View source for Ramadan

{{Short description|Month-long fasting event in Islam}}
{{other uses}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox month
| image         = {{multiple image
  | total_width            = 263
  | border                 = infobox
  | perrow                 = 1/2/2
  | caption_align = center 
 | image1          = Crescent moon - Hilal.jpg
 | caption1        = A crescent moon over [[Sarıçam]], Turkey
 | image2          = Ramadan Quran Reading, Bandar Torkaman (13950320163308600).jpg
 | caption2        = Women reading the [[Quran]] in [[Bandar Torkaman]], Iran
 | image3          = Breaking the Fast (2) (27351979537).jpg
 | caption3        = Men breaking their fast in [[Grand Mosque in Dubai|Dubai Grand Mosque]]
 | image4          = Tarawih Ramadan di Masjid Raya Sumbar 2019 (2).jpg
 | caption4        = [[Tarawih]] prayers in a mosque in [[West Sumatra]], Indonesia
 | image5          = Iftar 2.jpg
 | caption5        = ''[[Iftar]]'' meal 
 | image6          = فوازير رمضان في شوارع واسواق عدن.jpg
 | caption6        = Ramadan decorations in the streets of [[Aden]], Yemen
 | image7          = Zakat Donation Box in Taipei Mosque 20190519.jpg
 | caption7        = ''[[Zakat]]'' donation boxes in [[Taipei]], Taiwan
}}
| holidays    = 
* [[Al-'Ashr al-Awakher]]
* [[Laylat al-Qadr]]
* [[Jumu'atul-Wida]]
* [[Laylat al-Jaiza]]
| prev_month  = [[Sha'ban]]
| next_month  = [[Shawwal]]
|num=9
|calendar=[[Islamic calendar]]
|days=29–30 (depends on actual observation of the moon's crescent)
}}
{{IslamicMonths sidebar}}
'''Ramadan'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|lang|ˌ|r|æ|m|ə|ˈ|d|ɑː|n}}, <small>also</small> {{IPAc-en|US|ˌ|r|ɑː|m|-|,_|ˈ|r|æ|m|ə|d|ɑː|n|,_|ˈ|r|ɑː|m|-}},<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Ramadan|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ramadan|title=Ramadan|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Ramadan|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|r|æ|m|ə|d|æ|n}}<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Ramadan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303035204/https://www.lexico.com/definition/ramadan |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-03-03 |title=Ramadan |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref>}}{{efn-num|{{langx|ar|رَمَضَان|Ramaḍān}} {{IPA|ar|ra.ma.dˤaːn|}};{{efn|According to Arabic phonology, it can be realized as {{IPA|ar|rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn, ramaˈdˤɑːn, ræmæˈdˤɑːn|}}, depending on the region.}} also spelled '''Ramazan''', '''Ramzan''', '''Ramadhan''', or '''Ramathan'''}} is the ninth month of the [[Islamic calendar]]. It is observed by [[Muslim]]s worldwide as a month of [[fasting]] (''[[Fasting in Islam|sawm]]''), communal [[prayer]] ([[salah]]), reflection, and community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramadan|title=Ramadan: Fasting and Traditions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322021411/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramadan|archive-date=22 March 2019|url-status=live|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> It is also the month in which the [[Quran]] is believed to have been revealed to the [[Prophets of Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]]. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the [[five pillars of Islam]]<ref name="BBC 2012">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/islam/ramadan.shtml|title=Schools&nbsp;– Religions|work=BBC|access-date=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827092420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/islam/ramadan.shtml|archive-date=27 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the [[Hilal (crescent moon)|crescent moon]] to the next.<ref name="Bukhari">{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2466-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-124.html |title= Sahih Bukhari&nbsp;– Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 124. |first= AbdAllah-Muhammad |last= Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail |work= hadithcollection.com |date= 28 January 2009 |access-date= 25 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120613040509/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2466-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-124.html |archive-date= 13 June 2012  }}</ref><ref name="Muslim">{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10970-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2378.html |title= Sahih Muslim&nbsp;– Book 006 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 2378. |first= Abul-Hussain |last= Muslim-Ibn-Habaj |work= hadithcollection.com |date= 28 June 2009 |access-date= 25 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170910/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10970-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2378.html |archive-date= 15 January 2013  }}</ref>

Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory (''[[fard]]'') for all adult Muslims who are not [[acute illness|acutely]] or [[chronic illness|chronically ill]], [[travel]]ling, [[old age|elderly]], [[breastfeeding]], [[Pregnancy|pregnant]], or [[Menstruation in Islam|menstruating]].<ref>Fasting (Al Siyam)&nbsp;– {{lang|ar|الصيام}}&nbsp;– p. 18, el Bahay el Kholi, 1998</ref> The predawn meal is referred to as ''[[suhur]]'', and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called ''[[iftar]]''.<ref>Islam, Andrew Egan&nbsp;– 2002&nbsp;– p. 24</ref><ref>Dubai&nbsp;– p. 189, Andrea Schulte-Peevers&nbsp;– 2010</ref> Although rulings (''[[fatawa]]'') have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a [[midnight sun]] or [[polar night]] should follow the timetable of [[Mecca]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/201201/ramadan.in.the.farthest.north.htm|website=Saudi Aramco World|title=Ramadan in the Farthest North|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204183609/https://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/201201/ramadan.in.the.farthest.north.htm|archive-date=4 February 2015}}</ref> it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day.<ref name="Ramadan2014"/><ref name="ottawacitizen"/><ref name="ArcticRamadan"/>

The spiritual rewards (''[[thawab]]'') of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2465-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-125.html|title=Sahih Bukhari&nbsp;– Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 125.|last=Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail|first=AbdAllah-Muhammad|work=hadithcollection.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170845/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2465-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-125.html|archive-date=15 January 2013|access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref> Accordingly, during the hours of fasting, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also from all behavior deemed to be [[Islamic views on sin|sinful in Islam]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Jane I.|title=Islam in America|date=2010|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|isbn=978-0-231-14710-1|page=15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tom-AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA15|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Hotaling|first1=Edward|title=Islam Without Illusions: Its Past, Its Present, and Its Challenge for the Future|date=2003|publisher=Syracuse University Press|isbn=978-0-8156-0766-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/islamwithoutillu0000hota/page/57 57]|url=https://archive.org/details/islamwithoutillu0000hota|url-access=registration|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the [[Quran]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/hadith/abudawud/006-sat.php|title=Sunan Abu-Dawud&nbsp;– (The Book of Prayer)&nbsp;– Detailed Injunctions about Ramadan, Hadith 1370|last=[[Abu Dawood|Abu Dawud]]-Ibn-Ash'ath-AsSijisstani|first=Sulayman|work=Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement of The University of Southern California|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615174109/http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/hadith/abudawud/006-sat.php|archive-date=15 June 2012|url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2391-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-199.html|title=Sahih Bukhari&nbsp;– Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 199.|last=Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail|first=AbdAllah-Muhammad|work=hadithcollection.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170800/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2391-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-199.html|archive-date=15 January 2013|access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The word ''Ramadan'' derives from the Arabic root ''R-M-Ḍ'' ({{lang|ar|ر-م-ض|link=}}) "scorching heat",<ref>{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10952-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2391.html |title= Sahih Muslim&nbsp;– Book 006 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 2391. |first= Abul-Hussain |last= Muslim-Ibn-Habaj |work= hadithcollection.com |date= 28 June 2009 |access-date= 25 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143146/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10952-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2391.html |archive-date= 12 June 2018  }}</ref> which is the [[Classical Arabic]] verb "''ramiḍa'' ({{lang|ar|رَمِضَ|link=}})" meaning "become intensely hot – become burning; become scorching; be blazing; be glowing".<ref>{{Cite web |title=رمضان.. لماذا سمي الشهر التاسع في التقويم الهجري بهذا الاسم؟ |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/culture/2021/4/15/%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%9F |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=الجزيرة نت |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=لماذا سمي شهر رمضان بهذا الاسم؟ {{!}} تعلم العربية |url=https://learning.aljazeera.net/en/Blogs/%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85 |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=learning.aljazeera.net |language=en}}</ref>

