9th Month of Islamic Calendar

Ramadan

رَمَضَان

"The Month of Great Heat / Scorching"

Significance of Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred month in Islam. It is the month during which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it obligatory for all adult Muslims.

Major Events

1Revelation of the Quran began (17th Ramadan)
2Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) - in the last 10 nights, commonly believed to be the 27th night
3Battle of Badr (17th Ramadan, 2 AH)
4Conquest of Mecca (20th Ramadan, 8 AH)

Recommended Practices

Fasting from dawn to sunset (obligatory for eligible Muslims)
Increased Quran recitation and study
Tarawih prayers (special night prayers)
Tahajjud (late night voluntary prayers)
Seeking Laylat al-Qadr in the last 10 nights
Increased charity (Zakat and Sadaqah)
Breaking fast with family and community (Iftar)
Pre-dawn meal (Suhoor)
I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque during last 10 days)
Increased remembrance and supplication

Fasting in Ramadan

Fasting (Sawm) during Ramadan is obligatory (Fard) for all adult, sane, healthy Muslims. The fast begins at Fajr (dawn) and ends at Maghrib (sunset). During fasting hours, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations. The fast is not just physical but also spiritual - Muslims must guard their tongue from backbiting, lying, and foul language, and control their temper and desires. Exemptions apply to travelers, the sick, elderly, pregnant or nursing women, menstruating women, and those with medical conditions. Missed fasts should be made up later or compensated through feeding the poor.

Historical Context

Ramadan holds unparalleled significance as the month when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) in the Cave of Hira. The revelation began on Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), which falls within the last 10 nights of Ramadan. This night is described in the Quran as 'better than a thousand months.' Historically, several major Islamic events occurred in Ramadan, including the decisive Battle of Badr (2 AH) where Muslims achieved victory despite being outnumbered, and the peaceful Conquest of Mecca (8 AH) which marked a turning point in Islamic history.