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Muslim families all over the world are preparing for Ramadan.

In 2024, Ramadan is expected to start on the evening of 10 March in the UK.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it officially starts with the first sighting of the new moon. Its date in the Gregorian calendar changes every year.

It's an incredibly important time as it remembers the month in which, according to Muslim tradition, the Prophet Muhammad first received revelations of the Qur’an.

If you’ve heard of Ramadan but don’t know much about it, here are five words that will give you an understanding of what it means and how it’s marked by Muslim families. You may see these words spelt differently. They are transliterations from Arabic, and different Muslim communities may have adopted other versions of these words depending on where they are from or based.

Sawm

During Ramadan Muslims fast between dawn and sunset. Sawm literally means ‘to refrain’, and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam – the five duties that every Muslim must follow in order to live a good and responsible life. While Sawm specifically refers to abstaining from eating and drinking, it is also understood to include other actions, such as behaving badly or telling lies.

Fasting is an obligatory act of worship for Muslims. The experience could include feeling closer to God, appreciating God’s gifts, developing empathy towards those who aren’t as fortunate, becoming spiritually stronger, and taking part in a shared experience with other Muslims.

Although it is a very important part of Ramadan, not everyone has to fast: young children, pregnant women, elderly people and those who are ill or travelling are exempt. If someone can’t fast during Ramadan due to valid, temporary circumstances, it is possible to make up for the fast at a later date.

Suhur

Just before dawn during the month of Ramadan, Muslims will eat a simple meal called Suhur to prepare them for the fasting ahead.

Suhur doesn’t include any specific dishes or ingredients, but it’s common to eat foods that release energy throughout the day, such as bananas or wholegrains, as they will give those who are fasting good sustenance.

The main principle of Suhur is moderation. The recommended practice is to eat something rather than nothing, but not excessively.

Iftar

The meal at the end of the fast, when the Sun has gone down, is called Iftar, and usually families and friends will get together for it.

Many Muslims will break fast with dates and some water, as this is what the Prophet Muhammad would do. A bigger meal is consumed a little later, normally after the evening prayer.

Feeding a fasting person is considered a very good action in Islam, and charity is particularly important during the month of Ramadan, so meals are often organised to provide for the broader community and for those in need.

If you have been invited to attend Iftar, remember to be punctual, as for those who have been fasting it’s very important to break fast at the right time.

Tarawih

Tarawih or Taraweeh is a prayer that’s only performed during Ramadan and takes place every night of the holy month. Tarawih is voluntary and can be performed either alone or in a congregation.

Reading and reciting the Qur’an is particularly important during Ramadan, and some worshippers may choose to do so in addition to performing Tarawih.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr translates as ‘the festival of the breaking of the fast’.

It takes place right after the end of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims are not allowed to fast on Eid.

Celebrations involve decorating the house and spending time with family and friends. It’s a tradition to wear new clothes, attend services in mosques and give money to charity before Eid prayers. Many people will also have a big meal with their families and friends, and exchange gifts.

This article was published in March 2022

How to wish a happy Ramadan and Eid

• Ramadan Mubarak (Blessed Ramadan)
• Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid)