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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims around the world fast and commemorate the first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad according to Muslim belief. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims will fast from dawn to dusk - and are expected to abstain from eating, drinking and bad habits. The end of the fasting day is marked with dates, water, and a meal. Here are some fun facts about Ramadan: 1. Fasting Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs. 2. Dates The dates of Ramadan change each year because the Islamic calendar is based on the moon's cycles. 3. Nightly prayers Muslims offer special nightly prayers called Tarawih, during which the Quran is often recited in its entirety. 4. Charity Ramadan encourages acts of charity. 5. Reflection Ramadan is a time for Muslims to reflect on their lives and improve spiritually. 6. Social Ramadan is a highly social time when Muslims invite each other to breakfast together and meet for prayers at the mosque. 7. Fast-breaking The fast is broken with dates and water, as per the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. 8.Night of Power Ramadan includes "The Night of Power" when Muslims believe God first spoke to the Prophet Muhammad. 9. History The first Ramadan was observed in 622 A.D. in Medina during a time of intense heat. 10. Name The name “Ramadan” comes from an Arabic root referring to intense heat.
