When is Ramadan 2024? What to know about the Islamic month of fasting
Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, prayer and devotion to God, will be in March this year.
In 2024, the holy month begins on Monday, March 11 and is expected to end on Tuesday, April 9. The timing of Ramadan follows the lunar cycle and is dependent on the sighting of a crescent moon at the first and end of the month. The fasting period typically lasts between 29-30 days.
The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr or “the feast of fast breaking” which is expected to be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10 this year.
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Here is what we know about the Islamic month of fasting.
When is the first day Ramadan in 2024?
According to Islamic Finder, the first day of Ramadan in 2024 will begin on Monday March 11, and end on Tuesday, April 9.
Ramadan follows the lunar cycle, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr is dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon. Eid al-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on Wednesday April 10.
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, is the ninth month in the Islamic Calendar which begins and ends with a crescent moon. It celebrates when the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad in 610 CE. Throughout the month Ramadan is celebrated through daily fasting, prayer, charity, focus to God and self-discipline and self-sacrifice.
During Ramadan, sawm, one of the pillars of Islam, is observed. While Sawm may mean to fast, it can also be interpreted to refrain from dawn to dusk, food, drink, and all forms of “immoral behavior.”
According to the Quran, eating and drinking are only permissible until the “white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn.” The fast can be broken after an evening prayer with a meal called ifṭār that is often shared with loved ones.
The end of fasting during Ramadan is celebrated during Eid al- Fitr.
What is forbidden during Ramadan?
According to USA TODAY, Muslims who have reached puberty and are physically capable of fasting, must abstain from liquids, food, sexual activities, gossip, negative thoughts and bad intentions from dawn to dusk.
Who is exempt from fasting?
According to Britannica, anyone who becomes ill or has to travel, extra fasting days can be substituted after Ramadan ends. Pregnant, nursing women, children, the elderly, those who are weak, travelers on long journeys, and those who may experience mental illness are exempt from fasting.
How long do you fast for Ramadan?
Fasting is observed from the start of Ramadan to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. This can be anywhere from 29-30 days depending on the citing of the crescent moon.
When is Eid al-Fitr?
Because the start of the holiday depends on when the new moon is seen, Eid al-Fitr begins at a different time for different countries. It’s expected to begin around April 9.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When is Ramadan 2024? What to know about the Islamic month of fasting
