Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Kareem: Meaning behind Ramadan 2021 greetings explained

© Provided by The i This year’s holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday 12 April (Photo: AFP/Getty)

This year’s Ramadan is almost upon us, with Muslims around the world preparing for the month-long fast.

For the second year in succession, the observance will be a very different affair to usual due to the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, some traditions will endure, such as the customary “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem” greetings – even if these might be delivered on Zoom or FaceTime once more.

What do ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ and ‘Ramadan Kareem’ mean?

The more common of the greetings during the holy month is “Ramadan Mubarak”, which translates from the Arabic word meaning “blessed” – the phrase therefore means “Blessed Ramadan”, often used in the same way as wishing somebody a “Happy Ramadan”.

“Ramadan Kareem” is less commonly used, but translates as “Generous Ramadan” – while the phrase can be used as a greeting in a similar way to “Ramadan Mubarak”, it can also describe Ramadan in another context.

There is some debate around whether using “Ramadan Kareem” is appropriate, given that the expectation of generosity can be considered against the principles of fasting and prayer central to observing the holy month.

However, others argue that the greeting can appropriately refer to the generosity of acts towards others. Khaled Boudemagh, described by Gulf News as a Dubai-based language expert, said: “Ramadan is a month of generosity, therefore wish Kareem.”

Both “Mubarak” and “Kareem” are also given names in Arabic, which carry the same meanings as bestowed in the Ramadan greetings.

© Provided by The i Ramadan is being observed under the Covid-19 pandemic for a second year (Photo: Getty) What is Ramadan?

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam – the fundamental rules all Muslims follow – along with the Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity) and the Hajj pilgrimage.

It is when Muslims are required to spend 30 days observing the fast during daylight hours, as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith.

Ramadan is based on the cycle of the moon, meaning that the dates are different from year to year, and cannot be predicted precisely.

During Ramadan there is an increased offering of the Salat, with Muslims giving thanks to Allah and reflecting on their lives.

Beyond fasting, Muslims are also encouraged to read the Quran, with the holy text recited at the Tarawih, special nightly prayers held throughout the month.

Ramadan literally means “scorching heat” in Arabic, and marks the month when the Quran is said to have been revealed to Prophet Muhammad by God via the archangel Gabriel in 610 AD.

UK Ramadan timetable

Both the Central London Mosque and the East London Mosque have compiled Ramadan timetables, which give worshippers in the capital all the information they need to observe the fast correctly.

Here are the key timings day-by-day for Fajr and Maghrib – when the fast begins and ends – in London for the Muslim holy month.

The start and end dates are contingent on the moon sighting which signifies when Ramadan begins. This year the holy month was expected to commence on Monday 12 April, but will now start on Tuesday 13 April.

Ramadan timetable (Time Fast Begins, Time Fast Ends)

It should be noted that these timings only hold for the capital – because of the varying times of sunrise and sunset across the rest of the UK, there are variations depending on location.

Fortunately, the charity Muslim Hands has provided the following helpful guide to adjust the fast timetable to apply to where you are: