Ramadan Start

Ramadan (also spelled Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a sacred period observed by Muslims worldwide through fasting, prayer, charity, and spiritual reflection.

What Is Ramadan?

Ramadan is one of the holiest months in Islam, commemorating the period when the Qur’an first began to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a month of increased devotion to Allah through prayer, reflection, and fasting for Muslims worldwide.

The holy month of Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and begins with the sighting of the Waxing Crescent Moon, the very slim crescent that appears just after the New Moon, marking the start of the new lunar month.

Some Muslim communities choose to rely on astronomical calculations rather than the physical sighting of the Moon to determine the start and end of the month.

Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days. The month concludes at sunset with the sighting (or calculation) of the next Crescent Moon, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr is observed the following day, which is the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

How Do People Observe Ramadan?

During Ramadan, Muslims fast each day from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual activity during the daylight hours.

Fasting is not only a physical practice but also a spiritual one: believers strive to exercise self-discipline and make an extra effort to avoid negative behavior, such as lying, gossiping, arguing, or fighting during this period.

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam—the most important Islamic practices—and is accompanied during Ramadan by an emphasis on reciting the Qur’an, performing communal prayers, and engaging in good deeds.

Making charitable donations (zakat) is another Pillar of Islam; although it is practiced year-round, many people place extra focus on charitable giving during Ramadan. People may also donate food and clothing to those in need ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan.

Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

During this month, many Muslims commemorate Laylat al-Qadr—known as the Night of Power—when it is widely believed that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Believers are encouraged to engage in extra prayer and devotion, seeking mercy and blessings on the night of Laylat al-Qadr. The exact date of this sacred night remains unknown; according to Islamic belief, it falls on one of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Many Sunni Muslims believe that it falls on the 27th night of Ramadan. Shia Muslims also believe that Laylat al-Qadr occurs in the last 10 days, with the 23rd night considered the most likely and the 19th and 21st nights also regarded as potential dates.

In many communities, communal gatherings, night prayers, and overnight worship, especially during these last 10 nights, are common.

Ramadan Meals: Suhur and Iftar

The day begins with a predawn meal called suhur, eaten before Fajr, the morning prayer. Suhur helps sustain fasting Muslims through the day and is considered a blessed and recommended part of the fast.

Evening prayers and meals (iftar) are often shared in homes or mosques after sundown; this is known as the breaking of the fast. Iftar typically begins with eating dates and drinking water, following a tradition believed to have been established by the Prophet Muhammad, providing a gentle way to break the day’s fast.

Timing the Fast

The length of the fast each day depends on the daylight hours in a given location; Muslims living near the polar regions, where daylight hours can be extremely long or short, may follow one of several scholarly-endorsed methods, such as choosing to follow Mecca’s timings or the timing of a nearby lower-latitude city.

Sunrise and sunset times in your location

The Islamic Calendar and Ramadan

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar with 12 months, totaling about 354 days. As a result, Ramadan shifts roughly 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. Over a 33-year cycle, it passes through every season.

Did You Know?

The word “Ramadan” comes from an Arabic root meaning “intense heat” or “dryness.”

Frequently Asked Questions

When Does Ramadan Start and End?

For most Muslims, Ramadan begins with the sighting of the Waxing Crescent Moon, marking the start of the new lunar month. Although many communities now use calculated lunar calendars rather than relying on physical Moon sightings. Ramadan ends after 29 or 30 days when the first visible Crescent Moon after sunset is sighted or calculated, marking the beginning of the month of Shawwal and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

Who Is Exempt from Fasting during Ramadan?

Some groups are exempt from fasting during Ramadan, including:

• children
• the elderly
• people who are chronically or temporarily ill
• pregnant women
• nursing mothers
• menstruating women
• postpartum women
• travelers
• individuals whose physical or mental health would be harmed by fasting

Depending on the situation, missed fasts may be made up at a later time, or fidya (charitable compensation) may be provided when applicable.

What Is Laylat al-Qadr?

Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, is believed to be the night the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is commonly observed on the 27th night of Ramadan but may fall on any of the last 10 odd-numbered nights.

Is Ramadan at the Same Time Every Year?

No. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan shifts about 10–12 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.