The complete guide to wishing someone for Ramadan. What to say, when to say it, greetings in different languages, sample messages for colleagues, friends, and family, and what NOT to say to someone who's fasting.
You Want to Say the Right Thing — Here's How
Ramadan is here, and you want to wish your Muslim friend, colleague, neighbour, or partner well. But you're not sure what to say. Is "Happy Ramadan" okay? Should you try the Arabic? What if you pronounce it wrong?
Relax. The fact that you care enough to ask means you're already doing it right. Here's your complete guide to Ramadan greetings — what to say, when to say it, and what it means.
The Most Common Ramadan Greetings
1. "Ramadan Mubarak" — The Universal Classic
Pronunciation: Ra-ma-DAAN Mu-BAA-rak
Meaning: "Blessed Ramadan" or "Have a blessed Ramadan"
When to use: At any point during Ramadan — the first day, the middle, the last day. It works all month long.
This is your safest bet. It's universally understood, always appropriate, and appreciated by every Muslim regardless of their cultural background. If you only learn one phrase, make it this one.
2. "Ramadan Kareem" — The Generous Greeting
Pronunciation: Ra-ma-DAAN Ka-REEM
Meaning: "Generous Ramadan" — implying that the month itself is generous with blessings and spiritual rewards.
When to use: Same as Ramadan Mubarak — anytime during the month.
A small note: Some scholars prefer "Ramadan Mubarak" over "Ramadan Kareem" because the blessings come from God rather than the month itself. But in everyday use, both are completely accepted and appreciated. Don't overthink it.
3. "Happy Ramadan" — The English Version
Perfectly fine. If Arabic feels uncomfortable, "Happy Ramadan" or "Wishing you a blessed Ramadan" works. Muslims know you mean well, and the sentiment matters more than the language.
4. "Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum" — The Traditional Islamic Greeting
Pronunciation: Ta-qab-bal Al-LAA-hu MIN-na wa MIN-kum
Meaning: "May Allah accept (the worship) from us and from you"
When to use: This is more commonly used between Muslims, especially at the end of Ramadan and during Eid. If you're non-Muslim and want to go the extra mile, Muslims will be deeply touched that you learned this.
When to Wish Someone
At the Start of Ramadan
- The first day (or even a day or two before) is perfect
- A simple "Ramadan Mubarak!" text, message, or in-person greeting
- If you're not sure exactly when Ramadan starts (the date varies), a message saying "Ramadan Mubarak when it begins!" is thoughtful
During Ramadan
- Anytime! There's no wrong time during the month
- Seeing a colleague for the first time after Ramadan started? "Ramadan Mubarak" works perfectly
- It's also nice to check in midway: "How's your Ramadan going?"
At Iftar (Breaking the Fast)
- If you're with someone at iftar time, you can say: "May your fast be accepted"
- Or simply: "Enjoy your iftar!"
At the End of Ramadan (Eid)
- When Ramadan ends, the greeting shifts to: "Eid Mubarak!" (Blessed Eid)
- This is for the celebration day, not the last day of fasting
Ramadan Messages for Different Relationships
For a Colleague or Boss
Text/Email:
"Ramadan Mubarak! Wishing you a peaceful and blessed month. Let me know if there's anything I can do to make things easier at work during this time."
Why it works: Professional, warm, and shows awareness that Ramadan affects their schedule.
For a Friend
Text/WhatsApp:
"Ramadan Mubarak bro/sis! Hope the fasting goes smoothly. Let's catch up after iftar sometime this month 🌙"
Why it works: Casual, genuine, and includes an invitation — iftar is social time.
For a Neighbour
Card or in-person:
"Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family! Wishing you a beautiful month."
Why it works: Simple and kind. If you want to go further, dropping off a plate of food near iftar time is an incredibly thoughtful gesture.
For a Partner or Close Family Member
Personal message:
"Ramadan Mubarak, my love. I'm proud of you for fasting and I'm here to support you however I can this month. May it bring you peace and closeness to Allah."
Why it works: Shows support and understanding of how important the month is to them.