Ramadan is thought of as one of the [[names of God in Islam]] by some, and as such it is reported in many [[hadiths]] that it is prohibited to say only "Ramadan" in reference to the calendar month and that it is necessary to say "month of Ramadan", as reported in [[Sunni]],<ref name="Al-Bayhaqi">{{cite book |last=[[Al-Bayhaqi]] |first=Abu Bakr |title=[[Sunan al-Kubra lil Behaqi|Sunnan al-Kubra]] |volume=4 |page=Book 11, Ch. 6, No. 7904 |language=ar |quote=قال رسولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّىٰ اللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: 'لا تَقولوا «رَمَضَانُ»، فإِنَّ رَمَضانَ اسمٌ مِن أسماءِ اللَّهِ، ولَكِن قولوا «شَهرُ رَمَضانَ».' وهَكَذا رَواه الحارِثُ بنُ عبدِ اللَّهِ الخازِنُ عن أبي مَعشَرٍ. وأبو مَعشَرٍ هو نَجيحٌ السِّندِىُّ، ضَعَّفَه يَحيَى بنُ مَعين}}</ref><ref name="Al-Tabari">{{cite book |last=[[Al-Tabari]] |first=Muhammad ibn Jarir |title=[[Tafsir al-Tabari]] |language=ar |volume =3|page=187 |quote=أَنَّهُ كَرِهَ أَنْ يُقَالُ «رَمَضَانَ»، وَيَقُولُ: لَعَلَّهُ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّٰهِ، لَٰكِنَّ نَقُولُ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّٰهُ: «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» }}</ref><ref name="Al-Razi">{{cite book |last=[[Fakhr al-Din al-Razi|Al-Razi]] |first=Fakhr al-Din |title=[[Tafsir al-Kabir (al-Razi)|Tafsir al-Kabir]] |language=ar |volume=5|page= 251 |quote=عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّىٰ اللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: لَا تَقُولُوا۟ «جَاءَ رَمَضَانُ» وَ«ذَهَبَ رَمَضَانُ» وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ «جَاءَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» وَ«ذَهَبَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» فَإِنَّ رَمَضَانَ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّٰهِ تَعَالَىٰ. }}</ref><ref name="Ibn Abu Hatim">{{cite book |last=Ibn Abu Hatim |first=Abdul Rahman |title=Tafsir Ibn Abu Hatim |language=ar|volume =1 |page= 310, Nu. 1648 |quote=لَا تَقُولُوا۟ «رَمَضَانُ»، فَإِنَّ رَمَضَانَ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّٰهِ، وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» }}</ref><ref name="Al-Dimashqi">{{cite book |last=Al-Dimashqi |first=Tamam |title=Fawa'id al-Tamam |language=ar |volume=1|page= 104, Nu. 241 |quote=قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّٰهِ صَلَّىٰ اللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لَا يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ «صُمْتُ رَمَضَانَ»، وَ«قُمْتُ رَمَضَانَ»، وَلَا «صَنَعْتُ فِي رَمَضَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا»، فَإِنَّ رَمَضَانَ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّٰهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الْعِظَامِ، وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» كَمَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ }}</ref><ref name="Ibn al-Saqri">{{cite book |last=Ibn al-Saqri |first=Abu Tahir |title=Mashyakhah |language=ar |volume =1|page= 126, Nu. 52 |quote=عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّٰهِ مَا مَعْنَىٰ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّٰهِ صَلَّىٰ اللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: يَا حُمَيْرَاءُ لَا تَقُولِي «رَمَضَانُ» فَإِنَّهُ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّٰهِ وَلَٰكِنْ قُولِي «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» يَعْنِي رَمَضَانَ أَرْمَضَ فِيهِ ذُنُوبَ عِبَادِهِ فَغَفَرَهَا }}</ref> [[Shia]]<ref name="Al-Kafi">{{cite book |last=[[Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni|Al-Kulayni]] |first=Muhammad ibn Ya'qub |title=[[Kitab al-Kafi|Al-Kafi]] |language=ar |page=Book 14 (the Book of Fasting), Ch. 4 |quote=قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ): لَا تَقُولُوا۟ «هَٰذَا رَمَضَانُ» وَلَا «ذَهَبَ رَمَضَانُ» وَلَا «جَاءَ رَمَضَانُ» فَإِنَّ رَمَضَانَ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّٰهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَا يَجِيءُ وَلَا يَذْهَبُ وَإِنَّمَا يَجِيءُ وَيَذْهَبُ الزَّائِلُ وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» فَإِنَّ الشَّهْرَ مُضَافٌ إِلَىٰ الْاسْمِ وَالاسْمُ اسْمُ اللَّٰهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ }}</ref><ref name="Al-Faqih">{{cite book |last=[[Ibn Babawayh]] |first=al-Saduq |title=[[Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih]] |language=ar |volume=2|page= 182 |quote=قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ): لَا تَقُولُوا۟ «رَمَضَانُ» وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ مَا رَمَضَانُ }}</ref><ref name="Wasa'il al-Shia">{{cite book |last=[[Al-Hurr al-Amili|Al-Hurr Al-Amili]] |first=Muhammad |title=[[Wasa'il al-Shia]] |language=ar |volume =10|page= Ch. 19 |quote=عَلِيٍّ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) قَالَ: لَا تَقُولُوا۟ «رَمَضَانُ» فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ مَا رَمَضَانُ فَمَنْ قَالَهُ فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ وَلْيَصُمْ كَفَّارَهً لِقَوْلِهِ وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّٰهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ»  }}</ref><ref name="Bihar Al-Anwar 1">{{cite book |last=[[Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi|Al-Majlisi]] |first=Muhammad-Baqir |title=[[Bihar al-Anwar]] |language=ar |volume =93|page= Ch. 48 }}</ref><ref name="Al-Iqbal">{{cite book |last=[[Sayyed Ibn Tawus|Ibn Tawus]] |first=Sayyid |title=Al-Iqbal Bil-Amal |language=ar |volume=2|page= 29 }}</ref><ref name="Mustadrak al-Wasa'il">{{cite book |last=Al-Nouri Al-Tabarsi |first=Husayn |title=Mustadrak al-Wasa'il |language=ar |volume =7|page=Ch. 12, Hadith 1, Nu. 8609 }}</ref> and [[Zaidiyyah|Zaydi]]<ref name="Al-Amali Al-Khamisiyah">{{cite book |last=Al-Shajari |first=Yahya bin Hussein |title=Al-Amali Al-Khamisiyah |language=ar |volume =1|page= 380, Nu. 1355 |quote=أَنَّ عَلِيًّا عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ كَانَ يَقُولُ: لَا تَقُولُوا۟ «رَمَضَانُ» فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ مَا رَمَضَانُ فَمَنْ قَالَهُ فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ وَلْيَصُمْ كَفَّارَةً لِقَوْلِهِ، وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّٰهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ» }}</ref> sources. However, the report has been graded by others as [[Mawḍūʻ]] (fabricated)<ref name="Ibn al-Jawzi">{{cite book |last=[[Ibn al-Jawzi]] |first=Abdul Rahman |title=[[A Great Collection of Fabricated Traditions|Al-Mawdu'at]] |volume=2 |page=187 |language=ar |quote=قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّٰهِ صَلَّىٰ اللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لَا تَقُولُوا۟ «رَمَضَانُ» فَإِنَّ رَمَضَانَ اسْمُ اللَّٰهِ، وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا۟ «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ»}}</ref> and [[Da'if|inauthentic]].<ref name="Al-Bayhaqi" />

In the [[Persian language]], the Arabic letter {{lang|ar|[[ض]]|link=}} (''[[Ḍād]]'') is pronounced as /z/. The Muslim communities in some countries with historical Persian influence, such as [[Afghanistan]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Iran]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Turkey]], use the word ''Ramazan'' or ''Ramzan''. The word ''Romzan'' is used in [[Bangladesh]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-26 |title=Was ist Ramadan? - Diegebetszeiten.de |url=https://diegebetszeiten.de/was-ist-ramadan/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426133550/https://diegebetszeiten.de/was-ist-ramadan/ |archive-date=26 April 2020 }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:002185 Al-Baqarah UsmaniScript.png|thumb|[[Al-Baqara|Chapter 2]], Verse 185 in Arabic]]
{{blockquote|Ramadan is the month on which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.|{{qref|2|185|c=y}}}}

Muslims hold that all [[scripture]]s were [[Revelation|revealed]] during Ramadan, the [[scrolls of Abraham]], [[Torah in Islam|Torah]], [[Zabur|Psalms]], [[Gospel in Islam|Gospel]], and [[Quran]] having been handed down during that month.<ref name="Rafig">{{Cite book |last=Aliyev |first=Rafig Y. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6CvZJJt1PIC |title=Loud Thoughts on Religion: A Version of the System Study of Religion. Useful Lessons for Everybody |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4907-0521-7 |page=129}}</ref> Muhammad is said to have received his first quranic revelation on ''[[Laylat al-Qadr]]'', one of five odd-numbered nights that fall during the last ten days of Ramadan.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Magnificence of Quran|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=AKmmBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT29 |publisher = Darussalam Publishers|date = 2006|first = Mahmood Bin Ahmad Bin Saaleh|last = Ad-Dausaree}}</ref>

