Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day for 29 or 30 days, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations. It is a time of increased prayer, Quran recitation, charity and community. It ends with Eid al-Fitr — one of the two major Islamic celebrations.
Why do Muslims fast in Ramadan?
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam — the core obligations that every Muslim is required to fulfil. The command comes directly from the Quran:
The Arabic word for fasting is Sawm (صوم). The purpose is not simply to go hungry — it is a spiritual discipline. Muslims fast to develop taqwa, which means God-consciousness or piety — a heightened awareness of Allah in every moment of the day.
Ramadan is also the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This makes it the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar — a time when the connection between the believer and their Creator is at its most intense.
When is Ramadan?
Ramadan falls in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar — based on the cycles of the moon rather than the sun — Ramadan shifts approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
This means that over a person's lifetime, Ramadan passes through every season — sometimes in the long hot days of summer, sometimes in the short mild days of winter. The length of each fasting day therefore varies significantly depending on the year and where in the world you live.
Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin around late February.
What exactly is the fast?
From the first light of dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib), Muslims abstain completely from:
The pre-dawn meal before the fast begins is called Suhoor (سحور). The meal that breaks the fast at sunset is called Iftar (إفطار). It is Sunnah — the practice of the Prophet ﷺ — to break the fast with dates and water, following his example.
The fast is broken each evening with the Maghrib prayer. Iftar is one of the most joyful moments of the day — families and communities gather to eat together, mosques open their doors, and the spirit of generosity and sharing fills the month.
Who has to fast?
Fasting is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is physically able. Islam makes clear exemptions for those who cannot fast without harm:
Those who miss days due to illness or travel must make them up later in the year. Those who are permanently unable to fast — such as the elderly or chronically ill — can instead feed a poor person for each day missed. This is called fidya.
What else happens in Ramadan?
Fasting is only one part of Ramadan. The month is also marked by:
How does Ramadan end?
Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon, marking the beginning of the month of Shawwal. The day after Ramadan ends is Eid al-Fitr — the Festival of Breaking the Fast.
Eid al-Fitr is a day of celebration, gratitude and community. Muslims begin the day with a special Eid prayer at the mosque, wear their best clothes, visit family and friends, exchange gifts and share meals. Before the Eid prayer, every Muslim must give Zakat al-Fitr — a small mandatory charity — to ensure that the poor can also celebrate.
The greeting used throughout Eid is "Eid Mubarak" — Blessed Eid — or "Eid Sa'id" — Happy Eid.