Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar and the holiest month of the year. It was in this month that the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and it is in this month that Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset, intensify their worship, and seek closeness to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ described it as a month of mercy, forgiveness, and liberation from the Fire.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Ramadan — the fasting rules, prayer schedule, spiritual practices, and how to make the most of every blessed night.

When Does Ramadan Begin?

Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon (hilal) after the end of Sha’ban. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan shifts approximately 10–11 days earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar, moving through all seasons over a 33-year cycle. The start date varies by country based on whether local moon sighting or a calculated date is followed.

AdhanTime.Today provides the expected Ramadan start date for the current year for every country we cover. Check your city’s Ramadan timetable for the full month’s suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking fast) times.

The Obligation of Fasting

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, obligatory upon every adult Muslim who is sane, healthy, and not travelling. Allah says in the Quran: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.” (2:183)

Who Is Exempt?

The following groups are permitted or required to break their fast, with conditions that vary by school of thought:

The ill: Those for whom fasting would cause harm or delay recovery. Missed days must be made up (qada) after recovery.
Travellers: Those on a journey meeting the distance threshold. Missed days must be made up.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: If fasting poses a risk to the mother or child. Make up days or pay fidyah depending on the scholar’s ruling.
The elderly: Those physically unable to fast without serious harm may pay fidyah (feeding a poor person for each missed day) instead of making up the fast.
Women during menstruation or post-natal bleeding: Fasting is prohibited; days must be made up after Ramadan.
Children: Not obligatory until puberty, though many children fast voluntarily with parental encouragement.

The Rules of Fasting

What Breaks the Fast

The following intentionally invalidate the fast and require making up the missed day (and in some cases, kaffarah — a major expiation):

Eating or drinking deliberately
Sexual intercourse (also requires kaffarah)
Deliberate vomiting
The onset of menstruation or post-natal bleeding

What Does NOT Break the Fast

Unintentional eating or drinking due to forgetfulness — complete the fast and it remains valid
Rinsing the mouth without swallowing
Eye drops, ear drops, or injections that do not provide nourishment (majority opinion)
Swallowing saliva naturally
Tasting food without swallowing (though this should be avoided)
Brushing teeth with a dry toothbrush or miswak
Showering or swimming without swallowing water

Prayer Times in Ramadan

The two most important times to know during Ramadan are Fajr (which marks the beginning of the fast) and Maghrib (which marks its end).

Suhoor — The Pre-Dawn Meal

Suhoor is the meal eaten before Fajr. The Prophet ﷺ strongly encouraged it: “Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” (Bukhari). The fast begins at the time of Fajr — specifically at the start of Fajr al-Sadiq (true dawn), which is when the white light begins to spread across the horizon. Stop eating a few minutes before the Fajr adhan as a precaution.

Iftar — Breaking the Fast

Iftar is at Maghrib — the moment the sun disappears below the horizon. The Prophet ﷺ said: “People will remain in goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Bukhari). The sunnah is to break the fast with dates and water before praying Maghrib. The du’a upon breaking the fast: Allahumma laka sumtu wa bika amantu wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu.

Use AdhanTime.Today’s Ramadan timetable to get precise suhoor end and iftar times for your exact city throughout the entire month.

Tarawih — The Night Prayer of Ramadan

Tarawih is the special night prayer performed after Isha throughout Ramadan. While it is sunnah mu’akkadah (a strongly emphasised sunnah) rather than obligatory, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever prays during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

Tarawih is typically prayed in congregation at the mosque in sets of two rak’ahs, totalling 8 or 20 rak’ahs depending on the tradition followed. Many mosques complete the recitation of the entire Quran during Tarawih over the course of the month — one of the most powerful spiritual experiences in Islam.

Laylat al-Qadr — The Night of Power

Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) is the most sacred night of the year — indeed, Allah describes it as better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3). It was the night on which the Quran began to be revealed, and acts of worship performed on this night carry the reward of over 83 years of worship.

The Prophet ﷺ said to seek it in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan — particularly the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights. The recommended du’a for this night: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni — “O Allah, You are Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me.”

I’tikaf — Spiritual Retreat

I’tikaf is the practice of secluding oneself in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan for intensive worship and reflection. The Prophet ﷺ performed i’tikaf every Ramadan. During i’tikaf, one remains in the mosque, fasting, praying, reciting Quran, and making dhikr, leaving only for essential needs. Even a shorter i’tikaf of one or a few days carries great reward.

Zakat al-Fitr

Zakat al-Fitr is a mandatory charity (sadaqah wajibah) that every Muslim must pay before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It is approximately 2.5–3 kg of a staple food (or its monetary equivalent) per person in the household, including dependants. Its purpose is to purify the fasting person of any shortcomings and to ensure that the poor can also celebrate Eid. It must be paid before the Eid prayer — paying it after reduces it to an ordinary sadaqah.

Maximising Ramadan: A Daily Framework

Suhoor time: Wake early, eat a nourishing meal, pray Fajr, recite morning adhkar
Morning: Recite Quran after Fajr — this is a time of particular blessing
Afternoon: Pray Dhuhr and Asr on time; avoid idle activities that drain spiritual energy
Before iftar: This is one of the best times for du’a — the fasting person’s supplication is not rejected
After iftar: Pray Maghrib, eat moderately, pray Isha and Tarawih
Last ten nights: Minimise sleep, maximise worship — seek Laylat al-Qadr with full effort

Ramadan Around the World

Because AdhanTime.Today serves Muslims globally, we recognise that Ramadan presents different challenges depending on where you live. In countries with very long summer days — such as Norway, Iceland, or northern Canada — fasting hours can exceed 20 hours. Scholars generally advise following local Fajr and Maghrib times, or if this poses genuine hardship, following the times of the nearest moderate-climate country. Consult your local Islamic authority for the ruling applicable in your region.

In tropical countries close to the equator, fasting hours are more consistent year-round at approximately 12–13 hours. In the Southern Hemisphere, Ramadan in northern months falls during winter, making fasting hours shorter and the weather cooler.

Eid al-Fitr — Celebrating the End of Ramadan

Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal. The following day is Eid al-Fitr — a day of gratitude, celebration, and community. The obligations of Eid include paying Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer, performing the Eid prayer in congregation, wearing your best clothes, and visiting family. The sunnah is to eat an odd number of dates before the Eid prayer and to take a different route home than the one taken to the prayer.

May Allah allow us to reach Ramadan in health and faith, accept our fasting and prayers, and grant us the blessing of Laylat al-Qadr. Ameen.