The instructions are consume nothing all day long, from sunrise to sunset. This may sound like a doctor's order to prepare for an upcoming medical examination, but they are Quranic instructions about Ramadan and fasting.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and it is during this time that Muslims practice fasting, one of the pillars of the Islamic faith.
The entire process usually lasts about 40 days.
“A new moon begins it and a new moon ends it,” said Ruma Alam of Fontana.
“Before sunrise we can eat, then after sunset we can eat. If you're standing in the dark in the morning and you can't see yourself then it's okay to eat,” Alam said.
Alam and her family are of the Muslim religion, and the Holy Quran sets the guidelines for which they practice Ramadan.
During Ramadan each day starts and ends with prayer, and includes fasting during normal daytime hours.
She said as a way of connecting with the topic of charity, about 1,400-1,500 years ago God gave people orders to fast and feel how poor people feel.
“Let's say you have a lot of food...you are sacrificing what you need for God,” Alam said.
Jonathan Reed, professor of religion, said that fasting pertains to many religions.
“Even though most major religions have periods of fasting, Islam's period of fasting is the most strenuous and widely followed,” he said.
“What is remarkable is that an overwhelming amount of Muslims practice it,” Reed said.
“The first day is usually the easiest to do,” said Siddeeqah Shabazz, junior theater major at the University. “Especially being a student because sometimes you don't eat until dinner.”
“Days four and five are a bit harder because sometimes at that time it's harder to get up. Sometimes you want to get up and pray and go back to sleep.” Shabazz said.
If she does fall back to sleep, she misses her morning meal and doesn't eat or drink again until sundown.
She said the fasting is not unbearable though, because of the rewards that come with it.
“For me personally, I feel more connected in my religion and also more comfortable with religion, even more so during Ramadan because it's a holy month. It makes me feel safe, especially during this time with the war in Iraq,” Shabazz said.
The day following the end of Ramadan is a widely celebrated event for those who have been fasting. Eid al-fitr stands for “The festival of breaking the fast” and usually takes place in a mosque where Muslims gather for prayer followed by a feast.
“The feast after the fast really brings the community together,” Reed said.
If there is not a mosque large enough in the area, Alam says they find a place, such as a convention center, where many will gather this year to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
The day after the new moon marks the end of this year’s Ramadan, which is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Shelli DeRobertis can be reached at sderobertis@ulv.edu.