Ramadan is to Thank God for Revelation of the Qur'an

Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic lunar calendar when Muslims worldwide fast to thank God for revealing His guidance in the form of Qur'an.

Qur'an describes it in the following verses: "Ramadan is the month in which We sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong). " these verses end is saying "to glorify Him in that He has guided you and perchance you shall be grateful." (Al Baqarah 2: 185).

Thus fasting Ramadan is to thank God for revealing Qur'an that serves three purposes: 1. as a guide to mankind; 2. clear signs for guidance; 3. judgement between right and wrong.

Some scholars mention that an original Qur'an is preserved in Loh Mahfooz, Preserved Tablet and kept there and came to the earth gradually. It is the Quran that says regarding itself that it has its original tablet preserved. Thus it signifies that the Qur'an we have is a copy of that original and came to the earth gradually from that original.

Fasting in Ramadan becomes obligatory for children when they reach puberty, usually around ages 12-14 when they are physically and mentally capable. While not mandatory before this, parents should teach their children to 'practice" fasting for short periods around 7 or 10 depending on their health and endurance. According to Islam Q&A the age of 10 years is more likely because the Prophet (blessings of Allah on him) enjoined smacking children for not praying at this age.

According to Al Jazeera news agency in 2026 the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is set to begin on February 18 or 19 depending on the sighing of the crescent moon. During this month, which lasts 29 or 30 days, Muslims observe the fast and refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, typically for a period of 12 to 15 hours, depending on their location.

Muslims believe Ramadan is the month when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet (PBOH) more than 1,400 years ago when he was meditating in the cave of Hira on the mountain close to Mecca. The first words were Iqra meaning "Read" or "Proclaim aloud" understood for an account of the circumstances in which the first revelation, the divine message to preach and proclaim God's message came to the Prophet (PBOH). He was unversed, but his mind and soul were filled with spiritual knowledge. Now had come the time, when he must stand to the world and declare his message.

It is generally agreed that these were the first words revealed: "Proclaim (or Read)! In the name of Thy Lord and Cherisher, who created- Created man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:

Proclaim! And thy Lord is more Bountiful - He who taught (the use of) the Pen- Taught man that which he knew not." (Al Alaq 96:1-5).

The declaration was in the Allah, the Creator. It was not for any personal benefit for himself. It was a call of Allah for the benefit of erring humanity. The Message was direct concrete from Allah to the creatures that He loves and cherishes.

Al Jazeera said that for nearly 90% of the World population living in the Northern Hemisphere, the number of days will be a bit shorter this year and will continue to decease until 2031, when Ramadan will encompass the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. For Muslims living south of the equator, the number of fasting hours will be longer than last year.

Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year by 11 days, Ramadan will be observed twice in the year 2030, first beginning on January 5 and then starting on December 26.

The number of daylight hours vary across the world. Since it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, people living there will have the shortest fasts, lasting about 12 to 13 on the first day, the duration increasing throughout the month.

People living in the Southern Hemisphere as in Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa will have the longest fast lasting about 14 to 15 hours on the first day, with the number of fasting hours decreasing throughout the month.

it is customary to get up before the Fajar (morning) prayer and have a light Suhur meal.

Muslims observe the daylight hours in Ramadan by fasting, praying and reading Quran. They are supposed to read the entire Quran once during Ramadan and then once during the remainder of the year.

In the evening they say Ramadan special Tarawih prayers, normally in congregation and with reading of the entire Quran.

There is a special night in the month of Ramadan when the Qur'an was started being revealed to the Prophet. It is called Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, as described in the following verses: "We have indeed revealed this message in the Night of Power. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God's permission on every errand: Peace... This until the rise of Morn." (Al Qadr 97: 1-5). A thousand months equals 82 years. almost the lifetime of a human.

There are many blessings associated with night.

The Prophet said, "whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven: and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.