What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered one of the holiest months in Islam. It is done by Muslims around the world. It's a month dedicated to worship, reflection, self-discipline, and strengthening one’s relationship with Allah SWT. The month of Ramadan commemorates the time when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, making it a deeply meaningful and sacred period for Muslims. Because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon and shifts about ten to eleven days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

One of the main practices of Ramadan is fasting, known in Arabic as sawm. From sunrise until sunset, Muslims do not eat or drink anything. The fast begins before dawn with a pre-dawn meal called suhoor and ends at sunset with a meal called iftar. While fasting involves refraining from food and drink, it is also intended to encourage Muslims to control their thoughts, words, and actions. Believers are encouraged to avoid gossip, anger, and negative behavior, focusing instead on kindness, patience, and generosity. Through fasting, Muslims develop self-discipline and strengthen their relationship with Allah SWT, reminding themselves to be grateful for the blessings they have.

Ramadan is also a time of increased worship and devotion. Muslims spend more time praying, reading and reflecting on the Qur’an, and making charitable donations. Many attend the night prayer known as Taraweeh, where long portions of the Qur’an are recited in congregation. Taraweeh prayer is only done during Ramadan. Charity, or zakat and sadaqah, is especially emphasized during this month as Muslims are encouraged to help those in need. By experiencing hunger and thirst, Muslims develop empathy for people who struggle with poverty.

Not everyone is required to fast during Ramadan. Children are not obligated to fast until they reach puberty, though many practice fasting for shorter periods to get used to it as they get older. Additionally, people who are sick, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, elderly, or medically unable to fast are exempt from fasting. Depending on the situation, they may make up the missed fasts later or provide fidya, which involves feeding someone in need.

Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days and concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Ramadan is not only about fasting but also about self-improvement, generosity, getting closer to Allah SWT, and much more.