Ramadan: The Complete Guide
This is the overview page for the whole site. It covers each part of Ramadan briefly and links to the page that treats it properly.
What Ramadan is
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar and the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed: “The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people” (Qur’an 2:185). Fasting it is the fourth pillar of Islam, made obligatory in the second year after the Hijrah.
The obligation is stated in Qur’an 2:183, and the purpose is stated in the same verse — taqwa, God-consciousness. Hunger is the method, not the point. The hadith makes this explicit: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1903).
The fast itself
From the entry of Fajr to sunset, a fasting person abstains from food, drink and marital relations, with the intention formed before dawn. The intention is an act of the heart and needs no spoken formula (Sunan Abi Dawud 2454). Forgetfully eating or drinking does not break the fast — “let him complete his fast, for it was Allah who fed him and gave him drink” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933).
Who fasts and who is excused
Fasting is obligatory on every sane adult Muslim who is able and resident. The Qur’an itself names the exceptions: the ill and the traveller make up an equal number of other days (Qur’an 2:184). Menstruating women do not fast and make the days up later. Those permanently unable to fast pay fidya instead. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may postpone, though scholars differ on whether they make up, pay fidya, or both.
What is not an excuse is a busy schedule or a demanding job in itself. What is an excuse is genuine harm to health, and no one should be deciding that alone under pressure — speak to a doctor and a qualified scholar together.
The two meals
Suhoor before dawn is a strongly recommended sunnah: “Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1923). Eating it late, close to Fajr, is the reported practice. Iftar at sunset should not be delayed: “The people will remain upon good as long as they hasten to break the fast” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1957).
The daily shape of the month
The five obligatory prayers are unchanged. Added to them is Taraweeh, the voluntary night prayer after Isha, prayed in congregation in mosques through the month. Many communities complete the entire Qur’an across the thirty nights, roughly one juz a day. Charity increases sharply — the Prophet was most generous in Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari 6).
The last ten nights
The final third of the month is where the effort concentrates. Aisha reported that when the last ten nights began the Prophet would stay awake, wake his family, and strive as at no other time (Sahih al-Bukhari 2024). Somewhere among them is Laylat al-Qadr, “better than a thousand months” (Qur’an 97:3), which is why the odd nights are all sought rather than one being fixed (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017).
Zakat and Zakat al-Fitr
Many people pay their annual zakat during Ramadan, which is permitted though not required — the zakat year runs from the date your wealth first reached the nisab. Separately, Zakat al-Fitr is owed per person in the household and must reach the poor before the Eid prayer.
Health
Most of what makes Ramadan hard is manageable with planning: taper caffeine before the month rather than stopping abruptly, drink steadily across the evening rather than in one go, shift sleep earlier in stages, and reduce training intensity. Anyone taking regular medication should arrange a review before Ramadan rather than improvising the timing. Nobody should stop or alter medication in order to fast.
Family, school and work
Fasting becomes obligatory at puberty; before that children commonly fast part of a day as practice, with encouragement rather than pressure. Ask employers and schools about prayer space and flexible hours in the week before Ramadan, not on the day. Many families take leave for the last ten nights.
Eid al-Fitr
The month ends when the Shawwal crescent is sighted. Fasting on the day of Eid is forbidden (Sahih al-Bukhari 1992). The Eid prayer is two rak‘ahs with the sermon after, not before. Six voluntary fasts in Shawwal follow, described as completing the reward of a year (Sahih Muslim 1164).
Dates for 2027
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on 8 February 2027 and to end in early March, with Eid al-Fitr following. Every one of those dates is a projection until the crescent is sighted and your local authority announces it.
Frequently asked questions
When does Ramadan 2027 start?
It is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, subject to the sighting of the crescent on the evening of 29 Sha‘ban.
What is the purpose of fasting?
Qur’an 2:183 names it directly: taqwa, God-consciousness. The change in conduct is the point; abstaining from food is the method.
What breaks the fast?
Deliberately eating, drinking or having marital relations during the fasting hours. Forgetful eating does not, and neither does involuntary vomiting or a nosebleed.
Can I fast if I am travelling?
You may fast or postpone. Where the journey causes real hardship, not fasting is better — “It is not righteousness to fast while travelling” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1946).