What is Ramadan for Muslims?

What is Ramadan for Muslims?

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, and it holds special significance for Muslims as it is the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the Night of Laylat al-Qadr, one of the last ten nights of Ramadan.

In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a crucial month, especially in the United Arab Emirates, where it is considered the month of goodness, piety, and generosity. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, refraining from food and drink. Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of the five pillars of Islam.

The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by the sighting of the crescent moon through the Islamic lunar calendar, with the month lasting either 29 or 30 days.

The first day of Ramadan in the UAE follows the official announcement from the moon-sighting committee in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Mecca is the holiest city in the Islamic world, being the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the location where the Quran was first revealed. Hence, the Islamic world follows Saudi Arabia’s announcement for the start of Ramadan.

Ramadan begins according to the Islamic lunar calendar, which consists of 354 days. Consequently, it advances approximately 11 days each year compared to the Gregorian calendar.

Muslims greet each other on this occasion by saying “Ramadan Kareem.”