Ramadan: A Complete Guide to the Blessed Month

Allah says: ‘The month of Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind’ (Quran 2:185). The verse that makes fasting obligatory says it was prescribed so that believers may attain taqwa, awareness of Allah (Quran 2:183).

Fasting Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. It is required of every Muslim who is adult, sane and able, and who is not travelling. Those who are ill, travelling, pregnant, nursing or in menstruation have allowances and make up the days later. See the articles on who is exempt and on making up missed fasts.

The month begins with the sighting of the crescent, or on completing thirty days of Sha'ban, and it ends in the same way. The Prophet ﷺ forbade anticipating Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it (Sahih al-Bukhari 1909).

Countries follow sighting or calculation, so the start can differ by a day between places. Follow the announcement of your local authority and mosque. The article on why dates differ explains the reasons.

The Prophet ﷺ said that in suhoor there is blessing (Sahih al-Bukhari 1923, Sahih Muslim 1095), so take a light meal before dawn, even if it is only a little food or water. The fast begins at the true dawn.

The fast is broken at sunset. People remain in good as long as they hasten to break the fast (Sahih al-Bukhari 1957). Dates or water are the Sunnah to begin with, and the fasting person's dua at iftar is a time of hope.

The fast is more than leaving food, drink and marital relations from dawn to sunset. The Prophet ﷺ warned that whoever does not give up false speech and acting on it, Allah has no need of his leaving his food and drink (Sahih al-Bukhari 1903).

So guard the tongue, the eyes and the temper. If someone insults you, say that you are fasting. Read the articles on what breaks the fast and on guarding the tongue while fasting.

The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and hoping for reward will have his earlier sins forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari 38). Taraweeh after Isha, in the mosque or at home, is the standard form of this night prayer. The number of rak'ahs differs between the schools, and the article on taraweeh sets it out.

Ramadan is the month of the Quran. Set a fixed daily portion and keep to it. The article on completing the Quran in Ramadan offers a simple plan.

The Prophet ﷺ said to look for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017). Allah says that the Night of Decree is better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3).

Spend these nights in prayer, Quran, dua and seeking forgiveness, and consider i'tikaf in the mosque if you are able. Then end the month with zakat al-fitr before the Eid prayer, and enjoy Eid with gratitude.