Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and holds great significance for Muslims, marking a time for spiritual growth, increased devotion, and charity.
Ramadan 2025: Dates
Ramadan officially begins when the month of Shaban, the eighth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, ends.
In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday 28 February 2025, and will conclude on the evening of Sunday 30 March 2025, with the exact dates contingent upon the sighting of the moon.
Eid ul-Fitr lasts for one day, and is expected to take place on Sunday 30th March 2025 or Monday 31st March 2025, following the sighting of the moon.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the month during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and other physical needs during daylight hours. The fast is intended to help purify the body and soul, fostering empathy, gratitude, and self-discipline. It is also a time to increase acts of worship, such as praying (especially the nightly Taraweeh prayers), reading the Quran, and giving to charity.
Key Practices During Ramadan
- Fasting (Sawm): The most well-known practice during Ramadan is fasting. Muslims begin their fast before dawn with a pre-dawn meal called suhoor and break their fast at sunset with the iftar meal, typically starting with dates and water followed by a full meal.
- Increased Prayer: In addition to the five daily prayers (salah), Muslims also perform special Taraweeh prayers at night after the Isha prayer. These prayers are an important part of Ramadan, where the Quran is recited in segments over the course of the month.
- Reading the Quran: Ramadan is considered the month when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, so many Muslims aim to read the entire Quran during this month. Special Quranic recitations are also common in mosques.
- Charity (Zakat and Sadaqah): Ramadan is a time for giving, with Muslims encouraged to give charity (zakat, the obligatory alms, and sadaqah, voluntary charity) to help those in need. Acts of kindness, helping the poor, and providing meals for those who are fasting are all part of the Ramadan observance.
- Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr): This is the holiest night of Ramadan, believed to occur on one of the odd-numbered nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan, particularly the 27th night. It is thought to be the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad, and prayers on this night are considered especially powerful.
Eid al-Fitr: The Celebration at the End of Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the most joyous occasions in the Islamic calendar. It begins with the sighting of the new moon, signaling the end of fasting. On this day, Muslims come together for the Eid prayer, a special congregational prayer held in large open spaces or mosques.
The celebration includes:
- Prayers: The special Eid prayer is performed in congregation at the mosque or open fields.
- Feasts: After a month of fasting, Eid is a time for family gatherings and feasting. Muslims celebrate with traditional foods and sweets, sharing meals with family, friends, and neighbors.
- Charitable Giving: It is obligatory for Muslims to give Zakat al-Fitr (a form of charity) before the Eid prayer to help those less fortunate participate in the celebration.
Ramadan Around the World in 2025
While Ramadan is observed universally by Muslims, the customs and practices vary from country to country. In 2025, Muslims around the world will experience Ramadan during the early months of the year, which means the fasting hours will be shorter in northern hemisphere countries where days are getting longer and longer in the southern hemisphere. The community spirit of Ramadan, however, remains the same everywhere—united in worship, reflection, and charity.
- In the UK and Western Countries: Fasting hours will range from approximately 12-16 hours depending on the location, with longer days in places like northern Europe and shorter days in the southern parts of the world.
- In Middle Eastern Countries: In regions like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, Muslims will observe fasting with the unique cultural traditions that have developed over the centuries, including vibrant community iftars and special Ramadan festivals.
Conclusion
Ramadan 2025 will be a month filled with spiritual growth, community engagement, and acts of kindness for Muslims around the world. It is a time for personal reflection, deepening one’s connection to God, and helping those in need. Whether through fasting, prayer, or charity, Ramadan provides a special opportunity for Muslims to renew their faith, build compassion, and celebrate the spirit of unity.
