to make healthy food choices and to ensure pupils are consuming more liquids than usual, avoiding caffeine and sugar drinks.

Breaking the Fast (Iftar) This meal coincides exactly with the Night Prayers () setting of the sun. As per tradition, Tarawih is a recommended voluntary act Muslims break their fast with dates of worship, which can only take place and water, followed by a cooked during the month of Ramadan. This is meal which should contain all the why it is extremely popular. Muslims necessary nutrients for a healthy can perform anything from four, eight, balanced diet. twelve or 20 units of prayer (rak’ats). Salman ibn ‘Amir reported: The During this prayer portions of the Qur’an Prophet (pbuh) said, are recited out loud with the aim to “When one of you breaks his fast, let complete the full recitation by the close him break it with dates for they are of Ramadan known as ‘khatam’. This blessed. If they are not found, let him prayer usually takes around 1.5/2 hours break it with water for it is pure.” and concludes close to midnight. [Sunan al-Tirmidhi 695]

Page 3 ADVICE FOR SCHOOLS, PARENTS & GUARDIANS

any schools stay for extra curricular clubs Lastly, teachers should use are often and activities may also want to their judgement to adjust lessons, M observe thier ‘. being mindful that in addition understandably to not or drinking there concerned about the Schools should do what they may be underlying issues, as can to facilitate Muslim pupils it is normal for pupils to have impact fasting in who want to observe their disturbed patterns during Ramadan may have on a midday prayer. Pupils should be the first week of Ramadan. student’s education and encouraged to remain focused and continue to work hard during However, if a pupil continues to attainment. Ramadan. struggle, then teachers should consult with parents raising any Teachers and all other staff Teachers may wish to adjust concerns where necessary. who will be in contact with pupils lesson plans when strenuous who are fasting need to be aware physical activity is involved to about Ramadan, and what it make allowances for pupils that entails. are fasting. It may be advisable to limit time outside in hot weather Any questions regarding the to avoid dehydration. rulings around fasting should be put forward to an Imam or SACRE. If pupils do take part, they should be reminded that they will not be It is normal to observe a able to take in any fluid (including change in behaviour and practices water) until sun-down. amongst pupils during this fasting month. You may see pupils Teachers may wish to refrain putting in extra effort in increased from discussion or comment self awareness and an extra effort about food in the presence of to secure self-improvement. Muslim pupils. However this does not nullify the fast, it is only out You may find additional of respect. requests for prayer space, as more The objective is for teachers pupils avoid eating during lunch, Teachers may wish to consume and pupils to find a balanced they often congregate in multi- food and water at their leisure understanding and a workable faith rooms where these are but be mindful of Muslim pupils outcome that ensures their faith available. who may find it difficult to is respected and their education is concentrate if food and water is not disturbed. The midday prayer is the only consumed in their presence. prayer that pupils will want to Parents should not force observe during school hours. It is advisable to postpone any their children to observe the This is because it naturally falls tests during Ramadan where this night prayer (Tarawih). Children within the lunch hour and schools is possible to reduce stress of who wish to participate in the should expect higher footfall at fasting pupils and to reduce the congregational night prayers the ablution areas and increased possibility that they may under- should observe half, or 8 units usage of the multi-faith prayer perform in these circumstances. in order that they may get a good rooms. Moreover, pupils who

