Let’s know Ramadan
This is the third and final set of pages of Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald's presentation of Ramadan. He has published 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. He has been making his teaching easier by adding a little quiz to each contribution. The question he poses one day will be answered the next.
Ramadan Day 17
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 of 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 (17)
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 (16)
The question was: Today is VE Day. It is also the Feast of the Martyrs of Algeria. These martyrs were Beatified on 8 December 2019. In this group of 19 religious how many women are there?
a) none; b) 3; c) 6.
The correct answer is c)
Here is the complete list of the Blessed Martyrs with the dates of their deaths.
Henri (Marist Brother) and Paul-Hélène (Little Sister of the Assumption) 8 May 1994
Esther and Caridad, Augustinian Missionary Sisters, 23 October 1994
Jean, Alain, Charles and Christian, Missionaries of Africa, 27 December 1994
Angèle-Marie et Bibiane, Our Lady of the Apostles, 3 September 1995
Odette, Little Sister of the Sacred Heart, 10 November 1995
Christian, Luc, Christophe, Michel, Bruno, Célestin et Paul, Trappists, 21 May 1996
Pierre, Dominican, 1 August 1996
Ramadan Day 18
Sunni and Shi’a
Muslims have the same basic beliefs and practices, and yet they are divided. The main division is between Sunni and Shi’a. How did this division come about? When Muhammad died in 632 C.E. one group of Muslims held that he had left no provision for the future. Some leading Muslims got together and chose one of the first converts to Islam, Abu Bakr, as the Caliph (the successor) to govern the community. Another group asserted that Muhammad had appointed his nearest male relative, ‘his cousin and son-in-law ‘Ali, to be his successor. There developed a party (shi’a) supporting ‘Ali in opposition to the ruling Caliph. So on the one hand there were those Muslims who supported the idea of a Caliph as a political-military ruler of the Islamic community, and on the other hand those who insisted that the authority over the community is mainly spiritual; the community is led by an Imam (‘leader’) who must be a descendant of Muhammad. Today about 90% of Muslims world-wide are Sunnis, the Shi’a, of whom there are different groups, constituting roughly 10%.
Daily question (18) the majority of Muslims are Sunnis. What does the word Sunni mean? a) people from the Orient; b) people of a Pleasant Disposition; c) people of Tradition.
The answer to yesterday’s question (17)
The question was: The term islâm 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 correct answer is b)
Our word “Amen” comes from the same root as îmân.
Charity is ihsân, or doing that which is good.
The leader (for example at Prayer) is called an Imâm (see the answer to question 4).
Ramadan Day 19
As in Judaism, the Law is very important in Islam. Correct practice (orthopraxis) is often given more importance than correct belief (orthodoxy). Yet right from the beginning there have been Muslims who have wanted to go beyond the outward observance of the law, through practicing asceticism, in striving to perform all acts with a pure intention, stressing meditation over action, rating spiritual development higher than strict observance of the law. This Islamic mysticism is known as Sufism, and the people who follow this way are known as Sufis.
The Sufi may be an individual, but more often belongs to a confraternity or an order known as a tarîqa (‘way’). There are many different Sufi orders, each with its own practices, especially prayer rituals added to the ordinary ritual prayers. The members do not live together, but they assemble, usually once a week, to pray, often chanting and rhythmical movements accompanied by drums. These Sufi orders have contributed much to the expansion of Islam.
Daily question (19)
Mystics in Islam are called Sufis. What is the meaning of the word sûf ?
a) a row formed when performing salat (ritual prayer) b) soup for simple meals; c) wool.
The answer to yesterday’s question (18)
The question was: the majority of Muslims are Sunnis. What does the word Sunni mean?
a) people from the Orient; b) people of a Pleasant Disposition; c) people of Tradition.
The correct answer is c)
Tradition (with a capital T) is in Arabic sunna. This is what is customary, usually based on what Muhammad said or did recounted in a ‘tradition’ (hadîth). The Sunna stands alongside the Qur’an as a source of Islamic law.
Ramadan Day 20
The Fâtiha
On a Muslim tombstone is often written: “For the deceased who lies here please recite a Fâtiha.”
Al-Fâtiha, which means “the opening”, is the name given to the first sûra (chapter) of the Qur’an.
