How Does Ramadan Work?

The shape of a day

1. Suhoor — a pre-dawn meal, eaten late and finished before Fajr.
2. Fajr — the fast begins with the dawn prayer.
3. The day — no food, drink or marital relations; work, study and normal life continue.
4. Iftar — the fast is broken at Maghrib, traditionally with dates and water.
5. Isha and Taraweeh — the long night prayer, often finishing the whole Qur’an over the month.

The shape of the month

The month is often described in three parts, and the last ten nights are the most intense, containing Laylat al-Qadr. Some Muslims perform I‘tikaf, a spiritual retreat in the mosque, during those nights.

How the month starts and ends

Ramadan begins when the new crescent is sighted after 29 days of Sha‘ban, and ends the same way with the Shawwal crescent. That is why dates can differ by a day between countries, and why the projected 8 February 2027 start remains subject to sighting.

Ending with Eid

Zakat al-Fitr is paid before the Eid prayer, and Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with a congregational prayer, family visits and gifts.

Attribution: the rulings summarised here are the positions recorded in the classical schools and the well known hadith collections. They are presented for information, not as a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar in your community.

Frequently asked questions

Do Muslims work during Ramadan?

Yes. Most people work and study as normal; some countries shorten official working hours during the month.

What is Taraweeh?

A voluntary night prayer performed in congregation after Isha during Ramadan, usually 8 or 20 rak‘ahs depending on local practice.

Where to go next

Suhoor and IftarBoth meals, the sunnah and the practicalities.Ramadan plannerPreparing for the month and a daily routine.Dua librarySupplications with source and grading.Health while fastingHydration, sleep, caffeine and medication.Ramadan quizTest what you know, with every answer referenced.