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Ramadan 2025: When is Ramadan? What is Ramadan?

When does Ramadan begin each year? What is Ramadan?

The Meaning and Traditions of Ramadan

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

This year, the holy month of Ramadan begins at the first sighting of the crescent Moon on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025. Learn about how—and why—Ramadan is observed.

What Is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered a holy month that honors the time when Allah, via the angel Gabriel, revealed the first verses of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, to a caravan trader named Muhammad.

When Is Ramadan? 

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin at sundown on Friday, February 28, and end at sundown on Sunday, March 30. The final evening of Ramadan consists of a celebration called Eid al-Fitr, when the traditional month-long fast is ended with a feast.

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The exact beginning and ending times of the month of Ramadan are based on the sighting of the first crescent Moon on the last night of the eighth month (Sha’ban). Specifically, Ramadan is said to begin at the first observance of the crescent Moon over Mecca, Saudi Arabia (or on a date predetermined by astronomical calculation). Because of this, start and end dates are not set in stone and may vary by a day.

The dates listed below are based on expected visibility, so they may differ slightly from those seen elsewhere.

Ramadan Dates
YearFirst Evening of Ramadan (fasting begins at dawn next day)Final Evening of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr)
2025Friday, February 28Sunday, March 30
2026Tuesday, February 17Wednesday, March 18
2027Sunday, February 7Monday, March 8
2028Thursday, January 27Friday, February 25

Traditions of Ramadan

Beginning at puberty, all Muslims (with certain exceptions, such as if one is ill, traveling, pregnant, elderly, etc.) take part in the month-long, dawn-to-sunset fast that is the hallmark of Ramadan. Muslims believe that fasting cleanses the body, and the practice reminds them of the suffering of the poor.

Eating and drinking (including water) is prohibited from dawn to sunset, and the day’s abstinence is offset by a predawn meal called sehri and a nightly meal known as iftar. For iftar, many traditionally break the fast by first eating dates, as the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have done to break his fast. Foods traditionally served at iftar vary, but food is often shared with a poor family during Ramadan.

At the end of the 29- or 30-day fast (depending on the length of the lunar cycle) is Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast), when there is much feasting and celebration!

To all those who observe Ramadan, we say Ramadan mubarak (“blessed Ramadan”)!

Holidays
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

This year, the holy month of Ramadan begins at the first sighting of the crescent Moon tonight. Learn about how—and why—Ramadan is observed.
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Amadu Jalloh</span> Wed, 06/17/2015 - 11:04
Is it haram for a Muslim man to marry a non Muslim woman? but later, able to convert her into Islam
<span>Fawzia</span> Tue, 01/05/2016 - 13:32
no, it is not haram to marry a non muslim woman,they are called women of the book ,in arabic al lal kitab along as they are chaste,it is a very good if they want to revert without force and come to the true and only religion islam
<span>Abdul Rahman</span> Sun, 05/19/2013 - 15:03
Marshallah!!!!.....
<span>Jlb</span> Wed, 03/20/2013 - 00:23
Yes I love it with all my heart.
<span>Mr. Ameen</span> Fri, 01/04/2013 - 07:03
Also important to mention Islam means submission to The God and Muslim means one who submits to The God. This is not a new religion as all taught the same from Adam to Abraham, Moses, Jesus to Muhammad (prayers of peace and blessings of The God be on all of them). The differences are primarily introduced by people. There is only One God and One Faith. God guide us all. Amin. I enjoyed reading all comments Peace
<span>Hajj</span> Mon, 12/24/2012 - 10:18
R U Kidding - He was NOT just a Prophet and Messenger of God but Muhammad (PBUH) was also a direct descendant of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), A Member of the Leading and well respected Families (Hashahmite / Quarish, a Father, a Husband, StatesMan, Founder and Leader of the First Islamic State, a General the sincerely cared for All of our welfare
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 12/10/2012 - 11:27
Phrase "desert-wandering" removed. Thank you for your feedback!
<span>Roger111</span> Mon, 11/26/2012 - 13:02
The terminology "desert-wandering caravan trader named Muhammad" Seems to imply that he was wandering the desert aimlessly. That is not accurate. He was a trader by profession. He used to take goods from Saudi Arabia to Syria, vice versa. He was also a philosopher and used to think a lot about creation of the universe, and wanted to get answers to the universal questions like "Why are we here?"
<span>A Follower Of Islam</span> Fri, 12/07/2012 - 16:04
You got it half right. Yes Mohammed (peace be upon him) was a trader in his early life, working for Gadaja (later became his wife for 25 years until her death – She was 16 years older). He did think about many things including why we are here and how (or who) created us. His people worshiped idols which he did not agree with and did not accept. At age 40, the angel Gabriel descended from heaven and informed Mohammed that he is Allah’s (God’s) chosen messenger to mankind with the message of Islam. Sorry, but he was not a philosopher. Calling him a philosopher has the implication that he concocted Islam based on his own vision and philosophy, not so.
<span>Jlb</span> Wed, 03/20/2013 - 00:21
His wife's name was Khadijah I am sure of this I named my daughter after her. May Allah give us all the best in this world and in the hereafter.