Ramadan 2025: Everything You Need to Know
With Ramadan a little over two weeks away, some of us may be thinking about the approaching month with trepidation. There’s so much to think about—like preparing for changes to our routine, maintaining special family traditions, infusing the love of the month in our children, and setting our own personal goals. To help get our thoughts straight, it can help to zero in on what’s most important.
When is Ramadan anyway?
Ramadan 2025 (1446 in the Hijri calendar) is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1st or Sunday, March 2nd, depending on the sighting of the moon.
So, what is most important?
There’s no better way to remember what Ramadan is all about than the words of Allah, glory be to Him:
“O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺" (Qur’an 2:183).
“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramadan˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful” (Qur’an 2:185).
As these verses explain, the purpose behind fasting the month of Ramadan is being mindful of Allah (taqwa) and being grateful for His guidance. Let us remember these objectives so they can guide our plans, our decisions, and our actions this Ramadan.
In addition to taqwa and gratitude, forgiveness is another key purpose behind the obligation to fast the month of Ramadan. Our prophet, peace be upon him, taught us,
“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari and Muslim).
What more could we want? Ramadan is a precious gift whose fruits are God-consciousness, gratitude, and forgiveness. It’s a rare opportunity—within the hustle and bustle of our daily lives—to slow down, turn inward, and come closer to Allah.
What should my personal goals be this Ramadan?
Beyond the obligatory fasting of Ramadan, what we want to achieve during the month is a very personal matter that depends on our circumstances. Here are some things to think about to help you set goals that are both personally meaningful and practical:
Up your game: What were you able to achieve last Ramadan? (Did you read a portion of the Qur’an daily? Did you pray a few rak’ahs each night, whether at home or in the masjid? Did you give anything in charity?) Your accomplishments last Ramadan could be a helpful yardstick to use to challenge yourself to go a bit further this Ramadan.
Learn something new: What have you always wanted to learn about your religion? Ramadan is a great time to start! Find a book you’ve wanted to read or a series you’ve wanted to listen to, and read or listen to a bit every day.
Form new habits: What religious duties and positive habits have you been wanting to do regularly but have been struggling with? Ramadan is a great testing ground for making a commitment to these duties and habits. Once you’ve made progress during these 30 days, build on what you’ve achieved and try to continue after Ramadan.
Think outside the box: We all know the basic areas to focus on: fasting, prayer, Qur’an, du’aa, sadaqa… But what about other things we might be overlooking, like reaching out to relatives we’re out of touch with or spending quality time with our children.
Cut out distractions: To get maximum benefit from the month, clear your mind by eliminating distractions whenever possible. Do whatever it takes—including minimizing social media use—to find the mental calmness and clarity that you need to focus on what matters most.
What about my kids?
We may not realize it, but infusing the love of Ramadan in our children is a very important act of worship. Helping them build happy memories with regards to the pillars of Islam, including fasting in Ramadan, will contribute to a strong Islamic identity for many years to come.
Here are some ways to do this:
They can fast too! Depending on the age and ability of your children, encourage them to fast all or part of the day and shower them with words of praise for any effort they make.
Make it a family affair: Look for opportunities to involve your children in preparations before and during Ramadan, like making decorations, preparing meals, and putting aside money to give to the needy.
Books, books, books! Providing your children with books about Ramadan or other Islamic themes are essential in growing their Islamic identity. Check out our Ramadan titles here and the rest of our collection here!
May Allah help us focus on what’s most important—for us and our children—and bless the month for us all!
