Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar — the most blessed month of the year. Allah (SWT) says: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." (Quran 2:185)

The Obligatory Fast (Sawm)

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory upon every sane, adult Muslim who is physically able. The fast begins at the true dawn (Fajr) and ends at sunset (Maghrib). During the fast, Muslims abstain from:

  • Food and drink (including water)
  • Smoking
  • Sexual relations between spouses
  • Deliberately vomiting

Who Is Exempt from Fasting?

  • Travellers — may break the fast and make it up later
  • The ill — may break the fast and make it up when recovered
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women — may defer and make up fasts, or pay fidyah
  • The elderly who cannot fast — pay fidyah (feeding a poor person per day)
  • Menstruating women — must break the fast and make up the missed days

Suhoor and Iftar

Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal, eaten before Fajr. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is barakah." (Bukhari & Muslim). Eat something nourishing — dates, oats, eggs, and plenty of water are ideal.

Iftar is the meal at sunset (Maghrib). The Sunnah is to break the fast with an odd number of dates and water, then pray Maghrib before eating the main meal.

Taraweeh Prayer

Taraweeh is a special voluntary night prayer performed after Isha throughout Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever prays during the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim)

Taraweeh is typically prayed in sets of 2 rakats — most mosques pray 8 or 20 rakats. Both are valid based on authentic hadith.

Laylat ul Qadr — The Night of Power

Laylat ul Qadr is better than a thousand months of worship (Quran 97:3). It falls in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, most likely on an odd night (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Seek Laylat ul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Bukhari)

The best dua for this night: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni — "O Allah, You are pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me." (Tirmidhi)

Zakat al-Fitr

Zakat al-Fitr is a mandatory charity paid before Eid al-Fitr. It is due upon every Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs. The amount is approximately 2.5 kg (or the local equivalent in value) of a staple food such as wheat, rice, or dates. It must be paid before the Eid prayer.

How to Make the Most of Ramadan

  • Complete one reading of the Quran (Khatm) — read 20 pages daily
  • Give charity generously — every good deed is multiplied in Ramadan
  • Make sincere tawbah (repentance) — Ramadan is the month of forgiveness
  • Reduce screen time and increase ibadah in the last 10 nights
  • Make du'a with full concentration — especially at Iftar time (a time when du'a is accepted)

Use the DuaSalaam Prayer Times page for accurate Suhoor (Fajr) and Iftar (Maghrib) times at your location throughout Ramadan.