Ramadan, in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan that the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran. A man looks at members of the Malaysian Islamic authority as they perform the “Rukyah Hilal Ramadan,” the sighting of the new moon to determine the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast (Arabic: صوم, sawm; Persian: روزہ, rozeh), every day from dawn to sunset. Fasting requires the abstinence from sex, food, drinking, and smoking. 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˺. Ramadan (Arabic: رَمَضَان, Ramaḍān) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims worldwide. It is observed on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is usually commemorated around April or May. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by practicing Muslims as a month of fasting, reflection, and prayer. It commemorates the first revelation of Muhammed and, as such, observance of the month is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making Ramadan an essential time of devotion, self-discipline, and spiritual reflection for Muslims around the world. It’s a month that strengthens the connection between Muslims and their faith, encouraging acts of kindness, empathy, and charity. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the deeds of worship required of all Muslims who have attained puberty. Women who are having their menstrual period or who have not fully recovered from childbirth, postpone the fast until they are completely out of their special conditions. Muslim children parade on the streets to welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Ungaran, Central Java Province, Indonesia, on Feb. 23, 2025. Muslim worshippers perform prayer rituals on Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny), one of the holiest nights during Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim in TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The holy month of Ramadan is fast approaching, with Muslims around the world preparing to fast for 30 days, from dawn to sunset.. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows the Earth’s orbit around the sun, the Islamic Hijri calendar follows a lunar calendar, meaning that months can fall in different seasons throughout the year, according to The New Arab. Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is a time of great devotion, self-discipline, and reflection for Muslims worldwide. In addition to being a guide for millions of individuals in their daily prayers, the exact fasting timings—which specify when to begin and end the fast each day—are crucial to this sacred observance. Ashura is the ninth day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is recommended to perform extra fasting during this whole month. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The best fast after the month of Ramadan is fasting in the month of Allah, Muharram.” In a nutshell, Ramadan fasting is a fundamental practice in Islam where healthy adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. This spiritual observance fosters self-discipline, empathy, and increased devotion to Allah. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time when Muslims worldwide observe fasting from sunrise till sunset for the sake of Allah SWT. When it comes to Ramadan guidelines , the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has clearly defined them for the entire ummah. A boy looks at traditional lanterns ahead of the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, March 7, 2024. Muslims throughout the world are preparing to celebrate Ramadan Ramadan is a time for seeking forgiveness and repentance. Fasting and sincere worship during this month can lead to the expiation of past sins. Hadith Reference: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hope for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim) 9. Ramadan in Houston will begin on Feb. 28 and end on March 30 and marks a month-long period of fasting, prayer, communal gathering and spiritual observance for Muslims. People break their fasts during the Muslim’s holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a rooftop restaurant near the historical Badshahi mosque, in background, in Lahore, Pakistan, March 15, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary, File)
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