Just after sunset on the days leading up to Ramadan, eyes turn to the western horizon, hoping to glimpse the crescent moon. Its brief appearance will signal the start of the Islamic month of fasting. The next morning, Muslims will wake before dawn to pray and eat suhoor, their final meal before a long day without food or drink.

For Muslims, fasting is a compulsory act of worship, obedience, and submission.

But Ramadan isn’t just about fasting from sunrise to sunset. It’s also a time to enjoy special foods and traditions. Many look forward to feasting with friends and family in the evenings. Some families might even consume more in this month than at other times of the year.

Feasting begins with iftar, a sunset meal that includes dates, juice, soup, and various dishes and sweets. Every region has its own classic desserts, such as cheese-filled pastries like qatayef and kunafeh in the Middle East, a creamy rice pudding called phirni in South Asia, and North African makroud—a fried date and semolina pastry dipped in honey.

Sweets aside, Ramadan is a spiritually significant time of year for Muslims.

As they curb hunger and thirst, men and women seek to renew their focus on Islam and purge sinful thoughts and behaviors. Many Muslims pray more than the five required daily prayers and attempt to read the entire Quran. Some also attend special evening prayer sessions to read passages from their holy book.

The spiritual rewards for good deeds, they believe, are multiplied in Ramadan. According to the hadith, a collection of sayings recorded by Muhammad’s peers, heaven’s gates are opened while the gates of hell remain closed during this month. Many people will strive to be more kind and generous in hopes of reaping greater rewards.

One evening toward the end of the month is especially important. The Night of Power, Laylat al-Qadr, is said to be worth more than a thousand months of devotion. Muslims are encouraged to read and pray through this night in hopes that God will forgive all their sins.

Islam, however, offers no assurance of eternal forgiveness. Its 1.8 billion followers fast in hopes of finding favor with God—but eternal life is a gift of grace, given through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

During Ramadan, consider committing to one of the following activities to help you engage with God’s heart for Muslims—and pray that they, too, would discover Jesus’ perfect gift of righteousness.

• Sign up for our new prayer guide Inside Ramadan, a story that shows a side of missions rarely seen. New chapters and prayer points are sent every few days.
• Pray for God to help you meet Muslims who are hungry to hear the Gospel.
• Cook a special Ramadan dessert or a meal like this Syrian lentil soup from a Frontiers field worker. Enjoy it with others, then pray together for Muslims.
• Fast for a day—or part of the day—and pray for Muslims during your normal meal times.
• Attend an iftar meal at a local mosque or in a Muslim home or restaurant and befriend the people you meet.

Main photo by Evgeni Zotov

Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/fast-feast-ramadan