For Social Media
"Ramadan Mubarak to all our Muslim friends and community! Wishing you 30 days of blessings, patience, and growth. 🌙"
"Wishing a blessed Ramadan to everyone observing this month. May it be filled with peace, reflection, and community."
What NOT to Say
Don't Say: "I could never do that"
Why: It minimises the practice. Muslims have been doing this since childhood — it's meaningful, not torturous.
Say instead: "That takes real dedication. Respect."
Don't Say: "Not even water?!"
Why: It's the single most repeated question every Muslim hears every Ramadan. It gets old.
Say instead: "How long are you fasting today?" (This is a genuinely interesting question that varies by location and season.)
Don't Say: "What if you just... don't fast?"
Why: Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It's like asking a Christian what if they just skip Christmas.
Say instead: Nothing. Just respect the practice.
Don't Say: "You must lose so much weight!"
Why: Reduces a profound spiritual practice to a diet. Also, many Muslims actually gain weight during Ramadan from elaborate iftar meals.
Say instead: Literally anything else.
Don't Say: "That can't be healthy"
Why: Unsolicited medical opinions about a 1,400-year-old practice aren't helpful. Islam already exempts people who can't fast safely.
Say instead: "How are you feeling? Let me know if you need anything."
Going Beyond Words: Thoughtful Actions
The best Ramadan wishes aren't always verbal. Here are actions that speak louder:
At Work
- Don't schedule lunch meetings with fasting colleagues if possible
- Shift team socials to after sunset when they can join
- Acknowledge the month — a brief message in the team chat or a card means a lot
- Be flexible with schedules — they might be running on less sleep
As a Friend
- Invite them to dinner after sunset — iftar is social time
- Don't pressure them to come to events centred around food during the day
- Send a care package — dates, tea, snacks for suhoor (pre-dawn meal)
- Ask genuine questions — most Muslims love sharing about Ramadan with people who actually want to learn
As a Neighbour
- Drop off food near sunset — even store-bought, the gesture is what counts
- Keep noise down during early morning hours — suhoor and Fajr prayer happen around 4-5am
- A Ramadan card for Muslim neighbours is a beautiful touch
As a Business
- Acknowledge Ramadan on social media if your audience includes Muslims
- Offer Ramadan-friendly options — adjusted hours, iftar menus, etc.
- Don't treat it as a marketing gimmick — authenticity matters
Ramadan Greetings in Different Languages
Muslims are incredibly diverse. Here are Ramadan greetings in various languages:
| Language | Greeting | Pronunciation | |----------|----------|---------------| | Arabic | رمضان مبارك (Ramadan Mubarak) | Ra-ma-daan Mu-baa-rak | | Turkish | Ramazanınız mübarek olsun | Ra-ma-zan-uh-nuz mu-ba-rek ol-sun | | Urdu/Hindi | Ramadan Mubarak / Ramzan Mubarak | Ram-zaan Mu-baa-rak | | Malay/Indonesian | Selamat berpuasa | Se-la-mat ber-pwa-sa | | Farsi | Ramazan Mobarak | Ra-ma-zan Mo-ba-rak | | Somali | Ramadan wanaagsan | Ra-ma-daan wa-naag-san | | Swahili | Ramadan Kareem / Heri ya Ramadan | Same as Arabic / He-ri ya Ra-ma-daan | | French | Bon Ramadan | Bon Ra-ma-daan | | Bengali | Ramadan Mubarak | Same as Arabic |
Send a Ramadan Gift That Means Something
Words are powerful — but pairing your Ramadan greeting with a thoughtful gift makes it unforgettable:
- Instant Prayer Khimar — A beautiful, practical gift for any Muslimah. $24.90
- Modal Jersey Hijab — A premium everyday hijab she'll actually love. $16.90
- Embroidered Kufi — A simple, meaningful gift for him. $14.90
- Classic White Thobe — The perfect Ramadan-to-Eid gift. $38.90
The Bottom Line
Wishing someone well for Ramadan is simple: "Ramadan Mubarak" covers you in every situation. But the best Ramadan greeting isn't about getting the Arabic perfect — it's about showing that you see and respect something that matters deeply to 1.8 billion people.
Say it with sincerity, and it'll mean the world.
