Ramadan (calendar month)

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This article is about the Islamic calendar month called Ramadan. For information about the holiday and religious observances by the same name, see Ramadan (religious observances).

Islamic Calendar
Muharram Safar Rabi' al-awwal Rabi' al-thani Jumada al-awwal Jumada al-thani Rajab Sha'aban Ramadan Shawwal Dhu al-Qi'dah Dhu al-Hijjah

Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

The word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd "to burn". Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The month is spent fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to dusk. The name came from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought to figuratively burn away all sins. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the earth during this month. Furthermore, Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed. The first day of the next month is spent in celebrations and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or `Eid ul-Fitr.

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1 Timing
2 Events
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Timing

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset. The actual and estimated start and end dates for Ramadan in 2005-2010 were and are as follows:

CE	AH	Start	End
2005	1426	2 October	1 November
2006	1427	23 September	22 October
2007	1428	13 September	12 October^[1]
2008	1429	3 September	2 October
2009	1430^[2]	24 August	23 September
2010	1431^[3]	10 August	9 September
Ramadhan dates between 2005 and 2010

Most Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but some insist on using the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different countries, but usually only by a day or two.

Each year, Ramadan begins about eleven days earlier than in the previous year.^[4] For astronomical projections of the approximate start of Ramadan, go to http://moonsighting.com/ and click on the "Ramadan" tab.

At the end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims.

[edit] Events

Ramadan is observed by Muslims during the entire lunar month by the same name. The month of religious observances consists of fasting and extra prayers.
- On 02 Ramadan, the Torah was bestowed on Moses. (As claimed by Shi'a Islam)
- On 10 Ramadan, Khadija, wife of Muhammad, died.
- On 12 Ramadan, the Bible was bestowed on Jesus. (As claimed by Shi'a Islam)
- On 15 Ramadan, Hassan ibn Ali son of Imam Ali was born.
- On 17 Ramadan, the Battle of Badr was won by the Muslims.
- On 18 Ramadan, the Psalms were bestowed on David. (As claimed by Shi'a Islam)
- On 19 Ramadan, Imam Ali was injured by a sword.
- On 21 Ramadan, Imam Ali was killed.
- On 23 Ramadan, the Qur'an was bestowed on Muhammad. (In accordance with Shi'a Islam; according to Sunni Islam the date is unknown, but is in the last ten days of Ramadan)
- Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Destiny) is observed during one of the last five odd numbered days of the month. Muslims believe that this night is better than a thousand months. This is often interpreted as praying throughout this night is rewarded equally with praying for a thousand months. Many Muslims spend the entire night in prayer. According to Shi'a Islam this night is the 19th or 21st, or 23rd of this month, but according to the Sunni Sect this night is 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29.However,it is said the date would be kept "top secret" by Allah (God).
In Iran, Al-Quds Day is held on the last Friday of Ramadan (since the Iranian Revolution).
In the Ottoman Empire, the sultan presented trays of baklava to the Janissaries in a ceremonial procession called the Baklava Alayı.