Ramadan is one of the most blessed months of Islam. It is the 9th month of the 12-month lunar Islamic calendar and is considered to be one of the holiest months of Islam. It is the month during which we fast, practice self-restraint, recite the Quran, and help those less fortunate than us. Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (breaking of the fast) are two important times to follow during this holy month and the Muslim and Quran app provides accurate and updated timings to guide you this Ramadan. Download the Ramadan Calendar {year} and receive regular notifications for Suhoor and Iftar according to your location and sect. With Muslim and Quran, you'll never be late for your Suhoor and will always break your fast on time.
Introduction to the Holy Month of Ramadan
Ramadan Kareem is traditionally commences and ends according to the sighting of the new moon. However, Muslims often tend to welcome Ramazan according to a pre-determined date based on astronomical calculations.
The month of Ramadan is significant for Muslims for many reasons. First, this blessed month marks the beginning of the revelation of the Holy Quran. Second, it is the month during which Muslims fast, i.e., abstain from food and drink (and sex, if married) from dawn till dusk.
The Significance of Ramadan
Fasting is a pillar of Islam and obligatory for all healthy, sane, and affording Muslims, and the month of Ramazan is the time during which we fulfill this obligation. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is the best opportunity for believers to become closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). It teaches us self-restraint, thankfulness, humility, and compassion for the less fortunate.
Ramadan provides all Muslims the opportunity for spiritual awakening and strengthening their belief. The eventual goal of fasting is to gain greater God-consciousness, orTaqwa, which symbolizes a state of persistent acknowledgment and fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Ramadan allows believers to concentrate on devotion, recite the Holy Quran, perform special prayers (Tarawih), and offer nawafil. Ramadan is the best time to refresh our bond with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and ask for forgiveness for our sins.
Another extremely significant aspect of Ramadan is The Night of Power orLailat-ul-Qadr. This night is believed to occur on one of the last ten odd nights of Ramadan and is most commonly believed to be the 27th night of Ramadan. It is the night in which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ). Muslims are encouraged to pray for forgiveness, hold vigils in prayer, recite the Quran, and do Tasbih.
Etiquettes During Ramadan
Fasting during Ramadan is not only about abstaining from eating, drinking, and sex. Ramadan is a time for physical and spiritual training by avoiding negative acts such as backbiting, gossiping, arguing, and lying. Believers must practice moral excellence and encourage each other to do good deeds and refrain from bad deeds.
Ramadan also provides Muslims the opportunity to socialize with each other. Believers are encouraged to have breakfast together, offer obligatory and special prayers in the congregation, and also meet for Iftar. Moreover, believers must help the underprivileged and help them through acts of charity such as providing food, shelter, and money.
In remembrance of the beginning of the revelation of the Holy Quran, Muslims should try and recite the entire Quran during Ramadan. It is highly encouraged that believers also read the Tafseer and understand the deeper meaning behind the Quranic text. Moreover, the entire Quran is also recitedduring the Tarawih prayers.
Mentions of Ramadan in the Quran and Sunnah
The Holy Quran mentions the blessed month of Ramadan and the virtues of fasting on various occasions.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O believers, fasting is enjoined on you as it was on those before you so that you might become righteous.”
(Quran 2:183)
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
"Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed as guidance to man and clear proof of the guidance, and criterion (of falsehood and truth). So, when you see the new moon you should fast the whole month; but a person who is ill or traveling (and fails to do so) should fast on other days, as God wishes ease and not hardship for you, so that you complete the (fixed) number (of fasts), and give glory to God for the guidance, and be grateful."
(Quran 2:185)
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”
(Quran 97:1-5)
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has also mentioned the merits of Ramadan and fasting on various occasions. It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) that the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying:
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it, the gates of the heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived."' (Sunan an-Nasa'i 2106)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1901)
"Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he meets his Lord, and the breath (of an observer of fast), is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk." (Sahih Muslim 1151e)
Tarawih Prayers in Ramadan
The Tarawih prayers are special nawafil recited during Ramadan. Tarawih can be offered at night any time after the obligatory Isha prayer. However, please remember that the Tarawih prayer must be offered before the Witr prayer since the latter is the last prayer of the night.
Moreover, the Tarawih prayer must be offered before the time for the Fajr prayer starts. It is recommended and extremely rewarding to rest well and wake up in the last third of the night to offer Tarawih peacefully.
Since the Tarawih prayers are voluntary, they can be recited in a congregation or at home. Hazrat Aisha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) used to pray (at night) during Ramadan. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2011)
It is narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ):
"I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2008)
According to some religious schools of thought, you can also hold a hard copy or digital copy of the Holy Quran during your Tarawih prayers. However, it is not compulsory to recite the whole Quran during Tarawih; you will be rewarded according to the sincerity of your ibadat.
Suhoor and Iftar Tips
Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (opening the fast meal) are very important times in Ramadan since they signify the closing and the opening of one's fast, respectively. Here are some important tips to help keep your Suhoor and Iftar nutritious:
- Never skip Suhoor – skipping Suhoor prolongs the fasting period since the body will rely on the previous night's meal for nutrients and energy until Iftar. This can lead to weakness, dehydration, and even fainting spells during the day.
- Avoid over-eating – don't consume too much food and water during Suhoor and Iftar. Consume a well-balanced, nutritious meal instead of a feast.
- Avoid sugary, fried, and salty foods – besides unhealthy weight gain, consuming such food items causes sluggishness and increases thirst. Consume more fruits, vegetables, rice, and meat. Also, add fiber-rich foods to your meals.
- Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water between Iftar and Suhoor to reduce your risk of dehydration during fasting.
