Ramadan
Month-long fasting event in Islam / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ramadan[lower-alpha 2] (Arabic: رَمَضَان, romanized: Ramaḍān [ra.ma.dˤaːn];[lower-alpha 3] also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,[10] observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community.[11] A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation,[12] the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam[13] and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.[14][15]
Ramadan رَمَضَان | |
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Also called |
|
Observed by | Muslims |
Type | Islamic |
Celebrations | Community iftars and prayers |
Observances | |
Begins | At the last night of the month of Sha'ban[1] |
Ends | At the last night of the month of Ramadan[1] |
Date | Variable (follows the Islamic lunar calendar)[2][3] |
2024 date | 11/12 March – 9/10 April[lower-alpha 1] |
Frequency | Annual (lunar calendar) |
Related to |
Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory (fard) for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, pregnant, or menstruating.[16] The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar.[17][18] Although rulings (fatawa) have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca,[19] it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day.[20][21][22]
The spiritual rewards (thawab) of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.[23] Accordingly, during the hours of fasting, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also tobacco products, sexual relations, and sinful behavior,[24][25] devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the Quran.[26][27]