This chapter is recited during every unit of the Salât (ritual prayer), so that a Muslim who performs the five daily prayers will recite it 17 times during the day. In some ways it is the Islamic equivalent of the Our Father. Here is the text:
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy!
Praise belongs to God, Lord of the Worlds,
the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy,
Master of the Day of Judgement.
It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help.
Guide us in the straight path:
The path of those You have blessed, those who incur no anger and who have not gone
astray.
Daily question: Al-fâtiha is the name given to the first sûra (chapter) of the Qur’an
How many sûras chapters) are there in the Qur’an? a) 24; b) 74; c) 114.
The answer to yesterday’s question (19)
The question was: Mystics in Islam are called Sufis. What is the meaning of the word sûf ?
a) a row formed when performing salât (ritual prayer) b) soup for simple meals; c) wool.
The correct answer is c)
Wool in Arabic is sûf. The first mystics, or ascetics, in Islam adopted wearing a rough woolen garment, and so became known as Sufis.
When Muslims perform the Prayer together they stand in a line (saff; plural sufûf).
Ramadan Day 21
The last days of Ramadan
The last ten days of Ramadan are special. Within them falls the Night of Destiny (laylat al-qadr). This special night is mentioned in the Qur’an; in fact a sura is dedicated to it:
We sent it down on the Night of Glory.
What will explain to you what that Night of Glory is?
The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months;
On that night the angels and the Spirit descend again and again with their Lord’s permission
on every task.
Peace it is until the rising of the dawn. (Q 97).
The translation used here gives Glory. Others suggest Power or Honour. The “it” in the first line refers to Revelation, in other words for Muslim the Qur’an which is held to have been communicated to Muhammad by the Spirit (usually understood as referring to the Angel Gabriel).
It is therefore a night of special blessing. It is usually identified with the 27th day of Ramadan, but this identification is not certain, so pious Muslims give special attention to 23rd and 25th Ramadan.
Yusuf Ali, in his translation of the Qur’an, says that it is best to take this in a mystic sense. “It transcends Time: for it is God’s Power dispelling the Darkness of Ignorance, by his Revelation, in every kind of affair.”
Daily question: Angels have many different functions. Which one of the following is NOT their role?
a) To celebrate the praises of God; b) to fight on behalf of true believers; c) to give names to God’s creatures.
The answer to yesterday’s question (20)
The question was: Al-fatiha is the name given to the first sura (chapter) of the Qur’an.
How many suras chapters) are there in the Qur’an? a) 24; b) 74; c) 114.
The correct answer is c)
From sûra 2 onwards the sûras arranged more or less according to decreasing length. Sûra 2 al-baqara, The Cow has 282 verses, whereas sûra 114 al-nâs People has 6.
Ramadan Day 22
The last days of Ramadan (continued)
Last year Fr Terry and I attended an iftâr (meal for the breaking of the fast) at the Abdul Quilliam Mosque at Brougham Terrace on the West Derby Road. This claims to be the first mosque in England. Unfortunately this year, because of the restrictions, it is not possible for the mosque to offer similar iftârs. We sympathise with them, and with all the Muslims who, like us, cannot gather in places of worship. We were made very welcome last year. Among the literature that we were given was a Ramadan Guide. One of the articles in this publication was on “Ramadan: The Days of Mercy”. It starts of by saying: “The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has made it easier for us to gain the full blessings of Ramadan by dividing the month into three parts of ten days each, with each part having its own special significance.
The first 10 days: Days of Mercy;
The second 10 days: Days of Forgiveness;
The last 10 days: Salvation from the Hellfire
This last division of the month is a reminder that Muslims believe in the reward of Paradise and the punishment of Hell. The following prayer is given”
O Allah! I ask you for paradise and whatever words and actions may take me near to it. I seek your protection from the fire and whatever words or actions that may take me near it. I beseech You to make Your decisions for me good.
Daily question: Ritual Prayer in Islam is called salat. Additional prayer is often referred to as du’â. What is the original meaning of the word du’â ?
a)To call; b) to make double; c) to give something that is due.
The answer to yesterday’s question (21)
The question was: Angels have many different roles. Which one of the following is NOT their role?
a) To celebrate the praises of God; b) to fight on behalf of true believers; c) to give names to God’s creatures.
The correct answer is c).
God asked the angels to tell him the names of things, and they replied that they did not have this knowledge. God taught Adam to name all creatures (see Qur’an 2:30-33).
