Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
This article is about religious observances during the month of Ramadan.
For the actual calendar month, see Ramadan (calendar month). For other uses, see Ramadan (disambiguation).
Ramadan (/ˌræməˈdɑːn/; Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān, IPA: [ramaˈdˤaːn]; also romanized as Ramazan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan)
is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,[3] and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month
of fasting (Sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief
This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam
The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon
according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths
The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness
Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an illness
travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, chronically ill or going through menstrual bleeding
Fasting the month of Ramadan was made obligatory (wājib) during the month of Sha'ban
in the second year after the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina
Fatwas have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a natural
phenomenon such as the midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca
but the more commonly accepted opinion is that Muslims in those areas should follow
the timetable of the closest country to them in which night can be distinguished from day