What is Ramadan? Muslims set to start holy month of spiritual reflection

Muslims across the world will soon begin observing Ramadan, embarking on a month of fasting and religious study.

Followers of the faith believe that it is the month that the Quran, the faith's holy book, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed.

The holy period is marked by community gatherings, special prayers and abstinence from ill behavior

Here's what you need to know about Ramadan 2025.

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What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic, or Hijri, calendar. Muslims believe that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel during Ramadan.

Tyler Mallari, a spokesperson with the Zakat Foundation previously told USA TODAY that Ramadan "is a time for Muslims to come together, focus on their spiritual and personal development and spend time giving charity and gathering with their community for prayers and events."

When does Ramadan begin?

Ramadan is expected to begin around March 1 and last through around March 29, according to the Islamic Network Group.

The exact date always depends on the sighting of the crescent moon.

The holy month moves approximately 11 days earlier each year as the Muslim faith follows a lunar calendar that is 11 days shorter than the solar calendar.

Why is there fasting during Ramadan?

Adherents to the Islamic faith who have reached puberty and are physically capable fast from sunrise to sunset every day during Ramadan. The fast includes abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations.

Muslims are also to avoid negative actions during the month, including gossiping, backbiting, lying or arguing, according to the Islamic Network Group.

Those who are sick, women who are pregnant or nursing and those traveling are exempted.

Children who have not reached puberty are not required to fast for the entire month but some may participate in periods of symbolic fasting, according to the Islamic Network Group.

Fasting may also be accompanied by a more serious study of the Quran throughout the month.

"The idea is to cultivate awareness of God. Taqwa in Arabic," Imam Ebad Rahman, Religious Life Associate for Muslim Life at Columbia University, previously told USA TODAY.

Other ways Ramadan is observed

Mosques may hold Iftars, or dinners to break the fast nightly during Ramadan that are open to the wider community. Families and friends may also hold Iftars at home. Mosques may also hold open houses and food drives during the holy month.

"Muslims are encouraged to embody a charitable spirit in Ramadan in order to benefit their local and broader communities alongside their own personal spiritual development. Through their Ramadan charity, Muslims strive to take care of their neighbors and those around the world in need," Mallari said.

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Each night, Imams may recite one thirtieth of the Quran in a special nightly prayer so that the entire holy book will be read by the end of the month, according to the Islamic Network Group.

The last ten nights of Ramadan are considered to be especially sacred with the holiest night of Ramadan, Laylat Al-Qadr, falling on one of those nights.

It's not known when Laylat al-Qadr, known as the “Night of Power” will be, but many believe it most likely falls on any of the odd nights in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Good deeds are believed to be significantly multiplied on that night, and Muslims may spend the night in reflection, prayer and doing other good deeds.

Eid Al-Fitr: How Ramadan ends

The day after Ramadan ends starts one of the major holidays in the Islamic calendar: Eid Al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast.

Eid Al-Fitr is a three-day festival that will start around March 30, but like the start of Ramadan is dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon, according to the Islamic Network Group.

The holiday is celebrated with special prayers, sweets, presents for children and community festivals.