What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar following the lunar cycle. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is observed every year. The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root R-M-Ḍ (ر-م-ض), meaning "scorching heat."
Ramadan month begins on a different date each year. Muslims around the world observe it through fasting, daily prayers, and worship.
What Is Ramadan and Fasting
Sawm or Ramadan fasting means refraining from food, drink, smoking, and certain activities from dawn to sunset. It is a time for self-control and worship. Muslims use this time for daily prayers and reciting the Quran. Ramadan also encourages charity and kindness.
What Is Ramadan and Eid
Ramadan lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon, which also signals the beginning of Eid al-Fitr and the month of Shawwal. Eid commences upon the sighting of the new moon. Due to the lunar cycle, both Ramadan and Eid move forward by approximately 10 to 11 days each year.
Eid day starts with a morning prayer. During Ramadan, Muslims give a charity called Zakat al-Fitr. This helps those in need join the celebration. On Eid, families and friends gather for meals and conversation.
Significance of Ramadan in Islam
Many reasons make Ramadan special. The most highlighted points are,
Revelation of the Quran
The Quran started being revealed in the month of Ramadan. Muslims believe it is the direct word of God. Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, is very important in Islam. It falls on the last 10 days of Ramadan. It is believed to be the night when the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of Quran. The Quran (97:1-4) describes this night as better than a thousand months.
Fasting and Self-Discipline
Sawm or fasting during Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. Ramadan fasting rules include abstaining from food, drink, and bad habits during daylight. This practice teaches patience and self-control.
The Quran states:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous" (2:183)
This means that fasting during Ramadan is required for Muslims to help them become better and more righteous.
Spiritual Reflection and Prayer
Muslims increase their daily prayers and read the Quran more. They seek forgiveness and focus on self-improvement. Many spend extra time in mosques praying.
Charity and Generosity
Helping others is important during Ramadan. Muslims give to those in need and share meals. Many also break their fast with others, bringing communities together.
How Long Is Ramadan?
Ramadan lasts 29 to 30 days. Ramadan begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. It ends when the next crescent moon appears. This happens because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle.
When is Ramadan 2025?
Ramadan will start on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025. It will end on Saturday, March 30, 2025. These dates are based on calculations. As the Islamic Calendar depends on the lunar cycle, moon sightings may change them in some places. Some regions may start or end Ramadan on different days.
How to Celebrate Ramadan?
In Ramadan, Muslims focus on worship and self-discipline. It is a time of fasting, prayer, and charity.
Fasting
Fasting is the main part of Ramadan. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Ramadan fasting teaches patience, self-control, gratitude, and empathy. It helps you develop discipline, strengthen your faith, and appreciate the struggles of those in need.
It is a way to purify the soul and focus on spiritual growth. The Quran states,
شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٖ فَعِدَّةٞ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ
"The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”
-[Al-Baqarah 2:185]
Prayers
Muslims perform five daily prayers during Ramadan 2025 like any other time. These prayers are an essential part of their faith. These prayers include Fajr before dawn, Dhuhr at noon, Asr in the afternoon, Maghrib in the evening, and Isha at night.
During the holy month, Muslims also perform Tarawih after Isha. This prayer is optional but highly recommended. It includes the entire recitation of the Quran.
Praying regularly increases faith and brings peace. It helps Muslims stay connected with Allah and seek forgiveness. It is a way to stay disciplined and spiritually strong.
Duas
Dua is a personal supplication to Allah. Muslims make duas for forgiveness, guidance, and protection in Ramadan. They ask for blessings in this world and the next.
Muslims also recite duas before fasting and after breaking fast meals. These prayers increase spiritual rewards and help Muslims stay mindful and grateful for Allah’s mercy.
Others
Giving charity is an important activity of Ramadan. Muslims give Zakat and Sadaqah to help the poor. While Sadaqah is considered a voluntary charity, Zakat is an obligatory almsgiving that requires eligible Muslims to pay 2.5% of their wealth to the needy. Ramadan meals are also shared with those in need.
And there is the most blessed night of the month of Ramadan, Laylatul Qadar. It is believed that the Quran first revealed on this night. Though the exact date is unknown, most search in the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
Worshiping on Laylatul Qadar equals thousands of months of prayer (Quran 97:3). On this night, Angels bring peace, and Allah forgives sins (Quran 97:4-5). Muslims spend these nights in search of Laylatul Qadar by praying, reciting the Quran, and seeking Allah’s mercy. Some stay in mosques, while others pray at home. This is a time of deep reflection and devotion.