Derives from the Arabic root

Relation to the Jews and Yom Kippur
According to Al-Bukhari, Muhmmad initially chose the date of the fast as the day of Ashura (the 10th day of the 1st month), probably the Jewish Yom Kippur.^[51] This fast was later replaced with the fast of the 9th month (Ramadan).^[52]
Important dates
The first and last dates of Ramadan are determined by the lunar Islamic calendar.^[3]
Beginning

Ramadan beginning dates between Gregorian years 1938 and 2038; including an error on the ante-penultimate line. Note that this table is based on an unspecified variant of the Islamic calendar and that, according to local practices, there can be differences of one (or even two) days.
Because the Hilāl, or crescent moon, typically occurs approximately one day after the new moon, Muslims can usually estimate the beginning of Ramadan;^[53] however, many^[who?] prefer to confirm the opening of Ramadan by direct visual observation of the crescent.^[54]
Night of Destiny
Main article: Qadr Night
Laylat al-Qadr is considered the holiest night of the year.^[55][56] It is generally believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last ten days of Ramadan; the Dawoodi Bohra believe that Laylat al-Qadr was the twenty-third night of Ramadan.^[57][58]
Eid
Main articles: Eid al-Fitr and Eid prayers
The holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Arabic:عيد الفطر), which marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal,^[59] the next lunar month, is declared after a crescent new moon has been sighted or after completion of thirty days of fasting if no sighting of the moon is possible. Eid celebrates of the return to a more natural disposition (fitra) of eating, drinking, and marital intimacy.^[60]
Religious practices

Azim Azimzade. Ramadan of the poor people. 1938
The common practice is to fast from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the suhur, while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is called iftar.^[61]
Muslims devote more time to prayer and acts of charity, striving to improve their self-discipline, motivated by hadith:^[62][63] "When Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell are locked up and devils are put in chains."^[64]
Fasting
Main article: Fasting during Ramadan
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking during this time, Muslims abstain from sexual relations^[3] and sinful speech and behaviour during Ramadan fasting or month. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control,^[65] sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).^[66] Muslims also believe fasting helps instill compassion for the food-insecure poor.
Exemptions to fasting include travel, menstruation, severe illness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. However, many Muslims with medical conditions^{[vague][who?]} insist on fasting to satisfy their spiritual needs, although it is not recommended by hadith.^[61] Those unable to fast are obligated to make up the missed days later.^[67]
Suhoor
Main article: Suhur

Iftar at Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
Each day, before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the suhoor. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr.^[68][69]
Iftar
Main article: Iftar
At sunset, families break the fast with the iftar, traditionally opening the meal by eating dates to commemorate Muhammad's practice of breaking the fast with three dates.^[70][71] They then adjourn for Maghrib, the fourth of the five required daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.^[72]
Social gatherings, many times in buffet style, are frequent at iftar. Traditional dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, particularly those made only during Ramadan.^{[example needed]} Water is usually the beverage of choice, but juice and milk are also often available, as are soft drinks and caffeinated beverages.^[73]
In the Middle East, iftar consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers; one or more main dishes; and rich desserts, with dessert considered the most important aspect of the meal.^[74] Typical main dishes include lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf. Desserts may include luqaimat, baklava or kunafeh.^[75]
Over time, the practice of iftar has evolved into banquets that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of diners.^[76] The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the largest mosque in the UAE, feeds up to thirty thousand people every night.^[77] Some twelve thousand people attend iftar at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.^{[citation needed]}

Iftar serving for fasting people in the Imam Reza shrine
Charity
Main articles: Zakat and Sadaqah

Men praying during Ramadan at the Shrine of Ali or "Blue Mosque" in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan

A mass prayer during the 1996 Ramadan at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
Zakat, often translated as "the poor-rate", is the fixed percentage of income a believer is required to give to the poor; the practice is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that good deeds are rewarded more handsomely during Ramadan than at any other time of the year; consequently, many Muslims donate a larger portion – or even all – of their yearly zakāt during this month.^{[citation needed]}