Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims across the world mark this month by observing daily fasts from dawn to sunset. The exact dates of Ramadan change every year. This is because Islam uses a calendar based on the cycles of the Moon.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims commence their fast by consuming a morning meal (suhoor) before dawn and break their fast after sunset, by having ‘iftar’ (the evening meal). During the fasting period, they abstain from consuming any food or drink and devote their time in spirituality and prayer.
Why do Muslims fast?
Fasting plays an important role in many major world religions and is a central feature in all the Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
In Islam, Muslims who are able to, are required to fast during the month of Ramadan and are recommended to fast at other times of the year too. However, children, pregnant women, elderly people and those who are ill or travelling don't have to fast.
A key objective of fasting is to work towards an increase in taqwa (closeness to God), and to create a sense of gratitude, self-discipline and self-improvement, at both an individual and community level, which Muslims are encouraged to continue throughout the year.
At an individual level, fasting encourages Muslims to feel an affinity with the poor across the world who have little or no food to eat.
At community level, the breaking of the fast meal encourages families and local communities to share their meal together, whilst charity work in local communities typically increases during Ramadan.
Ramadan significance
Ramadan remembers the month the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book) was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The actual night that the Qur'an was revealed is a night known as Lailut ul-Qadr ('The Night of Power').