Ramadan Day 23
Fatima and Mary
For Catholics Fatima always evokes the apparitions of Our Lady that took place at Fatima in Portugal. The locality took its name from an Arabic princess, a Muslim who became a Christian.
The original Fatima was the daughter of Muhammad by his first wife, Khadija. Fatima was given in marriage to Muhammad’s cousin, ‘Ali, and bore him two sons, Hasan and Husayn. She is thus revered by the Shi’a who call her the “Mother of the Imams.” She is a woman of sorrows, of many tears, because her husband “Ali was not recognized as the rightful successor of Muhammad and was later assassinated, as also on account of the martyrdom of her son Husayn. A tradition (hadith) is attributed to Muhammad according to which he said: “Fatima is foremost among the ladies of Paradise.” In the Shi’a tradition she is counted among the 14 Holy Ones, the only woman to be included. Yet she is not mentioned in the Qur’an, unlike Mary whose mother said of her:
I name her Mary and I commend her and her offspring to Your protection from the rejected Satan (Q 2:36).
So Mary and Jesus were untouched by Satan and were sinless. To Mary the angels said:
Mary, God has chosen you and made you pure. He has truly chosen you above all women.
(Q 2:42)
Daily question: Fatima is considered to be the “mother of the Imams”. How many Imams have there been?
a) 7; b) 12; c) 49.
The answer to yesterday’s question (22)
The question was: Ritual Prayer in Islam is called salât. Additional prayer is often referred to as du’â. What is the original meaning of the word du’â ?
a) To call; b) to make double; c) to give something that is due.
The correct answer is a).
Salat is a prayer of praise, but this is supplemented, especially as part of the sermon during the Friday Prayer, by supplication, calling on God for particular needs.
From the same root comes the word da’wa (or da’wah) which means “invitation”, and is used for the invitation to embrace Islam.
Ramadan Day 24
Jesus and Mary as a Sign for all people
The name of Mary is frequently mentioned in the Qur’an. This is because Jesus, recognized by the Qur-an as a prophet, is often referred to as “the son of Mary”. This way of presenting Jesus is for Christians both negative and positive. It is negative in that it does not declare Jesus to be the Son of God. On the other hand it is positive in the sense that it accepts the virgin birth of Jesus: Jesus is the “son of Mary”; he has no earthly father. The following is a text from the Qur’an:
Remember the one who guarded her chastity. We breathed into her from Our Spirit and made her and her son a sign for all people (Q 21:91).
All commentators agree in identifying “the one who guarded her chastity” as Mary, the Virgin Mary. She and her son, Jesus, are naturally bound together. They constitute a single sign. But we may ask: a sign of what? In the Gospel Jesus is essentially a sign of salvation. On seeing the baby Jesus, Simeon declares: “My eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see” (Luke 2:30-31). The centre of the Qur’anic message is that there is One God, Creator and Judge, who will judge the whole of mankind at the end of time. At the end of time God will assemble the whole of humanity before Him. Many contemporaries of Muhammad did not accept this teaching, so the Qur’an argues that just as God, who created the world simply by his word, has no difficulty in bringing about the virginal birth of Jesus, so He who brought about this miraculous birth will also be able to bring about the new birth of mankind at the general resurrection. So the emphasis is on God’s power rather than on His saving love. Christians and Muslims are close in their beliefs, but there remain essential differences.
Today’s question: Which of the following New Testament figures is NOT mentioned by name in the Qur’an ?
a) Jesus, b) John the Baptist c) Joseph, son of Jacob, husband of Mary d) Zechariah
The answer to yesterday’s question (23)
The question was: Fatima is considered to be the “mother of the Imams”. How many Imams of the Shi’a have there been? a) 7; b) 12; c) 49.
The correct answer is any one of them, depending on which group of Shi’a one is referring to.
- The majority of the Shi’a would say 12. They recognize 12 Imams (and so are called Ithna’ashari Shi’a, or “Twelvers”. The twelfth Imam has been in occultation, a Hidden Imam, since 941 C.E. It is believed that he is always alive, though hidden, and that he will return at the end of time as al-Mahdi, the Guided One.