Although Muslims were first commanded to fast in the second year of ''[[Hijri year|Hijra]]'' (624 CE),<ref name="Rafig"/> they believe that the practice of fasting is not in fact an innovation of [[tawhid|monotheism]]<ref>Quran Chapter 2, Revelation 183</ref> but rather has always been necessary for believers to attain [[fear of God]] (''[[taqwa]]'').<ref>{{Cite book|title = Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islam (Salafi): Sharh Usool ath-Thalatha of Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahaab|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EbamAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT63|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200105005313/https://books.google.com/books?id=EbamAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT63|archive-date = 5 January 2020|publisher = Salafi Books|first = Shaikh Saalih|last = al-Uthaymeen}}</ref>{{qref|2|183|s=y|b=y}} They point to the fact that the [[Religion in pre-Islamic Arabia|pre-Islamic pagans]] of Mecca fasted on the tenth day of [[Muharram]] to [[propitiation|expiate sin]] and avoid [[drought]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = Loud Thoughts on Religion: A Version of the System Study of Religion. Useful Lessons for Everybody|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=t6CvZJJt1PIC|publisher = Trafford Publishing|year=2013|isbn = 978-1-4907-0521-7|first = Rafig Y.|last = Aliyev|page = 128}}{{self-published source|date=January 2018}}</ref> [[Philip Jenkins]] argues that the observance of Ramadan fasting grew out of "the strict [[Lenten]] discipline of the [[Syriac Christianity|Syrian Churches]]", a postulation corroborated by other scholars, including theologian [[Paul-Gordon Chandler]],<ref>Jenkins, Philip (2006). ''The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South''. p. 182. Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition.</ref><ref name="Chandler2008">{{cite book|last=Chandler|first=Paul-Gordon|title=Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road: Exploring a New Path Between Two Faiths|date=2008|publisher=Cowley Publications|language=en |isbn=978-0-7425-6603-3|page=88}}</ref> but disputed by some Muslim academics.<ref>Muhammad Mustafa al-Azami, "The History of The Quranic Text: From Revelation to Compilation: A Comparative Study with the Old and New Testaments", 2nd Edition (2008), Azami Publishing House</ref> The Quran itself emphasizes that the fast it prescribes had already been prescribed to earlier biblical communities (2:183), even though an explicit intertext for this pre-Islamic practice does not exist.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lowry |first=Joseph |date=2024 |title=Quranic Law and Its 'Biblical' Intertexts |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/asia-2023-0017/html |journal=Asiatische Studien - Études Asiatiques |language=en |volume=78 |issue=3 |pages=448 |doi=10.1515/asia-2023-0017 |issn=2235-5871|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Important dates ==
The [[Islamic calendar]] is a [[lunar calendar|lunar one]], where each month begins when the first [[crescent]] of a [[new moon]] is sighted. The Islamic year consists of 12 lunar cycles, and consequently it is 10 to 11 days shorter than the [[Tropical year|solar year]], and as it contains no [[Intercalation (timekeeping)|intercalation]],{{efn|A tropical year is almost the same length as a year in the Western [[Gregorian Calendar]], the difference is imperceptible in a human lifespan.}} Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset. The estimated start and end dates for Ramadan, based on the [[Umm al-Qura calendar]] of Saudi Arabia, are:<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Umm al-Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia |url=https://webspace.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/islam/ummalqura.htm |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=webspace.science.uu.nl}}</ref>

{|class=wikitable style="text-align: right"
|+Ramadan dates between 2022 and 2026 <!-- This table is deliberately limited to five years: last, this, next three. Any more would be unhelpful. There are many external sources that give comprehensive lists. -->
|-
!scope="col"|[[Anno Hegirae|AH]]
!scope="col"|First day ([[Common Era|CE]]/[[Anno Domini|AD]])
!scope="col"|Last day ([[Common Era|CE]]/[[Anno Domini|AD]])
|-
!scope="row"|1443
|2 April 2022
|1 May 2022
|-
!scope="row"|1444
|23 March 2023
|20 April 2023
|-
!scope="row"|1445
|11 March 2024
|{{0}}9 April 2024
|-
!scope="row"|1446
|{{0}}1 March 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-28 |title=Saudi Arabia confirms Ramadan to begin on March 1 after moon sighting |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2025/02/28/saudi-arabia-confirms-ramadan-to-begin-on-march-1-after-moon-sighting |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}</ref>
|29 March 2025
|-
!scope="row"|1447
|18 February 2026
|19 March 2026
|}

[[File:An Iranian iftar meal (2).jpg|thumb|An iftar meal]]
Many Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but others use the calculated time of the new moon or the [[Saudi Arabia]]n declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different countries, but usually only by a day. This is due to the [[Lunar month|cycles of the moon]]; the moon may not meet the criteria to qualify as a waxing crescent, which delineates the change in months, at the time of sundown in one location while later meeting it in another location.<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.ramadan.com.au/faq
 | title = What is the Islamic calendar?
 | work = FAQ - For Muslims
 | publisher = Ramadan Awareness Campaign
 | access-date = 2008-09-01
 | archive-date = 2012-09-09
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120909110833/http://www.ramadan.com.au/faq
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref> Astronomical projections that approximate the start of Ramadan are available.<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://moonsighting.com/ramadan.html
 | title = Ramadan and Eidian
 | access-date = 7 August 2012
 | publisher = Committee For Crescent Observation
 | archive-date = 4 August 2012
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120804124006/http://moonsighting.com/ramadan.html
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>

In [[Shia Islam]], one of the special dates of this month is the day of the [[Assassination of  Ali|assassination of Ali]], the fourth [[Rashidun caliph]] and the first [[Imamate in Shia doctrine|Shia Imam]]. [[Ali]] was struck during morning prayer on the 19th day of Ramadan, 40 [[Islamic calendar|AH]], and he died on the 21st day of the month. They engage in mourning and prayer on these nights, especially in [[Iran]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.irna.ir/news/82566641/%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B9-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%88%DA%AF-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B3%D8%AA |title = قم در سالروز شهادت امام علی(ع) به سوگ نشست |trans-title = Qom mourns on anniversary of Imam Ali's (AS) martyrdom|lang= fa|access-date = 27 February 2025}}
</ref>

=== Beginning ===
[[File:Ramadan100years1938-2037.png|thumb|Ramadan beginning dates between Gregorian years 1938 and 2038. ]]
Because the ''[[hilal (crescent moon)|hilāl]]'', or [[Lunar phase|crescent moon]], typically occurs approximately one day after the [[new moon]], Muslims can usually estimate the beginning of Ramadan;<ref>[http://www.hilalsighting.org/papers/salman.pdf Hilal Sighting & Islamic Dates: Issues and Solution Insha'Allaah] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206015307/http://www.hilalsighting.org/papers/salman.pdf |date=6 February 2009 }}. Hilal Sighting Committee of North America ([http://www.hilalsighting.org/ website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831043652/http://www.hilalsighting.org/ |date=31 August 2009 }}). Retrieved 19 August 2009.</ref> however, many Muslims prefer to confirm the opening of Ramadan by direct visual observation of the crescent.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2466-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-124.html |title= Sahih Bukhari&nbsp;– Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 124 |first= AbdAllah-Muhammad |last= Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail |work= hadithcollection.com |date= 28 January 2009 |access-date= 25 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120613040509/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2466-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-124.html |archive-date= 13 June 2012  }}</ref>

=== ''Laylat al-Qadr'' ===
{{Main|Night of Power}}

The ''Laylat al-Qadr'' ({{langx|ar|لیلة القدر}}) or "Night of Power" is the night that Muslims believe the Quran was first sent down to the world, and Muhammad received his first quranic revelation from it.  The night is considered to be the holiest night of the year.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Robinson | first = Neal | title = Islam: A Concise Introduction | publisher = Georgetown University Press | year = 1999 | location = Washington | isbn = 978-0-87840-224-3 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/islam00neal }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2465-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-125.html |title= Sahih Bukhari&nbsp;– Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 125 |first= AbdAllah-Muhammad |last= Ibn-Ismail-Bukhari |work= hadithcollection.com |access-date= 28 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170845/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2465-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-125.html |archive-date= 15 January 2013  }}</ref> It is generally believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last ten days of Ramadan; the [[Dawoodi Bohra]] believe that ''Laylat al-Qadr'' was the twenty-third night of Ramadan.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/65-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2032.%20Praying%20at%20Night%20In%20Ramadhan%20(Taraweeh)/2479-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-032-hadith-number-238.html |title= Sahih Bukhari&nbsp;– Book 032 (Praying at Night during Ramadhan), Hadith 238 |first= AbdAllah-Muhammad |last= Ibn-Ismail-Bukhari |work= hadithcollection.com |access-date= 28 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170922/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/65-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2032.%20Praying%20at%20Night%20In%20Ramadhan%20(Taraweeh)/2479-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-032-hadith-number-238.html |archive-date= 15 January 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10668-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2632.html |title= Sahih Muslim&nbsp;– Book 006 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 2632 |first= Abul-Hussain |last= Muslim-Ibn-Habaj |work= hadithcollection.com |access-date= 28 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170848/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10668-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2632.html |archive-date= 15 January 2013  }}</ref>

