We live in a world where people have different religions, cultures, and beliefs. They all are great and unique in their aspects. One of the main religions followed by people around the world is Islam. Islam is the second most followed religion in the world. 24% of the total world population follows Islam. People who follow Islam are called Muslims. Several festivals are celebrated throughout the year by Muslims. One of the significant months in the Islamic calendar is the month of Ramadan.
What is Ramadan (Ramzan)?
Ramadan is also called Ramzan or Ramdhan. Ramzan word means "scorching heat." Ramadan is the ninth month according to the Islamic calendar. It is a holy month for Muslims. They observe this month by fasting, praying, and doing charity. According to the holy book Quran, fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is done for twenty-nine to thirty days. All healthy adult Muslims must fast during the month of Ramadan. One who is suffering from illness, pregnant mothers, menstruating women can be exempted from fasting. If you are travelling, then also you can be excused from fasting. The month of Ramadan starts after the new moon is seen by people. Muslims start their fasting before sunrise and end after sunset. The morning time is called sehri time, and the time they open their fast is called iftar time. This month holds great significance. It is highly advisable to pray and ask for forgiveness as much as you want. Good deeds are known to get multiplied in this month. People do charity and give zakat to the poor. Muslims try to avoid all the things which are not allowed in the Quran. They avoid tobacco, cussing, and other sinful behaviour. Reading of Quran and prayers is done with devotion.
History of Ramadan (Ramzan)
The month of Ramadan is so important because the revelation of the Quran happened this month. Scholars believe Prophet Muhammed received his first Quranic revelation on Laytul Qadr. Laytul Qadr is the five odd nights during the last ten days. It is believed that all the other Islamic scriptures like Gospel, Psalms, Torah are also revealed during Ramadan.
Significance of Ramadan
The month of Ramadan is of great importance as Quran was revealed in this month. One verse of the Quran states: "The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it."
Thus, it is celebrated across the whole world with great devotion and enthusiasm. It benefits the people spiritually. Muslims devote their time praying five times a day which brings them close to their Lord. In some countries, not fasting is even a punishable offence.
Ramadan's objective is to awake sympathy in a fasting person's heart. By fasting, people realize how hard it is for the poor or unfortunate to live in hunger. It makes them help the poor through charity or by providing food, water, and clothes. Ramadan also makes Muslims get away from the bad habits which cleanse their soul. Muslims also believe Ramadan helps them learn self-discipline, empathy, and self-control.
Ramadan 2023 Date
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When is Ramadan 2023?
Ramadan for the year 2023 will be from March 23, 2023 till April 23, 2023.
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Ramadan dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029
| Year | First day of Ramadan | Last day of Ramadan |
| 2021 | 13 April | 12 May |
| 2022 | 3 April | 2 May |
| 2023 | 23 March | 23 April |
| 2024 | 11 March | 9 April |
| 2025 | 1 March | 30 March |
| 2026 | 18 February | 19 March |
| 2027 | 8 February | 9 March |
| 2028 | 28 January | 26 February |
| 2029 | 16 January | 14 February |
Ramadan Quotes
May your fast remind you of the sacrifices Allah made for us.
Wishing you a happy Ramadan.
Sending you thoughts of comfort and peace this Ramadan.
May Ramadan strengthen all of our taqwa.
Wishing you a holy and blessed fast.
Wishing you a meaningful fast.
May Allah bless and protect your family during Ramadan and always.
Keeping you in our prayers during Ramadan.
Sending your family love and light this Ramadan.
May Ramadan bring you closer to having your prayers answered.
Ramadan Kareem!
May this holy month bring an abundance of blessings.
Wishing you good health and a warm spirit this Ramadan.
Sending wishes of a sweet Iftar.
Sending you love and joy this Ramadan.
Ramadan Wishes
May Allah bless you and those you love this holy month.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and meaningful holy month.
Ramzanul Mubarak.
May practicing sawm and salat bring light to your soul this Ramadan.
Sending wishes of a joyous and prosperous Ramadan to you and your family.
May Allah be with you throughout your fast.
Ramadan Mubarak!
May this holy month bring you ever closer to enlightenment.
May Allah bless you during the Holy Month.
May your fasting feel fast.
May Allah bless you with prosperity and abundance.
Sending wishes for a peaceful Ramadan.
May Ramadan bring you prosperity and joy.
