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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

Catherine Boeckmann
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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 loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

Noora (not verified)

7 months 3 weeks ago

Yesterday I saw a moon next new moon

Prayer (not verified)

8 months ago

mashaa allaah now you are deciding when is ramadan is starting without Hilal being investigated ?
no my sister this is incorrect , this is an titative date and expectations , Saudi Arabia and other countries have to investigate Hilal on 10th evening, then they will decide if its 12th or 13th but its not 10th please correct your informations

Ibrahim Yusuf … (not verified)

9 months 3 weeks ago

Alhamdulillahi Ala Ni'imatil Ramadan.
Masha Allah.

muslimah (not verified)

1 year 7 months ago

Salam Alaykum,
May Allah reward you for spreading the knowledge of Islam to benefit others. Just to bring to your attention that while some of the benefits of Ramadan include cleansing the body and a reminder of the state of those that are poor. The foremost reason of Ramadan (Fasting) is to attain God-consciousness (Taqwa or piety).

Barakalahu fee kum

I agree 100 per cent Musilmah that the foremost reason of Ramadan should be to attain God consciousness. I have been meditating and doing breath work with my friends from India now for 13 years and I have a Guru also from India. I also have not eaten any meat (animals) for 13 years as well. In my opinion, if you eat meat on a daily basis, you cannot cleanse your body although I know the Muslims way of killing animals is not as bad as Western man's method.

Some people do fasting without praying or attending any place of preaching, I just want to advise some that instead of doing fasting without sallah is better to do sallah and leave fasting that is question thanks

Some people do fasting without praying or attending any place of preaching, I just want to advise some that instead of doing fasting without sallah is better to do sallah and leave fasting that is question thanks

why do so many muslims become so aggressive during a time when they are seeking God consciousness. The actions of muslims on THE TEMPLE MOUNT and the AL Aqsa Mosque denies your claims

Because they act like their god. Full of hatred and self. And there is no peace in him. Just war and bloodshed from his beginning till now.