=== ''Eid'' ===
{{Main|Eid al-Fitr|Eid prayers}}
The holiday of ''Eid al-Fitr'' (Arabic: عيد الفطر), which marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of ''[[Shawwal]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eid al-Fitr in the United States|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/eid-al-fitr|access-date=2021-05-09|website=www.timeanddate.com|language=en}}</ref> the next lunar month, is declared after a crescent [[new moon]] has been sighted or after completion of thirty days of fasting if no sighting of the moon is possible. ''Eid'' celebrates the return to a more natural disposition (''fitra'') of eating, drinking, and [[intimacy|marital intimacy]].<ref name=EsinIslam>{{cite web |url= http://www.esinislam.com/Articles201009/WritersArticles_AdilSalahi_0911.htm |title= Ruling on Voluntary Fasting After The Month of Ramadan: Eid Day(s) And Ash-Shawaal |work= EsinIslam, Arab News & Information&nbsp;– By Adil Salahi |date= 11 September 2010 |access-date= 23 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160527052712/http://www.esinislam.com/Articles201009/WritersArticles_AdilSalahi_0911.htm |archive-date= 27 May 2016  }}</ref>

== Religious practices ==
[[File:Ramazan with the poor.jpg|thumb|[[Azim Azimzade]]. Ramadan of the poor people. 1938]]
The common practice is to fast from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the ''[[suhur]]'', while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is called ''[[iftar]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramadan|title=Ramadan|website=Britannica|date=7 June 2024 }}</ref>

Muslims devote more time to prayer and acts of charity, striving to improve their [[self-discipline]], motivated by hadith:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sunnah.com/bukhari/30/|title=Book of Fasting&nbsp;– Sahih al-Bukhari&nbsp;– Sunnah.com&nbsp;– Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610105330/http://sunnah.com/bukhari/30|archive-date=10 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hadithcollection.com/.../10999-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number%20-2361.html|title=Sahih Muslim Book 006, Hadith Number 2361.|work=Hadith Collection|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604202311/http://www.hadithcollection.com/.../10999-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number%20-2361.html|archive-date=4 June 2015}}</ref> "When Ramadan arrives, the gates of [[Paradise]] are opened and the [[gates of hell]] are locked up and devils are put in chains."<ref name=guardian>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/features/weekend/169233-muslims-observe-ramadan-clerics-explain-significance |archive-url= https://archive.today/20140718041849/http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/features/weekend/169233-muslims-observe-ramadan-clerics-explain-significance  |archive-date= 18 July 2014 |title= Muslims observe Ramadan, clerics explain significance |work= Guardian News, Nigeria |date= 4 July 2014 |access-date= 16 July 2014 }}</ref>

=== Fasting ===
{{Main|Fasting during Ramadan}}
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of [[Islam]]. The fast (''sawm'') begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims abstain from sexual relations<ref name="AlJazeera">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/ramadan-fasting-start-date-170427062743037.html|title=Ramadan to start May 27 or May 28|website=aljazeera.com/|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427152830/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/ramadan-fasting-start-date-170427062743037.html|archive-date=27 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and sinful speech and behaviour during Ramadan. Fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, and to [[Ritual purification|cleanse the soul]] by freeing it from harmful impurities. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/08/29/ramadhan_2008_feature.shtml Why Ramadan brings us together] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830190152/http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/08/29/ramadhan_2008_feature.shtml |date=30 August 2009 }}; ''[[BBC]]'', 1 September 2008</ref> sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (''[[zakat]]'').<ref name=WP>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702592_2.html?nav=rss_world Help for the Heavy at Ramadan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020200236/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702592_2.html?nav=rss_world |date=20 October 2016 }}, ''[[Washington Post]]'', 27 September 2008</ref>

Exemptions from fasting include those traveling, menstruating, severely ill, pregnant, or breastfeeding.<ref name=":0" /> Those unable to fast are obligated to make up the missed days later.<ref>{{qref|2|184|b=y}}</ref>

==== ''Suhur'' ====
{{Main|Suhur}}
[[File:Iftar in Istanbul Turkey.jpg|thumb|upright|''Iftar'' at the [[Sultan Ahmed Mosque]] in [[Istanbul]], Turkey]]
Each day before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the ''[[suhur]]''. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, [[Fajr]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10921-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2415.html |title= Sahih Muslim&nbsp;– Book 006 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 2415 |first= Abul-Hussain |last= Muslim-Ibn-Habaj |work= hadithcollection.com |year= 2009 |access-date= 25 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170800/http://www.hadithcollection.com/sahihmuslim/134-Sahih%20Muslim%20Book%2006.%20Fasting/10921-sahih-muslim-book-006-hadith-number-2415.html |archive-date= 15 January 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2446-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-144.html |title= Sahih Bukhari&nbsp;– Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 144 |first= AbdAllah-Muhammad |last= Ibn-Ismail-Bukhari |work= hadithcollection.com |year= 2009 |access-date= 25 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170927/http://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/64-Sahih%20Bukhari%20Book%2031.%20Fasting/2446-sahih-bukhari-volume-003-book-031-hadith-number-144.html |archive-date= 15 January 2013  }}</ref>

==== ''Iftar'' ====
{{Main|Iftar}}
[[File:Example of Ramadan iftar 2.jpg|alt=Picture of some of the dishes used in breaking Ramadan fast in Nigeria|thumb|Some dishes used in breaking Ramadan fast in Nigeria]]
At sunset, families break the fast with the ''[[iftar]]'', traditionally opening the meal by eating [[Phoenix dactylifera#Fruits|dates]] to commemorate Muhammad's practice of breaking the fast with three dates.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Oxford dictionary of Islam|date=2003|publisher=Oxford University Press|last=Esposito|first=John L.|isbn=0-19-512558-4|location=New York|oclc=50280143|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/oxforddictionary00bada}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Indrayani|first=Suharti|date=2018|title=How do Muslims consume dates?|url=http://www.pjmhsonline.com/2018/oct_dec/pdf/1732.pdf|journal=Pakistani Journal of Medical and Health Sciences|volume=12|pages=1732–1743|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728134336/http://www.pjmhsonline.com/2018/oct_dec/pdf/1732.pdf|archive-date=28 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> They then adjourn for [[Maghrib]], the fourth of the five required daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Muslims_fast_and_feast_as_Ramadan_begins.html?showFullArticle=y |title=Muslims fast and feast as Ramadan begins |first=Melissa |last=Fletcher Stoeltje |date=22 August 2009 |access-date=22 July 2012 |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]]}}</ref> 

Social gatherings, many times in [[buffet]] style, are frequent at ''iftar''. Traditional dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, particularly those made only during Ramadan.{{such as|date=July 2019}} Water is usually the beverage of choice, but juice and milk are also often available, as are soft drinks and caffeinated beverages.<ref name="dieticiannour">{{cite web |url=http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072709p56.shtml |title=Understanding Muslim Fasting Practices |first1=Dr. Nour |last1=El-Zibdeh |work=todaysdietitian.com |access-date=25 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731172803/http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072709p56.shtml |archive-date=31 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[Middle East]], ''iftar'' consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers; one or more main dishes; and rich desserts, with dessert considered the most important aspect of the meal.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Oxford companion to sugar and sweets|last=Goldstein, Darra|isbn=978-0-19-931361-7|location=Oxford|oclc=905969818|date = April 2015}}</ref> Typical main dishes include lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf. Desserts may include [[lokma]], [[baklava]] or [[knafeh]].<ref name="la">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-ramadan-20120721,0,1433650.story |title=Ramadan's high note is often a dip |first1=Faye |last1=Levy |first2=Yakir |last2=Levy |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=21 July 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722134003/http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-ramadan-20120721,0,1433650.story |archive-date=22 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Over time, the practice of ''iftar'' has evolved into banquets that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of diners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-08-08/news/fl-ramadan-food-20100808_1_iftar-fasting-muslims-hail |title=Ramadan: Muslims feast and fast during holy month |first=James D. |last=Davis |date=8 August 2010 |access-date=22 July 2012 |work=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706233740/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-08-08/news/fl-ramadan-food-20100808_1_iftar-fasting-muslims-hail |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque]] in [[Abu Dhabi]], the largest mosque in the [[UAE]], feeds up to thirty thousand people every night.<ref>{{cite news |title=Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque feeds 30,000 during Ramadan |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/10/abu-dhabi-s-grand-mosque-feeds-30-000-during-ramadan |access-date=11 May 2019 |agency=Euro News |publisher=euronews.com |date=10 May 2019}}</ref> 
[[File:Iftar Serving for fasting people in the holy shrine of Imam Reza 05 ().jpg|thumb|Iftar served for people fasting in the [[Imam Reza shrine]]]]