Ramadan Messages
May all your prayers be answered this Ramadan and always.
May the holy month of Ramadan set your spirit alight.
Wishing you a blessed Ramadan.
Let Allah guide you and protect you this Ramadan and always.
Wishing you health and prosperity this Ramadan.
May your faith be further emboldened this Ramadan.
May Ramadan bring you ever closer to Jannah.
Wishing you abundance for Iftar.
May your fast be peaceful and profound.
Sending love to you and your family this Ramadan.
Wishing you a healthy and holy fast.
May Allah answer your prayers this holy month.
How is Ramadan celebrated?
The month of Ramadan starts with seeing the new moon. There are many things done during Ramadan like praying Taraweeh, fasting, praying, and recitation of the Quran.
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Taraweeh
Taraweeh is the extra prayer performed at night. It starts on the day before the fast and ends on the last day of Ramadan. It is advisable to pray Taraweeh for the whole month. Every day 1/30 of the Quran is recited during the Taraweeh. It completes the entire recitation of the Quran in one month of Ramadan. It is not necessary to finish the whole recitation in 30 days. Some mosques may finish Taraweeh in 15 days, 20 days. Though, it is advisable to attend Taraweeh for the entire month.
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Fasting
Fasting starts early in the morning before sunrise. Muslims refer to that time as the time of suhur. They eat and drink enough to pass the day without eating and drinking anything. It is advisable not to eat much as it may upset the stomach. The time of Suhoor ends right when Azaan for Fajr prayer starts. Fajr prayer is the first prayer of the day.
Fasting ends in the evening. The time at which fasting ends is called Iftar time. The food served during the Iftaar time is called iftaari. It is sunnah to break the fast with a date. Sunnah is the things that were done by the Prophet Muhammed. Many traditional dishes are prepared during Iftaar. Dates, cutlets, and biryani are prepared to satisfy your hunger. Sharbat or orange juice is kept to serve your thirst.
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Praying
Praying is one of the five pillars of Islam. All the Muslims who did not pray regularly try to pray five times a day. The five prayers are known as Fajr, Zuhar, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. It is fard(obligatory) on all Muslims to pray five times a day. Thus during Ramadan, mosques are filled as everyone dedicates themselves towards pleasing their Lord.
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Zakat (Charity)
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It means "the poor-rate." Zakat is donating some proportion of your wealth to the poor. Proportions are different according to your income. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims have to give Zakats before they offer the Eid prayer.
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Recitation of Quran
It is advisable that during fasting, one should recite Quran. People try to finish the recitation of the whole Quran in a month. Some even complete the Quran more than two times a month. There are many rewards for reading the Quran, as stated in the Quran itself.
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Laylat al-Qadr
It is the odd night in the last ten days of Ramadan. Scholars believe that it is one of the five nights in which the Quran was revealed. These are the holiest nights, according to Muslims. It is said to have great rewards. People stay awake till morning to pray on these nights. They offer extra prayers, recite Quran, praises Allah, and do other devotional things to please Allah.
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Eid
After the month of Ramadan comes Eid. Muslims celebrate Eid with great enthusiasm and satisfaction. Eid is the reward for fasting for a whole month of Ramadan. People celebrate Eid by preparing many delicious dishes like biryani, siwai. They visit each other's houses to celebrate the auspicious festival together.
Where Ramadan is celebrated?
Ramadan is celebrated across the whole world. Countries, where it is celebrated majorly are:
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Indonesia
Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims. The celebration of Ramadan is indeed eye-catching there. Muslims organize a colourful torch-lit parade. You will see people breaking fast with their families and sharing it with the poor.
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Iran
People in Iran uniquely celebrate Ramadan. They start the fast three days before the month of Ramadan.
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UAE
The unique celebration of Ramadan includes celebrating in tents. Meals are organized throughout the month of Ramadan for everyone. People from all over the world visit UAE during Ramadan to observe the celebration.
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India
Muslims in India also celebrate it with great devotion. Iftaar is organized in local mosques for everyone. As India is home to Bollywood actors, actors organize an iftaar party during the month of Ramadan.
Interesting facts about Ramadan
- The first verse of the Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan to Prophet Muhammad.
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
- Your fast will not be considered broken if you eat or drink something unintentionally.
- Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid.
- There is no obligation on children to fast.