- There was however a dispute after the death of the Sixth Imam. He had designated his eldest son, Ismai’il, to succeed him, but he changed the designation to another son, Musa. When Isma’il died, His followers, called Ismai’ilis, declared that he was the last Imam, and that there was no further Imam present in the world. These are known as “Seveners”.
- Other Isma’ilis recognized Muhammad, the son of Isma’il, as the Imam and have continued recognizing Imams until today. They follow Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as their Living Imam. The present Aga Khan is thus the 49th Imam since the death of Muhammad.
Ramadan Day 25
Prophets
One of the pillars of faith for Muslims is belief in prophets, chosen by God to give a message t mankind. Different prophets are mentioned many times in the Qur’an, for example:
Say (Muhammad), “We (Muslims) believe in God and in what has been sent down to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes. We believe in what has been given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We do not make a distinction between any of them (Q 3:84).
There are three non-Biblical Arab prophets mentioned: Hud, Salih and Shu’ayb
From the qur’anic passage quoted above, it can be noticed that Jesus is recognized as a prophet. Though this verse says that no distinction is made between any of the prophets, in fact a distinction is made between
- a simple prophet (nabî) who is given revelation in the form of general moral teaching;
- a messenger (rasûl) who is sent to convey also a law.
Muhammad is recognized by Muslims as both prophet, indeed the Prophet (al-nabî) and messenger, the Messenger of God (rasûl Allâh), and indeed as the final prophet and messenger.
Muhammad is not the father of any one of you men; he is God’s Messenger and the seal of the prophets (Q 33:40).
Daily question: Which of the following figures of the Old Testament is NOT mentioned in the Qur’an?
a) Jacob; b) Jeremiah; c) Job; d) Jonas.
The answer to yesterday’s question (24)
The question was: Which of the following New Testament figures is NOT mentioned by name in the Qur’an ?
a) Jesus, b) John the Baptist c) Joseph, son of Jacob, husband of Mary d) Zechariah
The correct answer is c)
Joseph is not named in the Qur’an, probably to emphasize the virginity of Mary. There is a veiled reference to him as the guardian of Mary in the verse:
You were not present among them when they cast lots to see which of them should take charge of Mary (Q 2:44).
This is in accordance with the Christian tradition, found in the apocryphal Book of James, that widowers were invited to cast lots with their rods for Mary, and that as a result Joseph was indicated as the one to take charge of her.
Jesus is mentioned many times in the Qur-an.
The story of Zachariah and the birth of John (Yahya – who is not called “the Baptist”) is found in sûra 19 of the Qur’an (Q 19:1-13).
Ramadan Day 26
The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God
The month of Ramadan is a time not only for fasting but also for prayer. Devout Muslims will make a special effort to read the Qur’an during this month. Another way of praying is to reflect on the Names of God. A Muslim has written: “The more one reflects on the Divine names, the more one is elevated in the realm of spirituality. A reflecting human being becomes a mirror for the Divine names. The human being that becomes such a mirror becomes a perfect human being.” According to tradition there are ninety-nine Names of God. Their recitation is encouraged in the following hadith (saying of Muhammad):
To God belong the 99 Names, that is one hundred minus one, for He, the Unique, loves to be designated by these Names, enumerated one by one; the one who knows the 99 Names will enter Paradise.
100 minus 1: there is one Name missing, the Supreme Name, or the Hidden Name of God. This is a reminder that the Names given to God in human language and never fully convey the mystery of God.
Daily question: The Call to Prayer contains the phrase Allahu akbar and at the beginning of Salât (Ritual Prayer) this phrase is proclaimed by the imam and repeated by the assembly. What does Allâhu akbar mean?
a) God is All-Aware; b) God is All-Powerful; c) God is Greater.
The answer to yesterday’s question (25)
The question was: Which of the following figures of the Old Testament is NOT mentioned in the Qur’an?
a) Jacob; b) Jeremiah; c) Job; d) Jonah.
The correct answer is b).
None of the Major Prophets of the Bible, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, or of the Minor Prophets, including Amos and Hosea, figure in the Qur’an, with the exception of Jonah.
Jacob (Ya’qûb), particularly in the sûra yûsuf (Q 12) which tells the story of Joseph.
The example of Job (Ayyûb) who cried out to God in his suffering is related in Q 21:83-84.
The story of Jonah (Yûnus) is told in Q 37:149-148.
