UPDATE: This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday 2 April and end on Sunday 1 May 2022, depending on the sighting of the moon. 

Alhamdulillah! The blessed month of Ramadan is almost here! For Muslims across the globe, the holy month of Ramadan is a sacred time for worshipping Allah (SWT).  

It is an opportunity for new beginnings; for spiritual renewal and reflection, increased devotion, and celebration of the mercy and love of Allah (SWT).  

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, in which healthy adult Muslims are required to fast each day from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are also encouraged during the holy month. 

As the Islamic calendar is based around the lunar cycle, the Holy month of Ramadan rotates by approximately ten days each year. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday 12 April and end on Wednesday 12 May 2021, depending on the sighting of the moon. 

The Night of Power – Laylatul Qadr 

The month of Ramadan contains the most blessed of nights, also known as Laylatul Qadr, which Allah SWT describes as: 

“What will make you realise what the Night of Power is like? 

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. 

Angels and the Spirit descend upon it with their Lord´s permission with every command; 

There is peace that night until the coming of dawn.” [Quran: 97:1-5] 

Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah’s is the most regular and constant even though it were little. [Prophet Muhammad (s) as narrated by A’isha (ra) in Sahih Bukhari, vol. 8, hadith 471]

When is Eid al-Fitr? 

Eid al-fitr marks the end of the blessed month of Ramadan. 

This year Eid al-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on the evening of Wednesday 12 May 2021. However, the exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon of Shawwal (the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar).