Everything You Need To Know About Ramadan 2025

The significance of Ramadan begins with the moon-sighting phase. The Islamic calendar follows the phases of the moon which is better known as the lunar cycle to bifurcate the entire year into twelve Islamic months, Ramadan being one of them. The holy month of Ramadan falls 10 days earlier every year.

• Ramadan 2025 is expected to start around February 28th, (with a possibility of a few days variation).

• Ramadan lasts for the duration of 29 or 30 days (as per moon sightings across the world).

• Taraweeh Prayers are offered along with Isha prayer during the whole month until the last sighting of the moon for Eid is announced.

• The holiest night of Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) is one of the last ‘ashra’ auspicious nights of Ramadan. Some scholars narrate in the light of hadiths that it is the 27th night of Ramadan.

• The night of Laylat-al-Qadr might fall on March 27. Check the ISNA Ramadan calendar online for updated Suhoor and Iftar timings.

• The Eid-ul-Fitr celebration is estimated to start around March 30(with a possible difference of one or two days). Again, it depends on the moon sighting.

Let’s explore the spiritual aspects of Ramadan preparation.

Intention
It all begins with intention (niyyah) for the holy month. Reflect on your Ramadan ambitions including increasing knowledge, improving habits, practising patience, becoming more charitable, and setting various spiritual goals.

Quranic Connection
The Quran is a bridge between Allah and Muslims. Strengthening your relationship with the Quran by reading it alongside the translation and in-depth narration is a step toward success in your spiritual journey.

Knowledge Seeking
Attend Islamic lectures, workshops, or webinars about Ramadan to understand its importance. Learning more about the essence of Ramadan in Islamic injunctions is a profound addition to your knowledge and experience.

Enhanced Prayers
Many Muslims opt to incorporate extra prayers in the form of ‘nafl’, ‘tahajjud’, and ‘sunnah’ prayers. They also offer more supplications, ‘duas’, to seek guidance and mercy from Allah. This streamlines your connection with Allah.

 

Some key physical aspects that correlate with Ramadan preparation are as follows:

Sleep Cycle Adjustment
Adjust your sleep pattern and timings to accommodate the timings for Suhoor and Taraweeh prayers. This requires sleeping in a timely manner so you get enough rest and can fully reap the benefits of this blessed month.

Eating Habits Variation
Improve your eating habits so your body can function well while fasting. Lower your sugar and caffeine intake to ditch lethargic feelings. Take nutritious meals in small portions to make way for a smooth fasting experience.

More Hydration
Increase your water intake to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day and avoid falling ill. Drink more water during non-fasting and enhance your hydrating by adding electrolytes.

The sunset prayer, Maghrib, indicates the end of that day’s fast. Muslims break their fasts with a date, as is the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This fruit contains valuable nutrients with multiple health benefits. Iftar is the meal that follows. It is encouraged for Muslims to break their fasts alongside family, friends, and other community members when they can..

According to Tirimdhi:

Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “When any of you breaks fast, let him with dates for they are truly blessed. If not easily accessible, let him with water for it is pure”.

• Sawm, fasting, is a way to show devotion to Allah. The purpose is to abandon worldly desires and needs, and focus solely on their relationship with Allah. Fasting teaches self-control, gives us a sense of introspection, makes us reflect on our true purpose in life (to worship Allah), and acts as a way for us to reap unique benefits and rewards from Allah.

• It is one of the five Islamic pillars and is mandatory for able-bodied Muslims during Ramadan (with exceptions for those who are exempt). Other than this holy month, Muslims are allowed to keep the Sawm any time of the year as a form of worship or to make up for the lost fasts.

• The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle while the modern age follows the Gregorian calendar.

• Fasting is exempt for menstruating women, breastfeeding or pregnant women, people suffering from ill health, or those who are unable to fast due to any good cause.

• Muslims unable to fast and unable to make up those pasts need to pay Fidya (charitable compensation for missed fasts).

• If a Muslim intentionally breaks their fast during Ramadan, they must compensate for it in the form of Kaffarah (expiation) for breaking an Islamic law.

Eid is a celebratory event at the end of Ramadan. It is a time of sharing smiles, giving nice gifts to children and spending quality time with loved ones. It is important to stay updated from your local mosque for any community activities and dates confirmation.

Before Ramadan says goodbye and the special Eid-al-Fitr prayer commences, it is obligatory for all Muslims to donate Zakat al-Fitr as an aid to help the less fortunate. It is a compulsory donation in the form of cash or a staple food item. You can donate Zakat al-Fitr or Zakat (charity) through ISNA.

• Zakat al-Fitr needs to be paid at the end of Ramadan. It is also allowed to donate it in advance to ensure a timely delivery to those who need it.

• Some people make this donation on Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), as it is narrated as a night when the reward for charitable deeds is multiplied.

• The best way to make the most of the month is to plan charitable activities before the start of Ramadan. This can be allocating money, food, or time to support those in your community who need extra help.

• Strengthen your family and community ties by inviting those who are spending Ramadan alone to Iftars or virtual gatherings to foster a sense of faith and community interaction.

• Share the significance of Ramadan and its spiritual values with non-Muslim friends and colleagues to foster understanding of your practices.

Some practical tips to add value to this holy month.

• Clean and organize your home for a distraction-free environment to make it more conducive for worship.

• Plan proper nutritious food for Suhoor and Iftar meals. It will help fuel you throughout the fasting hours.

• Set a worship schedule to enhance your focus on spiritual activities. Balance your prayers with daily responsibilities.

Ramadan is not about abstaining from drinking and eating food. It is a time to relax your burdened souls and purify the heart by increasing righteous deeds and showing empathy toward others. Make the most of the blessed month of Ramadan to reconnect with your faith.