=== Charity ===
{{Main|Zakat|Sadaqah}}
[[File:Men praying in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|Men praying during Ramadan at the [[Shrine of Ali]] or "Blue Mosque" in [[Mazar-i-Sharif]], Afghanistan]]
[[File:Dan Hadani collection (990040387050205171).jpg|thumb|alt=A mass prayer during the 1996 Ramadan at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem|A mass prayer during the 1996 Ramadan at the [[Dome of the Rock]] in [[Jerusalem]]]]
''[[Zakat]]'', often translated as "the poor-rate", is the fixed percentage of income a believer is required to give to the poor; the practice is obligatory as one of the [[pillars of Islam]]. Muslims believe that good deeds are rewarded more handsomely during Ramadan than at any other time of the year; consequently, many Muslims donate a larger portion{{snd}}or even all{{snd}}of their yearly ''zakat'' during this month.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Why Ramadan Generates Millions in Charitable Giving Every Year |work=The New York Times |date=29 April 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/29/nyregion/ramadan-charitable-giving.html |access-date=2023-11-22 |last1=Stack |first1=Liam }}</ref>

=== Nightly prayers ===
{{Main|Tarawih}}

''[[Tarawih]]'' ({{langx|ar|تراويح}}) are extra nightly prayers performed during the month of Ramadan. Contrary to popular belief, they are not compulsory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamhelpline.com/qa/tarawih-prayer-nafl-or-sunnah|title=Tarawih Prayer a Nafl or Sunnah|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118190826/http://www.islamhelpline.com/qa/tarawih-prayer-nafl-or-sunnah|archive-date=18 November 2015}}</ref>

=== Recitation of the Quran ===
Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran, which comprises thirty ''[[juz']]'' (sections), over the thirty days of Ramadan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isra |date=2023-03-03 |title=Your Ramadan Quran Reading is Important |url=https://iqranetwork.com/blog/your-ramadan-quran-reading-is-important/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Learn Quran online, Arabic & Islamic Studies Online {{!}} IQRA Network |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Cultural practices ==
[[File:Sutakabab.JPG|thumb|A [[Kebab]] seller from Chwakbazar Iftar Market in [[Old Dhaka]]. The [[Chowk Bazaar]] neighborhood of Old Dhaka is famous for its century-old [[Iftar]] Bazar.]]
In some Islamic countries, lights (''[[fanous]]'') are strung up in public squares and across city streets,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://abcnews.go.com/International/slideshow/muslims-begin-fasting-start-ramadan-holy-month-16822614 |title= Muslims begin fasting for Ramadan|work= [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date= 18 July 2012 |access-date= 6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721093053/https://abcnews.go.com/International/slideshow/muslims-begin-fasting-start-ramadan-holy-month-16822614 |archive-date=2012-07-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/the-spirit-of-ramadan-is-here-but-why-is-it-still-so-dark |title= The spirit of Ramadan is here, but why is it still so dark? |author= Taryam Al Subaihi |date= 29 July 2012 |work= The National |access-date= 30 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120731232232/http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/the-spirit-of-ramadan-is-here-but-why-is-it-still-so-dark |archive-date= 31 July 2012 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://shine.yahoo.com/decorate-ramadan-175400368.html |title= How to decorate for Ramadan |first= Sylvia |last= Cochran |work= Yahoo-Shine|date= 8 August 2011 |access-date= 6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115184556/http://shine.yahoo.com/decorate-ramadan-175400368.html |archive-date=2013-01-15 }}</ref> a tradition believed to have originated during the [[Fatimid Caliphate]], where the rule of [[Caliph]] [[al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah]] was acclaimed by people holding lanterns.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/features/2015/06/19/Ramadan-is-here-light-up-your-lanterns.html |title=How did the Ramadan lantern become a symbol of the holy month? |last=Harrison |first=Peter |date=2016-06-09 |work=[[Al Arabiya]] |access-date=2019-05-06 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On the island of [[Java]], many believers bathe in holy springs to prepare for fasting, a ritual known as ''Padusan''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://jakartaglobe.id/vision/this-is-how-indonesia-welcomes-ramadan |title=This Is How Indonesia Welcomes Ramadan |date=2019-05-04 |work=[[Jakarta Globe]] |access-date=2019-05-06 |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411011740/http://jakartaglobe.id/vision/this-is-how-indonesia-welcomes-ramadan|url-status=live}}</ref> The city of [[Semarang]] marks the beginning of Ramadan with the Dugderan carnival, which involves parading the [[warak ngendog]], a horse-dragon hybrid creature allegedly inspired by the [[Buraq]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.matasejarah.com/2016/07/tradisi-dugderan-di-kota-semarang.html |title=Tradisi Dugderan di Kota Semarang|work=Mata Sejarah |access-date=18 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412143319/http://www.matasejarah.com/2016/07/tradisi-dugderan-di-kota-semarang.html |archive-date=12 April 2017  |language=id |last1=Sejarah |first1=Mata }}</ref> In the Chinese-influenced capital city of [[Jakarta]], firecrackers are widely used to celebrate Ramadan, although they are officially illegal.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/19/world/jakarta-journal-it-s-ramadan-school-is-out-quick-the-earplugs.html |title=Jakarta Journal; It's Ramadan. School Is Out. Quick, the Earplugs! |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=2000-12-19 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2019-05-06 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506171434/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/19/world/jakarta-journal-it-s-ramadan-school-is-out-quick-the-earplugs.html |archive-date=6 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Towards the end of Ramadan, most employees receive a one-month bonus known as ''Tunjangan Hari Raya''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://emerhub.com/indonesia/thr/ |title=Understanding the Religious Holiday Allowance THR in Indonesia |date=2018-12-06 |website=Emerhub |access-date=2019-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506171442/https://emerhub.com/indonesia/thr/ |archive-date=6 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Certain kinds of food are especially popular during Ramadan, such as large beef or buffalo in [[Aceh]] and snails in [[Central Java]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/07/07/on-hunt-delectable-snacks.html |title=On the hunt for delectable snacks |last1=Maryono |first1=Agus |date=2014-07-07 |work=[[The Jakarta Post]] |access-date=2019-05-06 |last2=Endi |first2=Severianus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506171437/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/07/07/on-hunt-delectable-snacks.html |archive-date=6 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[iftar]] meal is announced every evening by striking the [[bedug]], a giant drum, in the mosque.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ramadan-2016/ramadan-news/diverse-traditions-that-welcome-the-holy-month-in-indonesia |title=Diverse traditions that welcome the holy month in Indonesia |last=Saifudeen |first=Yousuf |date=2016-06-12 |work=[[Khaleej Times]] |access-date=2019-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506171433/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ramadan-2016/ramadan-news/diverse-traditions-that-welcome-the-holy-month-in-indonesia |archive-date=6 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Common greetings during Ramadan include ''Ramadan mubarak'' and ''Ramadan kareem'', which mean (have a) "blessed Ramadan" and "generous Ramadan" respectively.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/15/ramadan-2015-facts-dates_n_7554256.html Ramadan 2015: Facts, History, Dates, Greeting And Rules About The Muslim Fast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710084438/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/15/ramadan-2015-facts-dates_n_7554256.html |date=10 July 2015 }}, [[Huffington Post]], 15 June 2015</ref>

During Ramadan in the Middle East, a ''mesaharati'' beats a drum across a neighbourhood to wake people up to eat the suhoor meal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=El-Shamma |first=Mohammed |date=2019-05-06 |title=Mesaharati: An ancient career fights extinction in digital age |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1493021/middle-east |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> Similarly in Southeast Asia, the ''kentongan'' [[slit drum]] is used for the same purpose.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-23 |title=Ramadan 2020: Unique and bizarre Ramzan practices |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/ramadan-2020-unique-and-bizarre-ramzan-practices-around-the-world/story-QHSy9bUPdvE5XBVjOBjgsM.html |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

