Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the Holy Month of fasting and this year it will run from March 23 to April 22. Allah laid out the five pillars of Islam as follows: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj. Swam (fasting) is the pillar practiced in Ramadan. The name stems from the Arabic root ‘ar-ramad,’ which means scorching heat. The start and end dates of Ramadan vary annually because the timing is based on the appearance of the crescent moon. This also means that different countries may have different start and end dates. The Islamic year is shorter than the Gregorian year, which means Ramadan begins 10 –12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle.

History of Ramadan Begins

Ramadan was already a known month of the calendar even before Prophet Muhammad’s mission. Naturally, fasting the Month had not yet been made obligatory then. It only happened in year 2 A.H, after 15 years of the Prophet’s mission. However, Ramadan actually marks the beginning of the Prophet’s mission. On a very special blessed night, Angel Jibreel revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad for the first time. That is Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree).This blessed night lies in the final ten nights of Ramadan. The specific night among the ten changes every Ramadan. Allah took away the Prophet’s knowledge of that night as people quarreled as he was about to inform them. Additionally, this Night is better than a thousand months. This means the good deeds on this night exceed those of 83 years. As Allah, may He be exalted, says: “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” Chapter (97) sūrat l-qadr (The Night of Decree): 3.This Month is a time of fasting, prayer in the mosque, and reciting the Quran. During Ramadan, Allah forgives sins and, frees people from the Hellfire every night. Muslims will gather in their homes or mosques with their friends and extended family after the sunset prayer to break their fast. This meal is called Iftar. The meal that precedes dawn before the start of fasting is called Suhoor. So, fasting extends from Suhoor to Iftar. After Ramadan comes Eid al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast-Breaking), which signals the end of fasting. It lasts for three days during which Muslims show delight. They gather to enjoy each other’s company, check on their relatives, and exchange happiness. There is also the special prayer of Eid on the first day.

Ramadan Begins timeline

570 A.D
The Prophet’s Birth

Prophet Muhammad is born.

610 A.D
The Mission Given

The Quran is first revealed to Prophet Muhammad by angel Jibreel.

622 A.D
The Islamic Calendar

The lunar Islamic calendar begins.

622 A.D
The Prophet Completes Hijra

Prophet Muhammad completes his Hijra (Migration) from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution.

624 A.D
Fasting Enjoined

Allah makes fasting during Ramadan obligatory.

Ramadan Begins FAQs

How does Ramadan start?

Ramadan begins when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted.

What are the fasting rules for Ramadan?

The rule for fasting during Ramadan is to abstain from all food or drink, including water, from dawn to sunset.

What are the three parts of Ramadan?

The three stages are the first ten days or the Mercy of Allah, the second ten days or the Forgiveness of Allah, and the final ten days or the Freedom from Hellfire.

How to Observe Ramadan Begins

  1. Join in the fasting

    Fast from sunrise to sunset. You can be exempt if you are ill, traveling, or menstruating.

  2. Pay Zakat al-fitr (Fitrana)

    Donate money to a charity or give to those who are less fortunate. This is at the heart of Ramadan.

  3. Research on Ramadan

    There’s still a lot to know about this beautiful month. Research it as much as you can. Make sure to use trustworthy sources.

5 Facts About Ramadan

  1. Children don't fast

    Children don’t need to fast until they come of age (Buloogh).

  2. Niyyah is needed

    Muslims must have niyyah (intention) in their hearts to fast Ramadan; unless the fast is interrupted for a day or more due to a permissible reason, resolving once at the beginning of the Month is enough.

  3. Make up on missed days

    If you cannot fast, you can make up for missed days later in the year. If you are ill with no hope of recovery and can’t make up, provide a meal to a needy person for each missed day.

  4. Track prayer times

    Some apps help you know the exact time for prayers as well as Suhoor and Iftar in case you are traveling.

  5. Businesses close early

    During Ramadan, many offices and schools in Muslim-majority countries close early.

Why Ramadan Begins is Important

  1. It is a blessed month

    Ramadan is a time for reflection and connecting with Allah. It is a time for mercy, the forgiveness of sins, and freedom from hellfire.

  2. Generosity and giving

    People give Zakat to the poor. This encourages a culture of giving and generosity. One such example is Mawa'ed Al-Rahman (charity Iftar tables).

  3. Self-restraint

    Fasting in Ramadan teaches us self-restraint. This is a skill everyone needs to become a better person.

Ramadan Begins dates

Year Date Day
2022 May 24 Tuesday
2023 March 23 Thursday
2024 March 11 Monday
2025 March 1 Saturday
2026 February 18 Wednesday
World Compliment Day
National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
St. David's Day
National Pig Day
Baby Sleep Day
Self-Injury Awareness Day
National Wedding Planning Day
Share a Smile Day
National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day
Independence Movement Day
World Music Therapy Day
National Dadgum That's Good Day
Refired Not Retired Day
Yap Day
World Civil Defense Day
National Fruit Compote Day
National Horse Protection Day
Zero Discrimination Day
International Ideas Month
Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day
Tsagaan Sar
National March First Day
National Texas Stress Day
World Seagrass Day
International Martisor
Public Risk Management Awareness Day
National Sage Day
Endometriosis Awareness Day
National Hotel Slipper Day
National Minnesota Day
Plan a Solo Vacation Day
Peace Corps Day
National Welsh Corgi Day
Earth God's Birthday
Ramadan Begins
Baba Marta
Mărțișor
International Women of Color Day
Justin Bieber's Birthday
Kenny Redneck Tv's Birthday
Frederic Chopin's Birthday
Sawyer Sharbino's Birthday
Philza's Birthday
Kesha's Birthday
Ron Howard's Birthday
Wonho's Birthday
Universal Human Beings Week
Hearing Awareness Week
North Dakota Winter Show
National Will Eisner Week
National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week
National Ghostwriters Week
Festival of Owls Week
Iditarod Race
National Aplastic Anemia & MDS Awareness Week
National Invest in Veterans Week
International Women’s Week
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Irish American Heritage Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Celery Month
National Crafting Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Kidney Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month
National Cheerleading Safety Month
National Umbrella Month
National Flour Month
March Madness
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Social Work Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Trisomy Awareness Month
National Crochet Month
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Dolphin Awareness Month
Red Cross Month
National Color Therapy Month
Ramadan
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Reading Month
Colic Awareness Month
Veggie Month
National Athletic Training Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Save Your Vision Awareness Month
National Women's History Month
National Eye Donor Month
Berries and Cherries Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
NZ Book Month
Alport Syndrome Awareness Month
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month
Listening Awareness Month
Gardening, Nature and Ecology Books Month
Middle Level Education Month
Women’s Month (Philippines)
Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
Vascular Anomalies Awareness Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
National Deaf History Month
American Red Cross Month
Endometriosis Month
Gender Equality Month
Read an E-Book Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Mad for Plaid Month
Youth Art Month
National Breast Implant Awareness Month
National Bed Month (U.K.)
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month
Greek American Heritage Month
Birth anniversary of Samaon Sulaiman
Supply Management Month
National Optimism Month
Employee Spirit Month
Humorists are Artists Month
National Essential Tremor Awareness Month
Spiritual Wellness Month
Academy Awards Month
Sing With Your Child Month
National Professional Social Worker's Month
The Great Daffodil Appeal
Honor Society Awareness Month
Small Press Month
Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month
Mental Retardation Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
International Mirth Month
Play the Recorder Month
Lent
National Music in Our Schools Month
National Clean up Your IRS Act Month
National Credit Education Month
Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month
National March Into Literacy Month