What Muslims Do During Ramadan

Worship

The five daily prayers remain the backbone of the day, with Taraweeh added at night and Tahajjud in the last third for many. Qur’an recitation is increased, often on a schedule of one juz’ per day to complete it in the month.

Charity

Many Muslims pay their annual Zakat in Ramadan, and Zakat al-Fitr is due before the Eid prayer. Feeding a fasting person carries the reward of their fast (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 807).

Family and community

Shared Suhoor and Iftar, mosque programmes, Qur’an circles for children and evening visits define the social rhythm of the month.

The last ten nights

Effort intensifies: ‘A’ishah reported that when the last ten nights began, the Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist-wrapper, stay awake at night, and wake his family (Sahih al-Bukhari 2024).

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.

Obligatory and voluntary practices

The obligatory daily fast for eligible Muslims and the five daily prayers should be distinguished from voluntary practices such as Taraweeh, extra charity, extensive Qur’an reading and I‘tikaf. This helps non-Muslim readers understand why individual Ramadan routines differ.

Community variation

Foods, working hours, mosque schedules and cultural traditions vary widely. The religious framework is shared, but Ramadan in Jakarta, Karachi, London and Toronto does not look identical in daily practice.

Work and school continue

Ramadan is lived alongside ordinary responsibilities. In some countries schedules change formally; elsewhere Muslims work normal hours and fit Suhoor, prayer and Iftar around them. This is why no single “daily Ramadan routine” represents everyone.

Charity has different forms

Giving money is only one form. Feeding people, volunteering, helping relatives and paying obligatory Zakat where due are different acts with different rules and intentions.

Frequently asked questions

Do Muslims sleep during the day in Ramadan?

Many take a short nap (qaylulah) because nights are shorter, but sleeping the whole day away is discouraged.

What is I‘tikaf?

A retreat in the mosque during the last ten nights, devoted to prayer, Qur’an and remembrance.