Ramadan Guide 2020 - Old Church Nursery School
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PUBLISHED APRIL 2020 Ramadan Guide 2020 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 Mosques.
CONTENTS
1. Welcome
2. Ramadan at a Glance
3. Advice for Schools, Parents & Guardians
4. Ramadan Key Facts
5. Further References
“Oh You who believe! Fasting 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 Mosque
government guidance and also to to our normal routines. Thus,
do everything possible to ensure it is unlikely that there will be
the safety of themselves, their congregational acts of worship for
children and by extension school Muslims outside of the home.
teachers and staff. We will all be seeking to adapt to
these changes while still enjoying
These measures have been the spiritual lift and community
W elcome to Ramadan 2020,
a month of abundant
blessing for us all, coinciding
put in place to prevent the
transmission and spread of the
illness. It is impermissible (haram)
spirit that Ramadan provides.
Our aim with this Ramadan
with this challenging period for according to Islam to disregard guide is to empower schools with
humanity. such directives and measures that their staff with the necessary
seek to protect lives. knowledge and skills to be able to
As Muslims across the globe improve Muslim pupils readiness
seek to adjust to life under the Additionally, it is forbidden for learning.
COVID-19 pandemic, we find in Islam for anyone infected
ourselves joining each other with this illness to enter public We of course, welcome
in collective worship whilst places or go to the mosque for suggestions and ideas to
maintaining social distancing. congregational prayers, including continually improve the
Friday and Eid prayers. information contained in this
There is no doubt that schools guide, and will try our best to
carry an enormous responsibility “If you hear that a plague help our schools to remain a safe
to ensure children gain the and healthy environment during
necessary life skills, confidence has broken out in a land, Ramadan.
and knowledge to prepare them do not go to towards it;
for life in a challenging world. At but if it breaks out in a land General advice to families
this time, they are also playing a is already being given through
vital part in the battle against the where you are present, the many outlets and channels
coronavirus by providing a safe do not go out escaping available via community reach.
and supportive environment for from it.”
the families of key workers. We hope you will find this
[Bukhari 5730] guide useful, and hope that
Muslim families should be SACRE together with our other
aware that it is a religious This Ramadan, it is unlikely that supporting partners will help to
obligation to strictly adhere social distancing measures will ensure Tower Hamlets continues
to all public health advice and be lifted, enabling us to return to work together as one.
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. Page 2
What does a typical day in Ramadan look like?
Pre-dawn 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 (Tarawih) 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 Muhammad (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
M any schools stay for extra curricular clubs Lastly, teachers should use
and activities may also want to their judgement to adjust lessons,
are often observe thier ‘Asr prayer. being mindful that in addition
understandably to not eating 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 sleep 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
pupils avoid eating during lunch,
Teachers may wish to consume The objective is for teachers
they often congregate in multi-
food and water at their leisure and pupils to find a balanced
faith rooms where these are
but be mindful of Muslim pupils understanding and a workable
available.
who may find it difficult to outcome that ensures their faith
concentrate if food and water is is respected and their education is
The midday prayer is the only
consumed in their presence. not disturbed.
prayer that pupils will want to
observe during school hours.
It is advisable to postpone any Parents should not force
This is because it naturally falls
tests during Ramadan where this their children to observe the
within the lunch hour and schools
is possible to reduce stress of night prayer (Tarawih). Children
should expect higher footfall at
fasting pupils and to reduce the who wish to participate in the
the ablution areas and increased
possibility that they may under- congregational night prayers
usage of the multi-faith prayer
perform in these circumstances. should observe half, or 8 units
rooms. Moreover, pupils who
Page 4
Advice for Primary Schools
Teachers should know that sleepiness, mood swings and
in order that they may get a fasting is not obligatory for headaches. Such behaviour is
good nights rest for the next day. young children, until they reach particularly prominent in very
adolescence. young children, therefore it is
Parents should also ensure recommended that schools talk
that their children are consuming The Prophet (Pbuh) said: to parents and encourage fasts
more fluids than usual, and help at the weekends only.
make healthy food choices for “The pens have been lifted
both Suhoor and Iftar. Schools should not encourage
from three: from one who children to break their fast
Parents can consult with their has lost his mind until he early unless it is for health
local Imams and their doctors for comes back to his senses, and safeguarding reason. The
better guidance on children who overriding consideration should
take medication, or are due for from one who is sleeping be that the children do not
any surgeries. 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
communicate to teachers any
children who are observing the
Fasting should not override the fast to safeguard them against
health of an individual as Islam health risks.
prioritises health and well-being
above the rites of fasting. 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 months’ [Quran 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 Zakat 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 years 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. Self-induced vomiting.
mankind containing clear signs
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 Angel Gabriel, 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 6FURTHER REFERENCES
Qur’an & The Prophetic Traditions (Hadith)
“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 lunar calendar – 13th, 14th and 15th.
Two days, being the 9th and 10th of the first month of the Islamic calendar (Muharram).
Frequently in the month leading up to Ramadan.
Six days in the month following Ramadan (i.e.. Shawwal).
Page 7For 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: Carolyn.Lindsay@the-partnership.org.uk
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