Ramadan: The Ninth Islamic Month

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year and its most important. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Adult Muslims who are able to do so go without food, drink and marital relations from dawn until sunset each day of the month.

It is the month in which the Quran was first revealed. The Quran says: "The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for the people" (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185). Nights are spent in the Tarawih prayer, and many people complete a full reading of the Quran.

The last ten nights carry special weight because one of them is Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, which the Quran describes as better than a thousand months. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told Muslims to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten. The 27th is the night most widely observed. The month ends with the sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

Begins on

Gregorian dates are based on the Umm al-Qura calendar and may differ by a day where months are fixed by local moon sighting.

Notable days

• 1The first day of fasting.
• 17Anniversary of the Battle of Badr, 2 AH.
• 21-29The last ten nights; Laylat al-Qadr is sought on the odd nights.
• 27The night most commonly observed as Laylat al-Qadr.