By Rokeya Sumi

Writer/Reporter

Ramadan is a special month for Muslims. A month when Muslims feel happier and more determined about their prayers and good deeds. This month is not just about fasting as some may believe. This is a month in which we purify and clean our hearts. But what does Ramadan actually mean to the Muslim?

Islam has its own calendar, called the Hijri calendar, and it also contains twelve months, similar to the English calendar. Ramadan occurs within the ninth month of this calendar, and his month requires fasting, which is the third pillar of Islam.

The Muslims around the world fast for 29 or 30 days during this month. From sunrise to sunset, they stop eating any kind food, and even avoid drinking water, and this is not just a suggestion but a requirement of celebrating Ramadan. To Muslims, Ramadan means discipline, patience, equality, and social responsibility and is a time when Muslims need to purify their heart from all kinds of feelings, attitudes, and behaviors that are prohibited in Islam to make social peace. This is the month to practice kindness, generosity, and more gratitude toward the God.  

During Ramadan, Muslims get a chance to increase their God consciousness, or piety, which is called Taqwa, meaning the fear of Allah who is the creator of this world. Muslims also learn to be disciplined during Ramadan by avoiding food and drink, and we try to be better practicing Muslims. However, the main motive of Ramadan is to be prohibited from all kinds of bad or harmful things.

During this merciful month, Allah (God) finalized these guidelines by revealing the Quran, the holy book of Islam, to the last Prophet Muhammad SM (peace upon him). So, through these days, Muslims are required to read and understand their Quran as much as they can.

In this blessed month, Muslims need to purify their wealth by giving to charity, which is also required by Allah, which is called Zakat, the fourth pillar of Islam. By giving Zakat – or charity – Muslims can help the people in need by giving food, clothes, or money which may make them stable and independent to live a good life.  

But not all Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan. Only those adults who are physically healthy must practice fasting during Ramadan. However, in certain situations, some Muslims can avoid fasting if they are traveling, pregnant, or have any kind of physical inability. 

Ramadan started on Feb. 17 in 2026 and will end on March 19, and this is the 1447 Hijri of Ramadan. But the last 10 nights of Ramadan are the most important nights of the entire year when God writes the destiny and future of his creatures according to Islam. The last night Muslims search the night of Layla-Al-Qadr (the night of decree).  This is the month when Muslim search for forgiveness, blessings, and purity of their soul so that they can live a life where they can make their God satisfied.