Ramadan, and Respectfulness

By Malak Fahmy

Ramadan is a month awaited by hundreds, loved by thousands, and practiced by millions. A month of serenity and worship can slowly become frustrating when you receive ten to twenty ignorant comments a day. While the person asking may not be trying to bring harm, it is still frustrating to Muslims. We love getting asked questions that are meaningful and kind, but certain questions and statements bring more harm than good.

Expressing apologies for those fasting. Fasting is a crucial part of our religion, and I guarantee you none of us are sorry for our beliefs. While the comment is not inherently rude, it is frustrating for us to have to explain why we don't need pity for our practices.

Giving medical advice. Even if you have good intentions, if you do not have a medical degree, refrain from telling us the medical effects of fasting. This includes telling Muslims fasting is unhealthy when that has been proven to be false. Fasting is more than healthy and has many health benefits.

Implying that fasting is unnecessary. Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, to be Muslim you must fast. We fast for many reasons, but mainly to strengthen our faith, and nothing about that is unnecessary.

Asking a Muslim why they aren’t fasting. This goes for Muslims and non-Muslims, just because you are curious does not mean you are owed an answer. Some women do not fast because they are menstruating, some do not fast because of health reasons, and others do not fast because they have to take medicine every day; either way, it is none of your business.

Assuming we cannot put in the same effort as others during this month.

Turning fasting into a diet. While fasting has been proven to have many health benefits including weight loss, Muslims do not fast to lose weight and minimizing the practice to just that is harmful. Do not mention weight loss and gain to any Muslims. Ramadan is a month of discipline, not a body journey.

Dramatizing the practice. Just because your friend is fasting does not mean you can not eat or drink. Some Muslims do have other boundaries when it comes to what they are comfortable hearing or seeing, so in that case I would recommend asking, but there is no apparent reason why you shouldn’t be able to eat or drink in front of one.

Telling us that fasting is dumb. Our practices are not dumb, and if they have no impact on you, there is no need to give your opinion.