Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar based on the cycles of the moon. Muslims throughout the world fast during this month, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn (Fajr time) until sunset (Maghrib time).

Because the lunar year is approximately ten days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan shifts earlier each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, the month may fall at different seasons—summer or winter—which affects the length of the fasting day.

Religious significance

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for adult Muslims in good health. Exemptions are granted to the sick, travelers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly. Those unable to fast may make up the missed days later (qada), or, if illness is permanent, feed a needy person instead (fidya).

Ramadan is associated with the revelation of the Qur'an. For this reason, Qur'anic recitation increases during the month, and mosques hold special nightly prayers called Tarawih. The last ten nights include Laylatul Qadar, a night of special significance to Muslims; many intensify their worship during the odd-numbered nights of this final period.

Daily practice

The fasting day begins with a pre-dawn meal called suhur and ends with an evening meal called iftaar. Iftaar traditionally begins with dates and water, followed by a full meal. In many communities, iftaar is a time for families and neighbors to gather; charitable giving and feeding the poor also increase during this month.

Beginning and end of the month

The start of Ramadan depends on sighting the new moon (hilaal) or astronomical calculation. Because different methods are used, different countries and communities sometimes differ by one or two days in determining when the month begins. The end of the month is marked by Eid al-Fitr, which falls on the first day of Shawwal; before the festival, alms called zakat al-fitr are distributed to the poor.