what is ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the holiest month for Muslims. It is primarily known as the month of fasting, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, and other specific behaviors. The fasting during Ramadan is a devotional act intended to cultivate God-consciousness, self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate, and spiritual renewal. It also involves increased prayer, reading of the Quran, introspection, and communal gatherings. The fasting begins with a pre- dawn meal called suhoor and ends each day with a meal known as iftar. Ramadan commemorates the month in which the Quran, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The month lasts 29 to 30 days, depending on the lunar cycle. The end of Ramadan is marked by the festive celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which is a day of prayer, feasting, and community gatherings. Fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are physically able, but exceptions are made for those who are ill, traveling, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating. The spiritual goal of Ramadan fasting is to achieve taqwa—God-consciousness or mindfulness of God. Overall, Ramadan is a deeply spiritual and communal time for Muslims worldwide, emphasizing worship, gratitude, self-restraint, and renewal of faith. This explanation is based on multiple detailed descriptions of Ramadan and its significance in Islam[citations: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7].