We introduce here Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald's presentation of Ramadan. He includes these texts every day on our Facebook page (Vincent de Paul Church) to help Christians get to know and appreciate the sense and meaning of ramadan; a month of great importance for our Muslim friends. Here, we collect his texts over 8 days. You can follow them daily on Facebook, if your prefer. He is making his teaching easier by adding a little quiz to each contribution. The question he poses one day will be answered the next.
Ramadan 9
When Muslims perform salât, their Ritual Prayer, they always face towards Mekka. The direction of prayer (qibla) is indicated in the mosque by a niche (mihrâb). Elsewhere it may be indicated by an arrow. This can be seen often in the rooms of hotels frequented by Muslims. The Imam, the leader of the prayer, also faces Mekka, so he has his back to the assembly. When people gather for prayer, whether they are few or many, whether in the mosque or elsewhere, they form lines. They are exhorted not to stay behind, leaving gaps in the lines, but to move forward and fill up any gaps.
Perhaps something similar could be done in our churches.
Daily question (9)
How many Prayers are prescribed for Muslims each day?
a) 3; b) 5; c) 7.
The answer to yesterday’s question (8)
The question was: How many women are mentioned by name in the Qur’an? a) 1; b) 3; c) 7.
The correct answer is a)
Mary/Maryam is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an. Her name occurs 34 times, far more often than in the Gospels. Other women are referred to in the Qur’an, but they remain unnamed.
Ramadan 10
Who is required to fast during Ramadan? All adult Muslims, both men and women, are required to observe the fast during Ramadan. Children are not obliged, but they may be encouraged to fast during a certain number of days in order to learn what it means. Those who are ill or elderly are not obliged to fast. This year, with the threat of COVID-19, several Muslim authorities have advised the vulnerable elderly not to fast. Those who are travelling (they would be few this year) are excused from the fast, as also are women who have just given birth or are breast-feeding. These people should, if possible, make up the fast later.
Daily question (10)
Who or what is a Mufti
a) a door-keeper b) a non-Islamic way of dressing c) a legal authority
The answer to yesterday’s question (9)
The question was: How many Prayers are prescribed for Muslims each day? a) 3; b) 5; c) 7.
The correct answer is b)
The number of obligatory prayers is not found clearly in the Qur’an. It has been established by tradition. The five times of prayer are daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening.
It may be mentioned here that Muslims from the Indian sub-continent do not use the term salât for Prayer, but namâz (a word of Persian origin).
Ramadan 11
“[Prophet], have you considered the person who denies the Judgement? It is he who pushes aside the orphan and does not urge others to feed the needy. So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer; those who are all show and forbid common kindnesses. (Qur’an , sûra 107)
This passage of the Qur’an underlines something of great importance: the Muslim should perform his or her duties for the right intention. There should be no ulterior motive. If Muslims pray in the mosque only to be seen, so that people will consider them good Muslims and will frequent their business, this is a form of hypocrisy. One’s life should be in accordance with one’s devotional practices.
Can we not say the same about the practice of Christianity?
Daily question (11):
What is meant by wudû’?
a) ablutions; b) final salutation; c) a wooden throne or support for a qur’an.
The answer to yesterday’s question (10)
The question was: Who or what is a Mufti? a) a door-keeper b) a non-Islamic way of dressing c) a legal authority
The correct answer is c)
The mufti is a legal scholar who provides an authoritative legal opinion (fatwa) in answer to a question posed by an individual or a group of people. Questions often concern the application of a law in new circumstances. For instance, the fast of Ramadan means that no substance should enter the body; is it permissible to receive injections during Ramadan?
In majority Muslim countries the government often appoints a Chief Mufti whose office it is to respond to people’s questions.
The door-keeper may hold the key (miftâh), but is not there to answer questions.
The English word ‘mufti’ has nothing to do with Islam.