Ramadan attracts significant increases in television viewership, as the usual [[prime time]] hours coincide with the ''iftar'', and are commonly extended into the [[Late-night television|late-night]] hours to coincide with the s''uhur''. Broadcasters in the Arab world traditionally premiere [[Serial (radio and television)|serial]] [[Drama (film and television)|dramas]] known as [[Arab television drama|''musalsal'']] during Ramadan; they are similar in style to Latin American [[telenovela]]s, and are typically around 30 episodes in length so that they run over the length of the month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Ramadan is a TV executive's dream in the Middle East |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/ramadan-tradition-tv-1.6811096 |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=CBC Radio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-17 |title=Ramadan TV: Your ultimate guide to the best of the month's television programmes |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/tv/ramadan-tv-your-ultimate-guide-to-the-best-of-the-months-television-programmes-1.1050028 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nyt-iton2">{{cite web |date=November 23, 2003 |title=Ideas & Trends: Ramadan Nights; Traditions Old (Fasting) and New (Soap Operas) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/23/weekinreview/ideas-trends-ramadan-nights-traditions-old-fasting-and-new-soap-operas.html |work=New York Times}}</ref> Advertisers in the region have considered Ramadan to be comparable to the [[Super Bowl]] on U.S. television in terms of impact and importance; the cost of a 30-second commercial in peak time during Ramadan is usually more than double than normal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrington |first=Daisy |date=2013-07-29 |title=Ramadan acts as 'Super Bowl for adverts' in the Middle East |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/29/world/meast/ramadan-television-adverts/index.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref name="gn-rtv2">{{cite web |date=July 17, 2012 |title=Ramadan TV: Your ultimate guide to the best of the month's television programmes |url=http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/television/ramadan-tv-your-ultimate-guide-to-the-best-of-the-month-s-television-programmes-1.1050028 |publisher=Gulf News}}</ref> 

{{Gallery
|File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Oproep tot het gebed op vrijdag via de trom bij de moskee Tulehu TMnr 20018271.jpg|Striking the [[bedug]] in Indonesia
|File:هلال رمضان.jpg|A decorated and illuminated crescent statue in [[Jordan]]
|File:زينة رمضان في أسواق القدس.jpg|Ramadan in the Old City of [[Jerusalem]]
|File:Lanterns from below.JPG|[[Fanous Ramadan]] decorations in [[Cairo]], Egypt
|Ramadan decorations. Jerusalem by night 045 - Aug 2011.jpg|Ramadan decorations in [[Jerusalem]]
}}

== Observance ==
{{hijri_to_gregorian_calendar.svg}}According to a 2012 [[Pew Research Centre]] study, there was widespread Ramadan observance, with a median of 93 percent across the thirty-nine countries and territories studied.<ref name="prc">{{cite web|title=Most Muslims say they fast during Ramadan|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/07/09/global-median-of-93-of-muslims-say-they-fast-during-ramadan/|website=Pew Research Center|access-date=14 November 2017|date=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114145215/http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/07/09/global-median-of-93-of-muslims-say-they-fast-during-ramadan/|archive-date=14 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Regions with high percentages of fasting among Muslims include [[Southeast Asia]], [[South Asia]], [[Middle East and North Africa]], [[Horn of Africa]] and most of [[Sub-Saharan Africa]].<ref name="prc" /> Percentages are lower in [[Central Asia]] and [[Southeast Europe]].<ref name="prc" />

=== Ramadan in polar regions ===
{{Main|Islamic views on fasting in the polar regions}}
The length of the dawn to sunset time varies in different parts of the world according to summer or winter solstices of the Sun. Most Muslims fast for eleven to sixteen hours during Ramadan. However, in polar regions, the period between dawn and sunset may exceed twenty-two hours in summer. For example, in 2014, Muslims in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Trondheim, Norway, fasted almost twenty-two hours, while Muslims in Sydney, Australia, fasted for only about eleven hours. In areas characterized by continuous night or day, some Muslims follow the fasting schedule observed in the nearest city that experiences sunrise and sunset, while others follow Mecca time.<ref name="Ramadan2014">See article [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ramadan-fasting-times_n_5537721 "How Long Muslims Fast For Ramadan Around The World"] -Huffpost.com /31 July 2014 and article "Fasting Hours of Ramadan 2014" -Onislam.net / 29 June 2014 and article "The true spirit of Ramadan" -Gulfnews.com /31 July 2014</ref><ref name="ottawacitizen">See article by Imam Mohamad Jebara [https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/jebara-the-fasting-of-ramadan-is-not-meant-to-punish "The fasting of Ramadan is not meant to punish"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507015923/https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/jebara-the-fasting-of-ramadan-is-not-meant-to-punish|date=7 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="ArcticRamadan">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/03/ramadan-canada-arctic-fasting-hours-sunlight|title=Arctic Ramadan: fasting in land of midnight sun comes with a challenge|last=Kassam|first=Ashifa|date=3 July 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=6 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707050659/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/03/ramadan-canada-arctic-fasting-hours-sunlight|archive-date=7 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ramadan in Earth orbit===
As sunrise and sunset occur sixteen times each a day in low-Earth orbit, [[List of Muslim astronauts|Muslim astronauts]] in space schedule religious practices around the time zone of the last place on Earth they were on. For example, this means an astronaut from Malaysia launching from the [[Kennedy Space Center]] in Florida would center their fast according to sunrise and sunset times in Cape Canaveral, in Florida's [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]]. This includes times for daily prayers, as well as sunset and sunrise for Ramadan.<ref>''A Guideline of Performing ''Ibadah'' at the International Space Station (ISS)''</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/magazine/09interstellar.html|title=Interstellar Ramadan|last=Donadio|first=Rachel|date=2007-12-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-05|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Laws ==
In some [[List of Muslim majority countries|Muslim countries]], eating in public during daylight hours in Ramadan is a [[crime]].<ref name="Ramadan 2019: 9 questions about the Muslim holy month you were too embarrassed to ask">{{cite web|title=Ramadan 2019: 9 questions about the Muslim holy month you were too embarrassed to ask|url= https://www.vox.com/2017/5/25/11851766/what-is-ramadan-2019-start-date-muslim-islam-about|publisher= Vox|date= 6 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Breaking Pakistan's Ramadan Fasting Laws Has Serious Consequences">{{cite news|title=Breaking Pakistan's Ramadan Fasting Laws Has Serious Consequences|newspaper= NPR.org|url= https://www.npr.org/2018/05/25/614315937/breaking-pakistan-s-ramadan-fasting-laws-have-serious-consequences|publisher= NPR}}</ref><ref name="Break down by region">{{cite web|title=Not so fast! Ramadan laws in Arab countries make you think twice before digging in|url= https://www.albawaba.com/slideshow/not-so-fast-ramadan-laws-these-arab-countries-will-make-you-think-twice-digging-709066|publisher= Albawaba News}}</ref> The sale of alcohol becomes prohibited during Ramadan in [[Egypt]].<ref>"[http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/48444/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-tourism-minister-confirms-alcohol-prohibiti.aspx Egypt's tourism minister 'confirms' alcohol prohibition on Islamic holidays beyond Ramadan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811064259/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/48444/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-tourism-minister-confirms-alcohol-prohibiti.aspx |date=11 August 2013 }}," ''[[Al-Ahram]]'', 22 July 2012.</ref> The penalty for publicly eating, drinking or smoking during Ramadan can result in fines or incarceration in the countries of [[Kuwait]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.moi.gov.kw/portal/vEnglish/pressrel.asp?objectid=%7B220CBBC3-8EA9-4835-A491-C368B0689E55%7D&catid=%7B506BD210-2218-41DE-9648-30A1C3AAD0F6%7D&year=&relid=%7B57BF4B27-AAFB-4F61-9065-B013FA96A464%7D |title=Press release by Kuwait Ministry Of Interior |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009151115/https://www.moi.gov.kw/portal/vEnglish/pressrel.asp?objectid=%7B220CBBC3-8EA9-4835-A491-C368B0689E55%7D&catid=%7B506BD210-2218-41DE-9648-30A1C3AAD0F6%7D&year=&relid=%7B57BF4B27-AAFB-4F61-9065-B013FA96A464%7D |archive-date=9 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = KD 100 fine, one month prison for public eating, drinking | newspaper = Friday Times | publisher = Kuwait Times Newspaper | date = 21 August 2009 | url = http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTE3NDM5MzY5NA | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200107124956/http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTE3NDM5MzY5NA  | archive-date = 7 January 2020 | access-date = 17 November 2009 }}</ref> [[Saudi Arabia]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: Taking it to heart|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21700396-kingdom-treats-holy-month-more-seriously-anywhere-else-taking-it|access-date=11 June 2016|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210452/http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21700396-kingdom-treats-holy-month-more-seriously-anywhere-else-taking-it|archive-date=10 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ramadan warning for expats in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/9422969/Ramadan-warning-for-expats-in-Saudi-Arabia.html |website=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=11 March 2019 |date=24 July 2012 |last1=Hyslop |first1=Leah |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011822/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/9422969/Ramadan-warning-for-expats-in-Saudi-Arabia.html |archive-date=20 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/jul/10/ramadan-numbers Ramadan in numbers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512000111/https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/jul/10/ramadan-numbers |date=12 May 2017 }}, 10 July 2013, ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> [[Morocco]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-06 |title=Morocco's Penal Code and Public Eating in Ramadan |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/06/188332/moroccos-penal-code-and-public-eating-in-ramadan |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=moroccoworldnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Latrech |first=Oumaima |date=2022-04-27 |title=Ramadan: 80 Moroccans Arrested for Publicly Eating in Casablanca |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/04/348649/ramadan-80-moroccans-arrested-for-publicly-eating-in-casablanca |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=moroccoworldnews.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Algeria]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Algerians jailed for breaking Ramadan fast |url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/10/07/57856.html |work=Al Arabiya News |date=7 October 2008  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211144838/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/10/07/57856.html |archive-date=11 December 2008 }}</ref> and [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://poskod.my/features/ramadan-fasting-fines-malaysia/ |title=The Hard and Fast Rules of Ramadan |work=Poskod Malaysia |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414081040/https://poskod.my/features/ramadan-fasting-fines-malaysia/ |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=live |date=14 July 2015 }}</ref> In the [[United Arab Emirates]], the punishment is community service.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Salama | first = Samir | title = New penalty for minor offences in UAE | newspaper = Gulf News | location = Dubai, UAE | publisher = Al Nisr Publishing LLC | date = 16 July 2009 | url = http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/new-penalty-for-minor-offences-in-uae-1.492892 | access-date = 17 November 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100301171003/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/new-penalty-for-minor-offences-in-uae-1.492892 | archive-date = 1 March 2010  }}</ref>

