Month 9 of the Hijri calendar
Ramadan: the Month of Fasting and of the Qur’an
Ramadan is the ninth and most blessed month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting it from dawn to sunset is the fourth pillar of Islam, and it is the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed (Qur’an 2:185).
The fast
Every adult, sane and healthy Muslim who is not travelling fasts from true dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib), abstaining from food, drink and marital relations. The sick, travellers, pregnant and breastfeeding women may postpone the fast and make it up later; the elderly who cannot fast feed a poor person for each day.
Laylat al-Qadr and the last ten nights
Laylat al-Qadr, “better than a thousand months” (Qur’an 97:3), falls in the last ten nights, most likely in an odd night. The Prophet ﷺ used to strive in worship during these nights more than at any other time and to spend them in i‘tikaf in the mosque (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).
Great events of Ramadan
The battle of Badr took place on 17 Ramadan 2 AH, and the conquest of Makkah in Ramadan 8 AH. The month ends with Zakat al-Fitr, paid before the Eid prayer, and with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal.
When does Ramadan start?
| Hijri year | First day | Last day | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1446 AH | Saturday 1 March 2025 | 29 March 2025 | 29 |
| 1447 AH | Wednesday 18 February 2026 | 19 March 2026 | 30 |
| 1448 AH | Monday 8 February 2027 | 8 March 2027 | 29 |
| 1449 AH | Friday 28 January 2028 | 25 February 2028 | 29 |
| 1450 AH | Tuesday 16 January 2029 | 13 February 2029 | 29 |
| 1451 AH | Saturday 5 January 2030 | 3 February 2030 | 30 |
| 1452 AH | Thursday 26 December 2030 | 23 January 2031 | 29 |
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar. Countries that rely on sighting the crescent may begin a month one day later (or earlier).
Occasions in Ramadan
Ramadan: questions
When does Ramadan 1448 start?
On 8 February 2027; it ends on 8 March 2027 after 29 days, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar.
When does Ramadan 1449 start?
On 28 January 2028, and it lasts 29 days.
Is Ramadan a sacred month?
No. The four sacred months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qa‘dah and Dhu al-Hijjah.
Which months come before and after Ramadan?
Sha‘ban comes before it and Shawwal after it.