Ramadan 12
Friday Prayer
For Muslims Friday is the day of congregation (jumu’a). The noon prayer on Friday is a special 
community prayer. The prayer is shorter than usual – only two units – but there is a sermon delivered by the Imam. In the Qur’an it is said:
“Believers! When the call to prayer is made on the day of congregation, hurry towards the reminder of God and leave off your trading – that is better for you, if only you knew – then when the prayer has ended, disperse in the land and seek out God’s bounty (Qur’an 62:9-10).
From this it can be deduced that Friday is not necessarily a rest day. It is recommended only to stop work in order to be present for the community prayer. Yet many majority Muslim countries have adopted Friday as the weekly rest day.
Daily question (12)
What is the minbar?
a) a special clock indicating the time of prayer; b) a pulpit; c) a place at the mosque for refreshments .
The answer to yesterday’s question (11)
The question was: What is meant by wudû’? a) ablutions; b) final salutation; c) a wooden throne or support for a Qur’an.
The correct answer is a)
Before performing the Salât (Prayer) Muslims, both men and women, are required to wash in order to be ritually pure. They are to wash their hands, their arms up to the elbows, their feet, their face and their mouth. Mosques always provide facilities for these ablutions.
wadâ’ is the final salutation; at the end of the Prayer the one praying turns to the right and to the left with a greeting of peace.
The wooden support for the Qur’an is a kursî, a throne.
Ramadan 13
Mekka (or Mecca)
Mekka is the city in Saudi Arabia where Muhammad was born. In pre-Islamic times it was an important 
trading centre, and also already a sanctuary and a place of pilgrimage for the different Arab tribes, the focus being the Ka’ba, a cubic building which served as a temple for the worship of many divinities. When Muhammad and the first Muslims took control of Mekka, they made the Ka’ba into a place of worship of Allah, the one God. When performing Salât Muslims face Mekka.
Mekka is also the goal of the hajj, the annual pilgrimage. It is for Muslims the holiest city. This year, because of COVID-19, pilgrimage to Mekka is not being allowed.
Daily question (13)
The Ka’ba is a building in the form of a cube; it is the central shrine in Mekka; what is the tawâf?
a) the name for the Black Stone contained in the Ka’ba; b) the rite of circumambulation (circling
round the Ka’ba); c) a special garment worn for the pilgrimage.
The answer to yesterday’s question (12)
The question was: What is the minbar? a) a special clock indicating the time of prayer; b) a pulpit; c) a place at the mosque for refreshments .
The correct answer is b) The minbar (pronounced “mimbar”) is used for the sermon during the Friday prayer. It is usually in the form of a movable step-ladder. The preacher sits or stands on the top step.
Ramadan 14
Madina
Madina (pronounced ‘medina’, and sometimes spelt that way) is the second holiest city in Islam. It was originally an agglomeration in an agricultural area called Yathrib, to the north of Mekka, in Saudi Arabia. At the time of Muhammad its main inhabitants were two Arab tribes which were constantly in conflict with each other. There were also three groups of Jews. Muhammad had acted as a mediator between the two conflicting Arab tribes. When he and his first disciples in Mekka were being persecuted, he decided to go to Yathrib where the first Islamic community took shape. This was in C.E. 622. Consequently, according to tradition, the agglomeration took the name of madînat al-nabî, the city of the Prophet, shortened to Madina. Muhammad lived for a further 10 years in Madina until his death in 632. It remained the political capital of the Islamic empire until 661. Pilgrims to Mekka often visit Madina as well. The two cities are known as the haramayn, the two holy places. They are “forbidden” cities, in that non-Muslims are not allowed to enter them, but they are also ‘sanctuaries” in which bloodshed is prohibited.
Daily question (14)
In 622 C.E. Muhammad and his disciples went from Mekka to Medina. This is known as the hijra. What does the word hijra mean? a) compromise; b) flight; c) migration.