Page 4 Advice for Primary Schools nights rest for the next day. Teachers should know that sleepiness, mood swings and fasting is not obligatory for headaches. Such behaviour is Parents should also ensure young children, until they reach particularly prominent in very that their children are consuming adolescence. young children, therefore it is more fluids than usual, and help recommended that schools talk make healthy food choices for The Prophet (Pbuh) said: to parents and encourage fasts both Suhoor and Iftar. at the weekends only. “The pens have been lifted Parents can consult with their Schools should not encourage local Imams and their doctors for from three: from one who children to break their fast better guidance on children who has lost his mind until he early unless it is for health take medication, or are due for comes back to his senses, and safeguarding reason. The any surgeries. overriding consideration should from one who is sleeping be that the children do not until he wakes up, and feel disadvantaged in school from a child until he activities because of their religious choices. reaches the age of adolescence.” Alternatively, if a fasting child is unwell, the school has an Narrated Abu Dawood 4399. overriding safeguarding duty to protect the child against any Pupils in early key stages often health risks. partake in fasting at leisure. It is not advised for children younger than seven to observe a whole fast, and they should be doing it under parental supervision and outside of school hours. It is essential that parents Fasting should not override the communicate to teachers any health of an individual as Islam children who are observing the prioritises health and well-being fast to safeguard them against above the rites of fasting. health risks.

Fasting only becomes obligatory for Muslims at the age of when a pupil reaches puberty. Prior to that it is common for parents and guardians to encourage half-day and weekend fasts. Teachers and staff at the school should be aware of some of the effects of summer day fasts, which include

Page 5 RAMADAN KEY FACTS

Fasting is the fourth of the five health reasons, they can feed a more significance. pillars of Islam known as Sawm. poor person or donate towards ‘The Night of Al-Qadr is better than feeding a poor person for each a thousand ’ [ 97:3]. Ramadan is the ninth lunar day missed. calender month of the year. Muslims treat Ramadan as the The amount will vary from ‘end of year’ to calculate their Ramadan begins 10 or 11 days country to country based on the obligatory charity. Over earlier each year in the Gregorian price of an average meal, but in £100m is collected in the UK calendar. Taking approximately the UK it is usually £5. during Ramadan alone. 33 to move through the seasons. The Qur’an was revealed to the So what breaks a fast? Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in ‘The month of Ramadan (is the the month of Ramadan, so it is Eating, drinking, smoking or month) in which the Qur’an has a month of spiritual, moral and Sexual intercourse. been sent down as guidance for social significance to Muslims all over the world. mankind containing clear signs Self-induced vomiting. which lead (to the straight road) The last ten nights of Ramadan A woman starting her and distinguishing (the truth from are viewed as particularly sacred menstruation while fasting. falsehood)..’ [Qur’an 2:185] and Muslims often use this time to further increase their acts of Injections that provide Fasting refers to the refraining worship and disengage from any nourishment. from the consumption of food, distractions. drink, smoking and sexual The following does not relations during daylight hours, Some Muslims choose to enter a break a fast. until sunset. time of seclusion during the last ten days of Ramadan. This act is Using an inhaler for health Muslims use this month as a called Itekaf. purposes e.g. for asthma or any marker to improve their conduct medicine prescribed by a doctor and give up any bad practices Laylaat ul Qadr (‘the night of to maintain health. power’) is the night in which the Fasting is obligatory for all men Qur’an was first revealed to the Minor bleeding from a minor and women once they reach the Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh) by accident. age of puberty. the , from Allah. Giving a small amount of blood There are exemptions made ‘Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) for testing. for the sick, the traveller, and down in the night of Al-Qadr’ menstruating woman. [Qur’an 97:1] Any missed fasts are required to be made-up at a later date. During the odd nights of the last ten nights, Muslims increase their If an individual is not able to worship further. Most Muslims complete their fast during the feel the twenty seventh night year, due to illnesses and other and the twenty ninth night are of

Page 6 FURTHER REFERENCES

Qur’an & The Prophetic Traditions ()

“The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood)..”

[Quran 2:185]

Abu-Huraira reported that the Prophet of Allah said

“Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions (during the month of ramadan), Allah is not in need of his leaving food and drink”

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.”

Other voluntary but recommended fasts include;

Twice a week, being Mondays and Thursdays. Three days in the middle of each (Islamic) month according to the – 13th, 14th and 15th. Two days, being the 9th and 10th of the first month of the (). Frequently in the month leading up to Ramadan. Six days in the month following Ramadan (i.e.. ).

Page 7 For more information about SACRE please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG T: (0)20 7364 5006 E: [email protected]