Ramadan is a central observance in Islam, marked by a month-long period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. It follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so its start date shifts each year. During this time, Muslims deepen their spiritual practice and self-discipline, culminating in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
Ramadan holds central religious importance in Islam because Muslims believe it was during this month that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
This event marks the beginning of divine revelation in Islamic belief. Within Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Power, commemorates the initial revelation and is described in the Qur’an as better than a thousand months. For this reason, Muslims devote increased time to prayer, Qur’an recitation and supplication during the month.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Its beginning and end are determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, which causes the dates to shift approximately ten to twelve days earlier each solar year.
Fasting during Ramadan, known in Arabic as ṣawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the fundamental acts of worship required of Muslims.
Each day from dawn, marked by the fajr prayer, until sunset, marked by the maghrib prayer, adult Muslims who are physically able abstain from food and drink. The fast begins before dawn with a meal called suḥūr and ends at sunset with ifṭãr.
Islamic law provides exemptions for specific groups, including children, the elderly, the sick, pregnant or breastfeeding women and travelers. Those who miss fasts for valid reasons are generally required to make them up later when able. Fasting emphasizes self-control, moral conduct and heightened spiritual awareness.
Ramadan is observed through both personal devotion and communal religious practice.
In addition to the five daily prayers, many Muslims observe special nightly prayers called tarawih, performed after the evening prayer throughout the month. The final ten days are considered especially significant, as they include Laylat al-Qadr. Acts of charity are also emphasized, including zakat, an obligatory form of almsgiving, as well as voluntary charity.
Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, which begins with the sighting of the new moon marking the start of Shawwal, the next lunar month. Eid al-Fitr includes a congregational prayer held shortly after sunrise, festive meals, social visits and the giving of Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer.
