🌙 What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar — the month in which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is able.
Allah says: "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwa (God-consciousness)." — Quran 2:183
🍽️ The Daily Routine: Suhoor & Iftar
🌅 Suhoor (Pre-dawn Meal)
Eaten before the Fajr adhan. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Eat Suhoor, for in Suhoor there is blessing." (Bukhari)
- Eat slow-release energy foods: oats, eggs, wholemeal bread
- Include protein and healthy fats to stay full longer
- Drink plenty of water — hydration is key
- Eat dates and bananas for sustained energy
- Avoid very salty or spicy foods
🌇 Iftar (Breaking the Fast)
Eat when the Maghrib adhan is called at sunset. The Sunnah is to break your fast with dates and water.
- Start with an odd number of dates and water
- Pray Maghrib before eating a full meal
- Don't overeat — eat moderately as per the Sunnah
- Include soup, salad and a balanced main course
- Say the dua: "Dhahaba adh-dhama'u wabtallatil-'urooqu wa thabatal-ajru in shaa'Allah"
🕌 Prayers in Ramadan
The Five Daily Prayers
Continue praying the five obligatory prayers. If you're new to prayer, see our How to Pray guide. Don't forget Wudu (ablution) before each prayer.
Taraweeh (Night Prayers)
Taraweeh is a special voluntary prayer performed every night during Ramadan after Isha prayer. It is typically 8 or 20 rak'ahs depending on tradition, and the entire Quran is often recited over the month in congregational Taraweeh.
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Tip: If you can't pray at the mosque, you can pray Taraweeh at home — even 2 rak'ahs is rewarding. Use the
Quran reader to follow along.
Qiyam al-Layl (Last Third of the Night)
The last third of the night is the most blessed time for voluntary prayer and dua. Learn more about Qiyam al-Layl and how to establish a routine.
📖 Quran in Ramadan
Many Muslims aim to complete the entire Quran during Ramadan. The Quran has 30 Juz (parts) — reading 1 Juz per day completes it by month's end.
✨ Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Power)
Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night of the year — the night the Quran was revealed. Worship on this night is "better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3).
- When: One of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th). Most commonly sought on the 27th.
- What to do: Pray, read Quran, make dua, give charity, seek forgiveness.
- Dua of Laylatul Qadr: "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni" — "O Allah, You are the Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me." (Tirmidhi)
🤲 Essential Ramadan Duas
Dua for Breaking the Fast
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ العُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
"The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is assured, if Allah wills." (Abu Dawud)
Dua for Laylatul Qadr
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
"O Allah, You are the Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me." (Tirmidhi)
Explore more duas in our Dua Library, including Duas for Anxiety and Duas Before Sleep.
💰 Zakat & Zakat al-Fitr
Ramadan is the most popular time to pay annual Zakat. If your wealth exceeds the Nisab for one lunar year, you owe 2.5%.
⏰ Practical Tips for a Productive Ramadan
- 📅 Set a Quran reading schedule — 1 Juz per day to finish in 30 days
- ⏰ Set alarms for Suhoor and Fajr — don't sleep through Suhoor
- 💤 Take a short nap after Dhuhr to recharge for night worship
- 🤲 Make a dua list — write down specific duas to make each night
- 📴 Limit screen time — use freed-up time for Quran and worship
- 🕌 Pray Taraweeh in congregation when possible for more reward
- 📿 Do morning and evening adhkar — see our Adhkar guide
- 💰 Plan your Zakat and charity — double the reward in Ramadan
Who Is Exempt from Fasting?
- Children who have not reached puberty
- The elderly who are too weak to fast (pay fidyah instead)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women if fasting harms them or the baby
- Travellers on a journey (make up days later)
- Those who are ill (make up days when recovered)
- Women during menstruation (make up days later)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ramadan and why do Muslims fast?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar in which the Quran was revealed. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims abstain from food, drink and other needs from dawn to sunset as worship, self-discipline and empathy with those less fortunate.
What can you eat during Ramadan?
During fasting hours (dawn to sunset), nothing is eaten or drunk. Outside fasting hours, Muslims eat Suhoor (pre-dawn) and Iftar (sunset). Good Suhoor foods include oats, eggs, dates and water. Iftar traditionally starts with dates and water followed by a balanced meal.
Who is exempt from fasting in Ramadan?
Children before puberty, the elderly unable to fast, pregnant/breastfeeding women (if harmful), travellers, the ill, and women during menstruation. Temporary exemptions require making up missed days later; permanent exemptions require fidyah (feeding a poor person per day).
What is Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power)?
The most blessed night of the year — the night the Quran was first revealed. It falls on one of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan (most commonly the 27th). Worship on it is "better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3).
What is Zakat al-Fitr?
A mandatory charity given before Eid al-Fitr prayer: ~2.5 kg of staple food (or ~€7–15) per household member. It purifies the fast and provides food for the poor on Eid day.