Quantcast
Ramadan 2023: When Does Ramadan Begin and End? | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Order Your Almanac Today!

Ramadan 2023: What is Ramadan?

When does Ramadan begin each year? What is Ramadan?

No content available.

The Meaning and Traditions of Ramadan

The Editors
March 16, 2023
Print Friendly and PDF

This year, the holy month of Ramadan begins at the first sighting of the crescent Moon on the evening of Wednesday, March 22. 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 Wednesday, March 22, and end at sundown on Friday, April 21. The final evening of Ramadan consists of a celebration called Eid al-Fitr, when the traditional month-long fast is ended with a feast.

Read Next

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 pre-determined 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 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)
2023Wednesday, March 22Friday, April 21
2024Sunday, March 10Monday, April 9
2025Friday, February 28Sunday, March 30
2026Tuesday, February 17Wednesday, March 18

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 pre-dawn 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

More Like This

Comments

muslimah (not verified)

2 months 2 weeks 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

April Austin (not verified)

3 months ago

I enjoy the blessings of Allah and reading about Allah ta Allah

Hamdan Wirandh… (not verified)

1 year 2 months ago

The land get smaller, the ocean get bigger. Coldwar set to fall out. Get well &/ keep well. Sehry &/ iftar. Good &/ bad. Done something despairing into molecular.

Ibn Muhammad (not verified)

2 years 1 month ago

Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar) is 29 to 30 days long. If the moon is sighted after sunset on the 29th day, it means Ramadan has ended and Shawwal (the tenth month of the Islamic Calendar) has started. If the moon isn’t sighted, it means Ramadan will complete 30 days, which will be until sunset of the next day. From sunset, Shawwal will start, and the first day of Shawwal is Eid Al-Fitr, not the last day of Ramadan.

Mr L Jones (not verified)

2 years 1 month ago

I'm. Fasting. For. Ramadan. Sun down. Is this. Right. Time. To. Eat!!

Eddie Clark (not verified)

2 years 1 month ago

Gabriel came to Mary mother of Jesus

Olatunde Aleem (not verified)

2 years 1 month ago

Just to thank you once again for sharing the message of Allah especially during the month of Ramadan. You have done noble for yourself and I assure you that good rewards awaits you.May Allah accept our good intentions as act of Ibadah and overlook our errors and mistakes that we may make in the course passing the message of Allah and His Rasul Lahi SAW.

Safiah (not verified)

2 years 1 month ago

Thank you for sharing this article and for researching and making corrections. I'm Muslim ans I do observe Ramadan. I would just like to add that it is the most peaceful, humbling time of the year for us. We love and cherish Ramadan.