Ramadan Day 27 
Revealed Books
According to tradition on the Night of Destiny (laylat al-qadr), 27 Ramadan, the whole Qur’an was sent down to Muhammad, subsequently to be given piecemeal as needed. But the Qur’an is not the only Scripture to have been given, as the Qur’an itself enjoins:
You who believe, believe in God and His Messenger and in the Scripture He sent down to His Messenger, as well as what He sent down before. Anyone who does not believe in God, His angels, His Scriptures, His messengers and the Last Day has gone far, far astray (Q 4:136).
God’s Messenger refers to Muhammad, and so “the Scripture He sent down to His Messenger” refers to the Qur’an. But what has been sent down before? The Qur’an mentions the Torah (tawrât) given to Moses, the Psalms (zabûr) given to David, and the Gospel (injîl) given to Jesus.
It is worth noting that just as the Qur’an is the message given to Muhammad to preach, so the Gospel is the message preached by Jesus, of which only fragments remain. The four Gospels which speak about Jesus are not the Gospel mentioned by the Qur’an and so are not considered to be part of the revealed Book.
It is important to note another passage of the Qur’an:
We sent to you [Muhammad] the Scripture with the truth, confirming the Scriptures that came before it, and with final authority over them: so judge between them according to what God has sent down (Q 4:48).
The conception is that God’s revelation came in successive editions, the Qur’an being the final edition. Usually when buying a book one chooses the latest edition. This may explain why many Muslims are not interested in reading the Bible.
Today’s question: Muslims often refer to al-Qur’ân al-Karîm. What does “Karim” mean? a) glorious; b) holy; c) nourishing.
The answer to yesterday’s question (26)
The question was: The Call to Prayer contains the phrase Allâhu akbar and at the beginning of Salât (Ritual Prayer) this phrase is proclaimed by the imam and repeated by the assembly. What does Allâhu akbar mean?
a) God is All-Aware; b) God is All-Powerful; c) God is Greater.
The correct answer is c)
a) Al-Khabîr – All-Aware; b) Al-Qâdir – All-Powerful
Allâhu akbar, God is greater, expressing the sublimity of God, is unfortunately used as a slogan in political rallies and even in violent demonstrations.
The Grand Imam of al-Azhar and Pope Francis protested against this in their joint statement on Human Fraternity:
We call upon all concerned to stop using religions to incite hatred, violence, extremism and blind fanaticism, and to refrain from using the name of God to justify acts of murder, exile, terrorism and oppression… God, the Almighty, has no need to be defended by anyone and does not want His name to be used to terrorize people.
Ramadan Day 28
Almsgiving
The third pillar of Islam is Almsgiving (Zakât). This is in fact a tax to be paid to the community by all believers who have financial means. It is not a tithe, a payment of 10%, but rather giving 2.5% of one’s net revenue after all expenses have been paid. This can be accompanied by free-will offerings (sadaqât) which are encouraged. There is also a zakât al-fitr, the almsgiving at the end of Ramadan, a special donation (which can be in kind) for the poor. (Last year the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque indicated 5 pounds sterling per person as the amount to be given).
So Zakat can be seen as an expression of solidarity with the faith community. One can think of the pillars of Islam in this way:
- Shahada, profession of faith: entry into the Umma, the community of Muslims
- Salat, Ritual Prayer: communion with God and with fellow Muslims
- Zakat, Almsgiving: solidarity with the community.
- Sawm, Fasting during Ramadan: the experience of belonging to a distinct community
(People around are not observing Ramadan)
- Hajj, Pilgrimage to Mecca: the experience of belonging to an international community.
Is there anything for Christians to learn from this?
Daily question: Zakat is the name for Almsgiving. What is the root meaning of zakat?
a) Intelligent; b) pleasurable; c) pure.
The answer to yesterday’s question (27)
The question was: Muslims often refer to al-Qur’ân al-Karîm. What does “Karim” mean?
a) glorious; b) holy; c) nourishing.
The correct answer is a)
The Arabic word karîm has in fact multiple meanings: noble, eminent, generous, kind, precious.
As a Name for God it is understood as meaning Generous. Applied to the Qur’an it is usually translated as Glorious.
The Arabic for holy is qadîs. Al-Quddûs, the All-Holy is another of the Names of God. Arabic-speaking Christians call the Holy Bible al-kitâb al-muqaddas.
