When is Ramadan 2023?

The lunar cycle, also referred to as moon phases, is followed by the Islamic calendar. Because of this, the holy month of Ramadan starts about 10 days earlier than usual each year. After the moon is sighted over Mecca on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Ramadan is anticipated to start. Ramadan, which lasted 30 days, will end on Friday, April 21, and Eid al-Fitr celebrations will begin either on Saturday, April 22, or on Sunday, April 23

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar It is a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims all around the world Muslims fast from dawn till dusk throughout Ramadan, forgoing food, liquids, and other necessities Fasting is an act of worship and self-discipline, and it is believed to help Muslims gain a deeper understanding of their faith and develop empathy for those who are less fortunate

Ramadan is also a time of increased spiritual reflection, with Muslims spending more time in prayer and performing acts of charity and kindness. The month of Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting period and is a time for Muslims to gather with family and friends to celebrate and give thanks.

Key Ramadan 2023 Dates At A Glance

Here are some key dates for Ramadan 2023:

Ramadan begins: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power): Expected to occur on one of the odd nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan, but the exact date is not known in advance

Eid al-Fitr : Expected to fall on Friday, May 12, 2023 (depending on the sighting of the moon).

Sawm

Sawm is an Arabic term that refers to fasting, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is an act of worship and self-discipline that Muslims observe during the month of Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset The goal of fasting is to improve discipline, self-control, and compassion for others who are less fortunate Muslims believe that fasting during Ramadan helps them to purify their souls and become closer to Allah

Sawm is not just about abstaining from food and drink, it also involves refraining from negative thoughts and actions, such as lying, gossiping, and anger Muslims are encouraged to engage in more acts of worship, such as reading the Quran and performing extra prayers during this month Breaking the fast at sunset is an important ritual, where Muslims gather with family and friends to eat together and break their fast with dates and water

Sawm is mandatory for all adult Muslims who are physically able to fast, with some exceptions for those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating. If a Muslim is unable to fast due to a valid reason, they can make up for the missed fasts at a later time or provide food to the needy as a form of compensation.

From the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may learn self-restraint (Taqwa) “ [Al-Baqarah 2:183]

Read Also: How to Make Beautiful Ramadan Crafts in the UK?

Zakat al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is an important Islamic holiday that marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. The celebration usually lasts for three days and is a time of joy and thanksgiving for Muslims around the world The exact date of Eid al-Fitr varies each year as it depends on the

sighting of the moon, but it is expected to fall on Friday, May 12, 2023 (depending on the Islamic lunar calendar).

On the day of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims gather early in the morning for a special prayer called the Eid prayer, which is typically held in large open spaces or mosques After the prayer, Muslims greet each other by saying "Eid Mubarak," which means "blessed Eid" in Arabic, and exchange gifts and sweets It is a time for families and friends to come together, share meals, and enjoy each other's company

In addition to the prayer and festivities, Eid al-Fitr is also a time for Muslims to perform acts of charity and generosity towards those in need, in accordance with the teachings of Islam It is common for Muslims to give money and food to the poor during this holiday

Overall, Eid al-Fitr is a time for Muslims to celebrate the completion of the month-long fast of Ramadan, to express gratitude to Allah, and to strengthen family and community bonds.

Sadaq-e-Zakat

Sadaqah-e-Zakat is an Islamic term that refers to the obligatory charity that is required of all able-bodied adult Muslims who meet certain financial criteria Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is considered to be a form of worship and purification of wealth

The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) is reported to have said: "Zakat is the bridge of Islam; thus, whomever performs it can cross the bridge, and whoever withholds it will be imprisoned beneath it. And it (Zakat) extinguishes the anger of the Lord.”

Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 74, Page 405

Zakat is calculated as 2 5% of a Muslim's wealth, including cash, gold, silver, and investments that have been held for at least one year This amount is paid annually to the poor and needy, or to organizations that distribute Zakat on behalf of the donor The aim of Zakat is to ensure that wealth is distributed fairly in society and to provide support to those who are less fortunate

Sadaqah, on the other hand, refers to voluntary acts of charity that are not mandatory but are encouraged in Islam. This can include giving money or food to the poor, donating to charitable organizations, helping someone in need, or simply performing acts of kindness.

While Zakat is a specific type of charity with specific requirements, Sadaqah is more general and can encompass a wide range of charitable acts Both Zakat and Sadaqah are important in Islam and are considered to be a means of earning reward and purifying one ' s wealth Read More