Fasting During Ramadan in Scandinavian Countries: A Unique Perspective

Scandinavia, including Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, presents a unique challenge for Muslims during the month of Ramadan. With their high latitudes, these countries experience extremely long days in the summer and short nights in the winter, significantly impacting the Ramadan fast. How do Muslims in these regions adapt to the long daylight hours during the summer months?

The Geographic Challenge

Scandinavia is situated at high latitudes, which means that during certain months, the region experiences long daylight periods and short, dark nights. This is particularly true for areas around the Arctic Circle, such as Troms?, where the sun never sets during the summer solstice and never rises during the winter solstice. For the majority of the population, however, the experience is less extreme.

Day and Night Durations

Due to the longitude of the countries being aligned with Germany, the time of day is governed by longitude rather than latitude, which would determine daylight hours. However, the latitude is the critical factor for fasting during Ramadan, as the fast is defined by the period between dawn and dusk.

Summer Fasting

In the summer, which lasts from May to July, the days are exceptionally long. In fact, the period of daylight can exceed 20 hours, making it challenging for Muslims to adhere to the traditional fasting schedule. The longest day of the year, around the summer solstice, usually has about 18 to 20 hours of daylight in these countries. This makes the fast significantly longer than the typical 14 to 16 hours found in more temperate regions.

Winter Fasting

In winter, which spans from November to January, the nights are long and dark, but the days are still shorter than in summer. However, the challenge in winter is ensuring that the fast is done at the appropriate times as specified by the local time and the horizon.

Fiqh Perspectives and Differences

There is some room for flexibility in the Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) when it comes to how the fast is observed in these extreme conditions. The hadith of the Quran, particularly those concerning the color of the sunlight on the horizon, provide guidance. However, these hadith require deeper research and interpretation.

Many Islamic scholars suggest following the local community based on the timing of dawn and dusk. For example, Muslims living in the extreme north might follow the traditions of those living further south, where the sun does rise and set regularly.

Practical Solutions and Recommendations

Given the unique challenges and diverse opinions, a practical approach is to align with the local community or, if necessary, the nearest community where the sun does rise and set. This approach ensures that the fast is performed in a way that is both spiritually and physically manageable.

Ultimately, the specific guidance for fasting during Ramadan in these regions should be sought from knowledgeable religious scholars or local Imams who can provide the necessary insights and recommendations.

As is true in all of Islam, Allah knows best, and it is important to seek guidance from the sacred texts and experienced scholars.