Ramadan Kareem

An explanation of Ramadan. History, purpose, practices, fasting, and more.

Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims — the Prophet Mohammed reportedly said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran, Islam's sacred text, to Mohammed, on a night known as "The Night of Power" (or Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic).

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time of fasting for Muslims all over the world.