Everything you need to know about how Ramadan works — the fasting rules, suhoor and iftar, who is exempt, Taraweeh prayers, charity, the last 10 nights, and the deeper spiritual purpose behind Islam's holiest month.
The Basics of Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. For roughly 29 or 30 days, Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset — no food, no water, nothing entering the body during daylight hours.
But here's what most people miss: Ramadan isn't really about the hunger. The fasting is a tool. The actual point is spiritual growth, self-discipline, gratitude, and getting closer to Allah (God).
Think of it like a full reset. One month each year where you strip away the comforts and distractions to focus on what actually matters — your relationship with God, your character, your generosity, and your community.
How the Fasting Actually Works
Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal)
Every day starts before sunrise with a meal called suhoor (also spelled sehri or sahur). Muslims wake up — usually between 3am and 5am depending on location and time of year — eat a proper meal, drink plenty of water, and stop eating before the Fajr (dawn) prayer begins.
This isn't optional snacking. Suhoor is specifically encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said: "Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing." (Bukhari)
The Fast Itself
From the moment Fajr prayer enters until the sun sets (Maghrib prayer time), Muslims abstain from:
- Food and drink — yes, including water
- Smoking
- Intimate relations
But it goes beyond physical abstention. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up food and drink." (Bukhari)
So a proper fast also means:
- No backbiting, gossip, or lying
- No anger or unnecessary arguments
- No vulgar or offensive language
- Extra patience and kindness
Iftar (Breaking the Fast)
When the sun sets, Muslims break their fast — ideally with dates and water, following the Sunnah (practice) of the Prophet. This meal is called iftar.
In Muslim-majority countries, the call to prayer (adhan) signals that it's time. In the West, most Muslims use prayer time apps to know the exact minute.
Iftar is often a communal event — families gather, mosques host community meals, and friends invite each other over. It's one of the most social and beautiful aspects of Ramadan.
Who Fasts and Who Doesn't?
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam — it's obligatory for every adult Muslim who is physically and mentally able.
People who are exempt:
- Children — Fasting isn't required until puberty, though many kids start practising younger
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women — if fasting poses a health risk to mother or baby
- People who are ill — temporary illness means you make up the days later; chronic illness may mean paying fidyah (feeding a person in need for each missed day) instead
- Travellers — those on long journeys can postpone fasting
- Elderly — those who are too frail to fast pay fidyah instead
- Women during menstruation — they break the fast and make up the days after Ramadan
The key principle: Islam doesn't ask you to harm yourself. If fasting is genuinely dangerous for your health, you're not supposed to fast.
The Five Daily Prayers Don't Change — But More Are Added
Muslims already pray five times daily year-round. During Ramadan, the same five prayers continue:
- Fajr — Dawn
- Dhuhr — Midday
- Asr — Afternoon
- Maghrib — Sunset (when you break your fast)
- Isha — Night
What's added during Ramadan is Taraweeh — special nightly prayers performed after Isha. These are long, communal prayers where the entire Quran is typically recited over the course of the month in mosques worldwide.
Taraweeh is Sunnah (highly recommended), not obligatory. But most mosques fill up every night — it's one of the spiritual highlights of the month.
Quran and Ramadan: A Special Connection
Ramadan is called "the month of Quran" because the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during this month.
Muslims make a special effort to read, recite, and reflect on the Quran throughout Ramadan. Many aim to complete the entire Quran (which has 30 sections, called juz) — one juz per day.
You'll see Muslims reading Quran on their commute, during lunch breaks, before iftar, and after Taraweeh. It's one of the defining images of the month.
Charity Becomes Supercharged
Generosity is a massive part of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was described as being "more generous than the blowing wind" during Ramadan. (Bukhari)
There are two main forms of charity during this month:
Zakat (Obligatory Charity)
Many Muslims choose to pay their annual Zakat — 2.5% of their savings — during Ramadan because rewards for good deeds are multiplied. Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Sadaqah (Voluntary Charity)
Beyond Zakat, voluntary giving increases dramatically. Feeding fasting people, sponsoring iftar meals, donating to those in need — the spirit of giving is everywhere.
Zakat al-Fitr
Before Eid (the celebration at the end of Ramadan), every Muslim must pay Zakat al-Fitr — a small charity (usually equivalent to a meal's cost per family member) to ensure that everyone can enjoy Eid, including the poor.
The Last 10 Nights: The Most Intense Part
The final 10 nights of Ramadan are considered the holiest. This is when Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power/Decree) falls — described in the Quran as "better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3).
That means worship on this single night is worth more than 83 years of worship. Muslims don't know the exact date, but it falls on one of the odd-numbered nights of the last 10 (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th).
During these nights, many Muslims:
- Stay up the entire night in prayer and Quran recitation
- Make extensive dua (personal prayers/supplications)
- Some perform I'tikaf — staying in the mosque for the entire last 10 days, focused entirely on worship
What Happens After Ramadan?
Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon, and the next day is Eid al-Fitr — one of the two major celebrations in Islam.
Eid al-Fitr means "Festival of Breaking the Fast." Muslims:
- Perform a special Eid prayer in the morning
- Wear their best clothes
- Visit family and friends
- Exchange gifts (especially for children)
- Eat — openly and joyfully — during the day for the first time in a month
It's a day of pure celebration, gratitude, and community.
Common Misconceptions
"You can't even drink water?" Correct. The fast includes all food and drink. This is part of what makes it a genuine sacrifice and spiritual discipline.
"It must be unhealthy." Research actually shows that intermittent fasting can have health benefits. But more importantly, Islam exempts anyone for whom fasting is medically harmful.
"Isn't it harder in summer/northern countries?" Yes — fasting hours can range from 10 hours (near the equator or in winter) to 20+ hours (Scandinavia in summer). Muslims in extreme latitudes often follow scholarly guidance on adjusted timings.
"Everyone loses weight during Ramadan." You'd think so, but many people actually gain weight because iftar meals can be extravagant. The health-conscious approach is to eat moderately.
The Deeper Purpose
At its core, Ramadan is about taqwa — God-consciousness. The Quran says:
"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may develop taqwa (God-consciousness)." (Quran 2:183)
When you voluntarily give up basic needs that no one can physically stop you from having — you build discipline, empathy for those who go hungry involuntarily, and a deeper awareness of God in every moment of your day.
That's how Ramadan works. Not just physically, but spiritually. It's one month that shapes the other eleven.
