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. Fasting begins at dawn (Fajr) and ends at sunset (Maghrib), with exceptions for certain groups such as children, elderly, and travelers. The purpose of fasting includes spiritual growth, empathy for the less fortunate, and strengthening community bonds. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. These are the rules and customs of the Ramadan fast. The Islamic calendar consists of 12 lunar months, with each month lasting between 29 and 30 days, depending on the moon's sighting. The beginning of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new 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. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File) 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. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for 30 days until the day of Eid al-Fitr. Fasting is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory acts of worship for every Muslim. In this Ramadan guide for new and newly-practicing Muslims, learn about the virtues of fasting, why we fast, and what we hope to gain through our acts of worship in Ramadan. Take 30 seconds to give for 30 days. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, may be 29 or 30 days long. An Islamic month begins with the sighting of the new crescent in the western horizon, immediately after sunset. Muslims look toward the western horizon for the new moon on the 29th day of Shaban, the eighth month. Ramadan will be approximately March 1 - March 30 in 2025. Fasting times in 2025 are between approximately 5 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the beginning of Ramadan and 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. by the end of Ramadan. Some may start fasting earlier and break fast later. The Islamic calendar consists of 12 lunar months, with each month lasting between 29 and 30 days, depending on the moon's sighting. The beginning of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new During the day, they are not supposed to eat or drink anything - including water - until after sunset, when they break their fast with an evening meal, called iftar or fitoor. Some Muslims are What Does Not Break the Fast? There are certain things that people may worry will break their fast, but they do not. These include: Swallowing saliva – It is a natural bodily function and does not break the fast. Brushing your teeth – As long as toothpaste is not swallowed, brushing is allowed. The month-long fast will then be followed by Eid al-Fitr, a joyous festival marking the end of Ramadan. Why Do Muslims Fast During Ramadan? energy for the day's fast. At sunset, they break This variation adds a unique challenge and beauty to the experience of Ramadan. Why Do Muslims Fast During Ramadan? Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the core practices that define a Muslim’s faith and actions. When Does Ramadan 2025 Start and End? Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025, and end on the evening of Saturday, March 29, 2025. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon. Why is Ramadan Important in Islam? Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Ramadan is not based on the Gregorian Calendar, so it changes every year. And throughout the course of a few decades it occurs throughout every season, making this map need to be updated depending on when Ramadan is falling that particular year. In 2030 Ramadan will be at the winter solstice, so northern latitudes will have hardly any daylight What exactly is Ramadan? How does fasting work? Is there anything you should say around Muslim friends? Here are a few handy things to know about the Islamic holy month for 2022. Deliberate Breaking of Fast Requires Expiation – If someone deliberately eats or drinks without a valid excuse, they must make up the fast and offer kaffarah (expiation), For example, feeding 60 impoverished individuals or fasting for 60 days. Children are not expected to fast until they reach puberty, usually around the age of 14. Ramadan remembers the month the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book) was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
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