In some countries, on the contrary, the observance of Ramadan has been restricted by governments. In the [[USSR]], the practice of Ramadan was suppressed by officials.<ref>{{cite book|title=When Economies Change Paths: Models of Transition in China, the Central Asian Republics, Myanmar & the Nations of Former Indochine Française|page=162|author= Leo Paul Dana}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Former Soviet Union's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook|page=133|author=James Minahan}}</ref> In Albania, Ramadan festivities were banned during the communist period.<ref>{{cite book|title=Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|page=165}}</ref> However, many Albanians continued to fast secretly during this period.<ref>{{cite news|title=In Albania, Ramadan under lockdown revives memories of communism|date=2020-04-25 |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1664866/world|publisher=[[Arab News]]}}</ref>

China is reported to have banned Ramadan fasting for officials, students, and teachers in [[Xinjiang]] since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cagnassola |first=Mary Ellen |date=2021-05-06 |title=170 mosques destroyed in China's Xinjiang crackdown, Australian think tank says |url=https://www.newsweek.com/170-mosques-destroyed-chinas-xinjiang-crackdown-australian-think-tank-says-1589240 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220317141748/https://www.newsweek.com/170-mosques-destroyed-chinas-xinjiang-crackdown-australian-think-tank-says-1589240 |archive-date=17 March 2022 |website=[[Newsweek]] |language=en |access-date=17 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2012-08-01 |title=China region bans Muslims from fasting during Ramadan |work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]], [[Agence France Presse]] |url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/china-region-bans-muslims-from-fasting-during-ramadan-1.405759}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=China bans Muslims from fasting Ramadan in Xinjiang |work=[[Al-Jazeera English]], [[Agence France Presse]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/china-bans-ramadan-fasting-muslim-region-150618070016245.html}}</ref> [[Radio Free Asia]] alleges that residents in [[Kashgar Prefecture]] are compelled to film proof of eating for officials and are encouraged to report those who fasted to the authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/fasting-05142020144511.html|title=Residents of Uyghur-Majority County in Xinjiang Ordered to Report Others Fasting During Ramadan|date=14 May 2020|access-date=17 May 2020|website=[[Radio Free Asia]]|author=[[Shohret Hoshur]] |author2=Joshua Lipes |translator=Elise Anderson, Alim Seytoff}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoshur |first=Shohret |author-link=Shohret Hoshur |date=2025-03-18 |title=China forces Uyghurs to show video proof they are not fasting during Ramadan |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/uyghur/2025/03/18/uyghur-ramadan-fasting-proof/ |work=[[Radio Free Asia]]}}</ref> The ban has been denied by Chinese diplomats<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-07 |title=Come see China Muslim culture for yourselves, embassy says |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/475244 |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=[[Malaysiakini]]}}</ref> and Muslim associations in Xinjiang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. Irfan Ilmie, Atman Ahdiat |date=2021-03-18 |title=Uighur Muslim Community invites global media to witness Ramadan rituals |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/2050526/komunitas-muslim-uighur-undang-media-global-saksikan-ritual-ramadhan |website=[[Antara News]] |language=id}}</ref> [[Antara (news agency)|Antara News]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-14 |title=Muslims in Xinjiang begin Ramadan |url=https://www.jawapos.com/hijrah-ramadan/14/04/2021/umat-muslim-di-xinjiang-mulai-menjalankan-puasa-ramadan/ |website=[[Jawa Pos]], [[Antara News]] |language=id}}</ref> [[Daily Times (Pakistan)|''Daily Times'']],<ref>{{Cite web |last=S M Hali |date=2019-12-13 |title=Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 — a harsh step |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/519333/uyghur-human-rights-policy-act-of-2019-a-harsh-step/ |website=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''[[Pakistan Today]]'' have also brought up accounts of residents in Xinjiang fasting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2016 |title=No restriction over Muslims to observe Ramzan in Xinjiang: JI spokesperson |url=https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/07/02/no-restriction-over-muslims-to-observe-ramzan-in-xinjiang-ji-spokesperson/ |website=[[Pakistan Today]] |language=en-GB |access-date=17 March 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703091525/https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/07/02/no-restriction-over-muslims-to-observe-ramzan-in-xinjiang-ji-spokesperson/  }}</ref> According to a 2024 visit to Xinjiang by a reporter from the British magazine The Economist, many Uyghurs do not fast during Ramadan because, according to locals, "the Chinese government guarantees freedom of religion".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/china/2024/04/11/what-ramadan-is-like-in-xinjiang|title=What Ramadan is like in Xinjiang|newspaper=The Economist |accessdate=1 March 2025}}</ref>

== Employment during Ramadan ==
Muslims continue to work during Ramadan;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/ramadan-2019-important-muslims-190505145156499.html|title=Ramadan 2019: Why is it so important for Muslims?|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/supporting-muslim-colleagues-during-ramadan|title=Supporting Muslim colleagues during Ramadan|last=Gilfillan|first=Scott|date=2019-05-03|website=TUC|language=en|access-date=2019-08-06}}</ref> however, in some countries, such as Oman and Lebanon, working hours are shortened.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://timesofoman.com/article/36340/Oman/-Ramadan-working-hours-announced-in-Oman |title= Ramadan working hours announced in Oman |work= Times of Oman |date= 22 June 2014 |access-date= 17 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160624185407/http://timesofoman.com/article/36340/Oman/-Ramadan-working-hours-announced-in-Oman |archive-date= 24 June 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://timesofoman.com/article/53294/Ramadan/Ramadan-working-hours-for-muslims-working-during-the-Holy-Month-announced-for-public-and-private-sec |title= Ramadan working hours announced for public and private sectors |work= Times of Oman |date= 10 June 2015 |access-date= 17 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160624222635/http://timesofoman.com/article/53294/Ramadan/Ramadan-working-hours-for-muslims-working-during-the-Holy-Month-announced-for-public-and-private-sec |archive-date= 24 June 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref> It is often recommended that working Muslims inform their employers if they are fasting, given the potential for the observance to impact performance at work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.workingmuslim.com/RamadanEmployeeGuide.pdf|title=The Working Muslim in Ramadan|publisher=Working Muslim|year=2011|access-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007181131/http://www.workingmuslim.com/RamadanEmployeeGuide.pdf|archive-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> The extent to which Ramadan observers are protected by [[reasonable accommodation|religious accommodation]] varies by country. Policies putting them at a disadvantage compared to other employees have been met with discrimination claims in the United Kingdom and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lewissilkinemployment.com/en-gb/insights-knowledge/insights-knowledge/a/knowledge/ramadan-employment-issues/|title=Lewis Silkin&nbsp;– Ramadan&nbsp;– employment issues|author=Lewis Silkin|date=26 April 2016|work=lewissilkinemployment.com|access-date=1 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803075543/http://www.lewissilkinemployment.com/en-gb/insights-knowledge/insights-knowledge/a/knowledge/ramadan-employment-issues/|archive-date=3 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.findlaw.com/free_enterprise/2014/06/reasonable-accommodations-for-ramadan-lessons-from-2-eeoc-cases.html|title=Reasonable Accommodations for Ramadan? Lessons From 2 EEOC Cases|work=Free Enterprise|date=27 June 2014|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707224349/http://blogs.findlaw.com/free_enterprise/2014/06/reasonable-accommodations-for-ramadan-lessons-from-2-eeoc-cases.html|archive-date=7 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/8-6-10a.cfm|title=EEOC And Electrolux Reach Settlement in Religious Accommodation Charge Brought By Muslim Employees|work=eeoc.gov|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701194730/http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/8-6-10a.cfm|archive-date=1 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> An [[Arab News]] article reported that [[Saudi Arabia]]n businesses were unhappy with shorter working hours during Ramadan, some reporting a decline in productivity of 35–50%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hasan |first1=Rumy |title=The costs of Ramadan need to be counted |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2015/jul/03/cost-ramadan-counted-muslim-fasting-month |work=The Guardian |date=3 July 2015 }}</ref> The Saudi businesses proposed awarding salary bonuses in order to incentivize longer hours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/news/458892|title=Businesses want more working hours in Ramadan|date=23 July 2013|website=Arab News|accessdate=1 March 2025}}</ref> Despite the reduction in productivity, merchants can enjoy higher profit margins in Ramadan due to increase in demand.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Erin |title=The Ramadan Productivity Drop And How To Overcome It |url=https://indonesiaexpat.biz/business-property/ramadan-productivity-drop-overcome/ |work=Indonesia Expat |date=19 June 2017 }}</ref>

