Ramadan and the Night of Power

Ramadan is the ninth Islamic month. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and sexual activity from dawn until sunset.

The textbook states that people who have reached puberty are expected to fast. It also mentions exemptions for pregnant women, menstruating women, travellers, and sick people. Missed fasting days should be completed later.

The Night of Power

laylatu l-qadr is described as the most important night in Ramadan. The Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet on this night. It occurs during one of the final ten nights of Ramadan.

Tradition connects it with an odd-numbered night: the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, or twenty-ninth. In Morocco, it is commonly observed on the twenty-seventh night.

During this night: men may pray at the mosque; the imam reads the Quran from sunset until dawn; special couscous meals may be prepared; food may be taken to the mosque; and families may give part of the meal to poor people.