Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims — people who follow the religion of Islam. With more than one billion followers worldwide, Islam is the second largest religion after Christianity.
You might have heard about Ramadan from a friend, seen it on a calendar, or noticed someone fasting during the day. Maybe you’ve wondered what it’s all about or why it’s such an important time for so many people.
To help you learn about Ramadan and how it’s celebrated, we put together a holiday guide for families:
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims use the Islamic calendar (also known as the Hijri calendar) to determine the dates of religious events and observances.
Ramadan is a time for introspection, self-restraint, prayer, and reading the Quran — the holy book of Islam. It holds spiritual significance and is the most sacred month for Muslims.
According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad received the revelations of the Quran during the month of Ramadan, on Lailat al-Qadr, or the “Night of Power.” On this night, traditionally observed on the 27th of Ramadan, mosques — Muslim places of worship — are open all night for prayer and contemplation.
When is Ramadan?
The beginning of Ramadan falls on a different day every year because it is determined by the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar based on the phases of the moon. The modern calendar used by most countries of the world, the Gregorian calendar, is a solar calendar based on Earth’s rotation around the Sun.
Each month of the Islamic calendar begins when the new crescent moon is sighted and lasts either 29 or 30 days. Some Muslims follow Saudi Arabia’s sighting of the moon, while others follow their own local sighting.
Every year, Ramadan moves about 10 to 12 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar, which means it will eventually cycle through all seasons.
In 2025, Ramadan begins on February 28th or March 1st (depending on when the moon is sighted) and lasts 30 days, until March 29th or 30th.
How is Ramadan celebrated?
During Ramadan, Muslims focus on self-reflection and self-restraint through fasting (called sawm). Fasting is seen as a way to cleanse the soul and develop self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate, and gratitude.
Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from the first light of dawn until the sun sets at dusk every day of Ramadan. Before dawn, they eat a meal called suhur. In the evening, to break the fast, they have a feast known as iftar with their families, which often begins with date fruits.
All Muslims in good health who have reached puberty are supposed to fast, while those who are sick, elderly, traveling, pregnant, or nursing are exempt. Muslims who cannot fast are supposed to help feed the poor as an alternative or, if possible, make up for missed fasting days in the future.
Many Muslims use Ramadan as a time to focus on their faith by reading and reciting the Quran, saying special prayers called Taraweeh, and attending mosques more frequently. Ramadan is also a time of empathy, generosity, and compassion, so Muslims often give to charity and volunteer during this month.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
The end of Ramadan is marked with a three-day celebration known as Eid al-Fitr (pronounced eed uhl-fee-truh), or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.”
Eid al-Fitr includes a special morning prayer and meals with friends and relatives. During this time, fasting is not allowed. Some families decorate their homes with lanterns, symbolizing unity, compassion, and faith. Families also exchange gifts, and special gifts are given to the poor so they can celebrate Eid al-Fitr, too.
The full day of Eid al-Fitr is a holiday, so many Muslims choose to take the day off. Some cultures also consider the two days after to be part of the holiday. In 2025, Eid al-Fitr begins on March 30th.
Ramadan is a meaningful time when Muslims around the world connect and celebrate with one another and reflect on themselves. We hope this guide has helped you understand the significance of Ramadan and appreciate its values of charity and kindness.
Ramadan Mubarak! Blessed Ramadan!