Some countries impose modified work schedules. In the UAE, [[Qatar]], [[Oman]], [[Bahrain]] and [[Kuwait]], employees may work no more than six hours per day and thirty-six hours per week.<ref>[http://www.dlapiper.com/files/Publication/2cde821c-0999-49a7-a472-7b198caeb169/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/588752a7-2159-4538-8938-7da1610c0faa/DLA_Piper_Middle_East_Be_Alert_Ramadan.pdf Employment Issues During Ramadan&nbsp;– The Gulf Region]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, DLA Piper Middle East.</ref>

== Health effects ==
There are various health effects of fasting in Ramadan. Ramadan fasting is considered safe for healthy individuals; it may pose risks for individuals with certain pre-existing conditions. Most Islamic scholars hold that fasting is not required for those who are ill. Additionally, the elderly and pre-pubertal children are exempt from fasting.<ref name=exemption>{{cite journal|title=Muslim patients in Ramadan: A review for primary care physicians|journal=Avicenna J Med|year=2017|volume=7|issue=3|pmc=5525471|last1=Abolaban|first1=H.|last2=Al-Moujahed|first2=A.|pages=81–87|doi=10.4103/ajm.AJM_76_17|pmid=28791239 |doi-access=free  |issn = 2231-0770}}</ref> Pregnant or lactating women are also exempt from fasting during Ramadan.<ref>{{cite book|title=Al Siyam, "Fasting"| author=El-Bahay El-Kholi|publisher=The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, [[Arab Republic of Egypt]]|page=36}}</ref> There are known health risks involved in pregnant women who fast, which include the potential of [[induced labour]] and [[gestational diabetes]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Glazier |first1=JD |last2=Hayes |first2=DJL |last3=Hussain |first3=S |last4=D'Souza |first4=SW |last5=Whitcombe |first5=J |last6=Heazell |first6=AEP |last7=Ashton |first7=N |title=The effect of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy on perinatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. |journal=BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |date=25 October 2018 |volume=18 |issue=1 |page=421 |doi=10.1186/s12884-018-2048-y |pmid=30359228|pmc=6202808 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=preg>{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-416045-3.00022-4 |chapter=Obesity, Polycystic Ovaries and Impaired Reproductive Outcome |title=Obesity |year=2013 |last1=Balani |first1=Jyoti |last2=Hyer |first2=Stephen |last3=Wagner |first3=Marion |last4=Shehata |first4=Hassan |pages=289–298 |isbn=978-0-12-416045-3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mirghani |first1=HM |last2=Hamud |first2=OA |title=The effect of maternal diet restriction on pregnancy outcome. |journal=American Journal of Perinatology |date=January 2006 |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=21–24 |doi=10.1055/s-2005-923435 |pmid=16450268|s2cid=260001799 }}</ref>

There are some health benefits of fasting in Ramadan including increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin resistance.<ref>Shariatpanahi, Z. Vahdat, et al. "Effect of Ramadan fasting on some indices of insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in healthy male adults." ''British Journal of Nutrition'' 100.1 (2008): 147–151.</ref>  It has also been shown that there is a significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, BMI and waist circumference in subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease.<ref>Nematy, Mohsen, et al. "Effects of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors: a prospective observational study." Nutrition journal 11.1 (2012): 69.</ref> The fasting period is usually associated with modest weight loss, but weight can return afterwards.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Sadeghirad B, Motaghipisheh S, Kolahdooz F, Zahedi MJ, Haghdoost AA |title=Islamic fasting and weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=Public Health Nutr |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=396–406 |year=2014 |pmid=23182306 |doi=10.1017/S1368980012005046 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |pmc=10282472 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

In many cultures, it is associated with heavy food and water intake during [[Suhur]] and [[Iftar]] times, which may do more harm than good.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Should your water intake change during Ramadan?|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/should-your-water-intake-change-during-ramadan-1.63675339|access-date=2021-05-09|website=gulfnews.com|date=5 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Ramadan fasting is safe for healthy people provided that overall food and water intake is adequate but those with medical conditions should seek medical advice if they encounter health problems before or during fasting.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Azizi F |title=Islamic fasting and health |journal=Ann. Nutr. Metab. |volume=56 |issue=4 |pages=273–282 |year=2010 |pmid=20424438 |doi=10.1159/000295848 |s2cid=13428042 }}</ref>

The education departments of [[Berlin]] and the [[United Kingdom]] have tried to discourage students from fasting during Ramadan, as they claim that not eating or drinking can lead to concentration problems and bad grades.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Espinoza |first1=Javier |title=Schools say Muslim students 'should break Ramadan fast' to avoid bad grades |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/06/03/schools-say-muslim-students-should-break-ramadan-fast-to-avoid-b/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/06/03/schools-say-muslim-students-should-break-ramadan-fast-to-avoid-b/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Telegraph |date=3 June 2016 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Islam und Schule: Handreichung für Lehrerinnen und Lehrer an Berliner Schulen |series=Bildung für Berlin : Politische Bildung |date=2010 |publisher=Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin ZLB. Senatsbibliothek |oclc=824393822 |language=de |url=https://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:109-opus-95998 }}</ref>

A review of the literature by an Iranian group suggested fasting during Ramadan might produce [[renal injury]] in patients with moderate ([[Glomerular filtration rate|GFR]] <60 ml/min) or severe [[kidney disease]] but was not injurious to [[renal transplant]] patients with good function or most [[Kidney stone disease|stone-forming]] patients.<ref name="renal diseases mini review">{{cite journal | title=Ramadan fasting and patients with renal diseases: A mini review of the literature |vauthors=Emami-Naini A, Roomizadeh P, Baradaran A, Abedini A, Abtahi M | journal=J Res Med Sci |date=August 2013 | volume=18 | issue=8 | pages=711–716 | pmid=24379850 | issn=1735-1995 | publisher=Official Journal of [[Isfahan University of Medical Sciences]] | pmc=3872613}}</ref>

A study on 55 professional Algerian soccer players showed that performance during Ramadan declined significantly for speed, agility, dribbling speed and endurance, and most stayed low 2 weeks after the conclusion of Ramadan.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zerguini |first1=Yacine |last2=Kirkendall |first2=Donald |last3=Junge |first3=Astrid |last4=Dvorak |first4=Jiri |title=Impact of Ramadan on physical performance in professional soccer players |journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine |date=1 June 2007 |volume=41 |issue=6 |pages=398–400 |doi=10.1136/bjsm.2006.032037 |pmid=17224435 |pmc=2465333 |url=https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/41/6/398.abstract |language=en |issn=0306-3674}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Fasting and abstinence of the Coptic Orthodox Church]]
* [[Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates]]
* [[Table of Mercy]]
* [[Shravana (month)|Shraavana]]
* [[Yaqazah]]

== References ==
=== Notes ===
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===Citations===
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
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* [http://www.ramadhan.org.uk/ Complete Guide to Ramadhan including Rules, Duas, Itikaaf, Laylatul Qadr, Sadaqatul Fitr etc. ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150515011523/http://www.nestle-family.com/my%2Dramadan/ramadan%2Darticles/english/ Articles on Ramadan] (archived 15 May 2015)
* [https://www.islamicfinder.org/ramadan/ Ramadan news and articles]

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[[Category:Ramadan| ]]
[[Category:Islamic holy days]]
[[Category:Fasting in Islam]]
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[[Category:Shia days of remembrance]]