The answer to yesterday’s question (13)
The question was: The Ka’ba is a building in the form of a cube; it is the central shrine in Mekka; what is the tawâf? a) the name for the Black Stone contained in the Ka’ba; b) the rite of circumambulation (circling round the Ka’ba; c) a special garment worn for the pilgrimage.
The correct answer is b)
An essential part of the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mekka, is to circle seven times round the Ka’ba. This is done twice, at the beginning of the pilgrimage rites and at the end. Men and women perform this rite together; there is no separation of the sexes.
Ramadan 15
Jerusalem is the third Holy city for Muslims. It is in fact called in Arabic al-Quds, “the Holy’. It is revered 
by Muslims for its connection with Muhammad. Sura 17 (The Night Journey) starts: “Glory to Him who made His servant [Muhammad] travel by night from the sacred place of worship to the furthest place of worship” (Q 17:1). The “sacred place of worship” is understood as being the Ka’ba in Mekka, with the furthest (al-aqsâ) in Jerusalem. From the place where Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son – a site where later was constructed the Dome of the Rock - Muhammad was taken up to heaven. This site is where the Jewish Temple had stood before it was destroyed by the Romans in C.E. 70. Today al-Aqsa mosque is situated nearby, but the whole Esplanade of the Temple is recognized by Muslims as being al-Aqsa.
Jerusalem was never important politically for Muslims, but it became a place where Muslims seeking a deeper spiritual life settled. Even today Muslims, especially from Asia, like to visit Jerusalem after have been on pilgrimage to Mekka.
Daily question (15)
The Holy One (al-Quddûs) is one of the Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God (see Qur’an 59:23).
Which of the following is also among the Ninety-Nine Names? a) Father; b) Light; c) Potter; d) Shepherd.
The answer to yesterday’s question (14)
The question was: In 622 C.E. Muhammad and his disciples went from Mekka to Medina. This is known as the hijra. What does the word hijra mean? a) compromise; b) flight; c) migration.
The correct answer is c).
The root meaning of hijra is to emigrate, to dissociate oneself, to part company. The English version of this word is Hegira, or Hejira, defined by Collins Dictionary as “the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.; the starting point of the Muslim era”.
Though the newly-born group of Muslims faced difficulties in Mecca, the migration to Madina was less a matter of fleeing from danger and more of a political move to allow the community to become established.
Ramadan 16
The Pillars of Islam (that is, of Islamic practice) have been mentioned (see the answer to question 2). What are the Pillars of Islamic belief? They are the following: God, angels, prophets, revealed books, the decree of God, Judgement on the Last Day. It is not possible to explain all these in one short paragraph, but a word can be said about the first pillar of belief: God.
Muslims believe in One God. The name of God in Arabic is Allâh. This is a contraction of al-‘ilâha which means “the divinity”. In other words there is no other divinity, no other god. Jews, Christians and Muslims agree that there is only one God. The Second Vatican Council has taught that “together with us (Christians) they (Muslims) adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day” (Lumen gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no.16). We understand this God differently; Jews and Muslims do not accept a God who is Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But this does not mean we adore a different God. There is only one God. It is interesting to note that Arabic-speaking Christians use the name Allâh for God.
Today’s question (16)
The term islam means submission to God. The Muslim is one who submits to the will of God.
What does îmân mean? a) charity; b) faith; c) leader
The answer to yesterday’s question (15)
The question was: The Holy One (al-Quddûs) is one of the Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God (see Qur’an 59:23). Which of the following is also among the Ninety-Nine Names? a) Father; b) Light; c) Potter; d) Shepherd.
The correct answer is b)
The names of God are derived from the Qur’an. a), c) and d) do not occur. They would be considered incompatible with the transcendence of God. On b) Light (al-Nûr) there is this passage in the Qur’an:
God is the light of the heavens and earth. His light is like this:
There is a niche, and in it a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, a glass like a glittering star,
fuelled from a blessed olive tree from neither east nor west,
whose oil almost gives light even when no fire touches it…
Light upon light – God guides whoever He will to His light (Qur’an 24:35).