Ramadan Day 29
Greetings to Muslims from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
Ever since the rise of Islam in the 7th Century Christians and Muslims have been living side by side, particularly in the Middle East. Yet the Second Vatican Council, which took place over 50 years ago, was the first Council of the Church to deal specifically with Islam. It stated:
But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place among whom are the Muslims: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.
(Lumen Gentium 16)
Nostra Aetate, the Council’s Declaration on the Relations of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, promulgated in 1965, has a a special paragraph on Islam. This begins:
The Church has also a high regard for Muslims.
It ends with an exhortation:
Over the centuries many quarrels and dissension have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, soial justice, and moral values (NA 3).
Even before the official approval of this document, Pope Saint Paul VI set up a special office in the Vatican for relations with people of other religions. A member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa was appointed immediately to promote relations with Muslims. In 1967 for the first time he sent greetings to Muslims for the end of the month of Ramadan. This started a tradition which continues until today. This year’s message starts off in the following way:
The month of Ramadan is so central in your religion and therefore dear to you at personal, familial and social levels. lt is a time for spiritual healing and growth, of sharing with the poor, of strengthening bonds with relatives and friends.
For us, your Christian friends, it is a propitious time to further strengthen our relationships with you, by greeting you, meeting you on this occasion and, where possible, by sharing in an iftar with you. Ramadan and 'Jd al-Fitr thus are special occasions to foster fraternity between Christians and Muslims. It is in this spirit that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue offers its prayerful best wishes and hearty congratulations to you all.
This message had been prepared before COVID-19 struck. It has not been possible to meet with Muslims, but the sentiments expressed here are still valid.
Today’s question: Which is the country that has the largest population of Muslims ?
a) Egypt; b) India; c) Indonesia; d) Nigeria; e) Pakistan; f) Saudi Arabia
Ramadan Day 30
‘Id al-Fitr
Today I am recording this message rather than just putting a text on Facebook. This gives me the opportunity to express to our Muslim brothers and sisters, on behalf of all of us at St Vincent’s, priests and people, our very best wishes as they celebrate ‘Id al-Fitr, the feast (‘îd) of the Breaking of the Fast at the end of the month of Ramadan. I would like to tell our Muslim friends that we at St Vincent’s parish have been accompanying them all through the month of Ramadan.
We know that on the morning of the feast there is a special Prayer when all Muslims are invited to gather together. Last year, at the Abdul Quilliam Mosque, three services were scheduled for the celebration of the ‘Id Prayer, at 7.30, 8.30 and 9.30 in the morning. This will not be possible this year, because of the restrictions imposed on account of the coronavirus pandemic. We sympathise with you. But we know, like you, that God is near, Allâhu qarîb, Distancing is not part of God’s sunna, His normal way of relating to us. Allâhu ma’a al-sâbirîn, “God is with the steadfast” (Q 2:153), and you have surely been steadfast as you have observed Ramadan in the difficult conditions of this year. May God pour out on you an abundance of blessings. We say to you: ‘Îd mabrûk, al-salâmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmat Allâh wa-barakâtu-hu, A Blessed Feast, Peace be with you and the Mercy of God and His Blessings.
‘Id al-Fitr, the feast (‘îd) of the Breaking of the Fast, begins when the moon is sighted on the evening of the first day of the month of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan. It is also known as the Lesser Feast (al-‘îd al-saghîr) compared to the ‘Id al-Adha, the feast of the Sacrifice, or the Greater Feast (al-‘îd al-kabîr).
On this day children usually receive gifts and sweets.
Daily question: As this is the last day of Ramadan there is no question.
The answer to yesterday’s question (28)
The question was: Which is the country in the world that has the largest population of Muslims?
a) Egypt; b) India; c) Indonesia; d) Nigeria; e) Pakistan; f) Saudi Arabia
The correct answer is c)
The following figures, taken from Wikipedia, are a rough guide.
total population (in millions) Muslims (in millions)
Indonesia: 240 227
Egypt 95 86 (largest number in the Arab world)
India 1,210 170 (a small minority !)
Nigeria 195 90 (largest number in Africa)
Pakistan 207 200 (second in the world)
Saudi Arabia 27 27 (Christian foreign workers 1.5)
Many thanks to Fran Williams who has seen that these posts have appeared regularly throughout the month of Ramadan and has found illustrations for them on Facebook.
