My friend is fasting for Ramadan. What do I do at lunch?

Eat your lunch. Your friend has fasted next to sandwiches for years, and most don’t mind. Just don’t offer them food, and don’t make it a big deal. If you want to be a great friend, ask how the fast is going, save the hard workout talk for after sunset, and say “Ramadan Mubarak.” That means “blessed Ramadan.”

1 · MindWhat people believe, and how they know

During Ramadan, many Muslims don’t eat or drink from dawn until sunset for a whole month. The fast is one of the core practices of Islam (Qur’an 2:183-185, summarized). Kids who haven’t reached puberty, and people who are sick, usually don’t have to fast. Many teens fast anyway because they want to.

2 · HeartWhat it feels like

By the afternoon your friend is hungry and tired. Gym class is hard. A long lunch period can feel even longer.

They’re also excited. Evenings are full of family dinners, late snacks and staying up. It’s a hard month and a happy one at the same time.

By the end of Ramadan, your friend will have fasted next to pizza for thirty days. The least we can do is learn what to say when it’s over.Neighbor Radio

3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor

Keep sitting with them at lunch, if they want company. Some like to sit somewhere quieter, like the library. Ask, “Do you want to hang out at lunch, or would a break from food be nicer?” If you plan something after school, offer to wait until sunset to get food together. That meal is called iftar, and it’s the best part of the day.

This weekAsk your friend what their family eats to break the fast, and remember the answer.

SourcesWhere it is in the scriptures

Qur’an

• Qur'an 2:183-185

Bible passages are quoted from the World English Bible. Other sacred texts are summarized, with references so you can find them.

Plain wordsWhat do these words mean?

Qur’an

The holy book of Islam. Muslims believe God revealed it to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.

All the words →

Four questions to take with you

From Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan, about the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Samaritan Test.

1. Did they see? Or look right past?
2. Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
3. Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
4. Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?

Try it on: when a friend is having a hard day, do you notice, or do you only notice when they’re fun?

Quick questions

Is it rude to drink water in front of them?

No. Just don’t offer them any until sunset.

What do I say when Ramadan ends?

Say “Eid Mubarak.” It means “blessed celebration.”