One of the biggest months of the Islamic calendar is coming up – Ramadan. It is a month of fasting (and feasting) so Muslims can draw closer to their Allah, but even more importantly, gain his favor and have their sins erased.

Ramadan is as big of a deal to your Muslim friends as Christmas is to us as Christians. Many of them save for the entire year so they can cook the finest meals, wear new clothes, and give presents to their family and friends at the end of Ramadan. They also fast for hours and wake up early to eat their meal before sunrise. Ramadan is a great time to pray that your Muslim friends find the truth.

What is the origin of Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.  This year, Ramadan starts sundown on Sunday, March 10, and continues through Tuesday, April 9.

It is supposedly the month in which Muhammad received the first messages that became part of the Quran. The Muslim calendar follows the lunar cycle and began on July 16th, 622 AD, when Muhammad left Mecca and migrated to Medina. You can learn more about this in our post about Muhammad’s story.

The rules and rituals of Ramadan

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and although there are other times of the year when Muslims are advised to fast, Ramadan is the time of mandatory fasting for every Muslim (with a few exceptions).

From sunrise to sunset, Muslims must fast from food, liquids, smoking, and sex. This is supposed to help them gain Allah’s favor. Since their calendar does not line up with ours, sometimes the month of Ramadan lands during a summer month, which only makes it harder to abstain from eating and drinking water for over 16 hours!

After sunset, they often feast within their communities to break the fast, enjoy each other’s company, eat delicious foods, and watch special Ramadan TV programs.

Remember those exceptions to fasting we mentioned earlier? Muslims who are pregnant, traveling, or sick are allowed to skip fasting; however, they are required to make up these days at a later time.

Why is Ramadan such an important time for sharing Christ with Muslims?

Our ministry outreach teams work overtime during the Ramadan month because it is so key for reaching Muslims with the gospel. As Muslims are fasting and praying, they are seeking Allah’s favor. Our prayer and goal is that they will begin to examine their religious practices and start to desire more than what Islam offers them.

The rules and legalism of Islam only offer a life of living in fear of Allah’s wrath. During Ramadan, many Muslims begin to realize this and start to search for other answers. 

Our Lord tells us He will always answer those who seek Him. Are you willing to be used by God to reach those who are seeking Him this year?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

Reaching your Muslim friends during Ramadan

Witnessing to Muslims during Ramadan can be life-changing. Don’t let any nervousness get in your way from connecting with them! Here are three of the best ways to connect with your friend over Ramadan:

1. Invite them over for a meal after sundown (ask about their dietary preferences!)
2. Tell them you are praying for them to know God on a deeper level.
3. Check-in on them, ask how their fasting is going, and open conversations about faith. Make sure you are expressing support for them as a friend, not support for their religion.

Pray that God will use the month of Ramadan to reveal Himself to Muslims so they will know and accept the love of Christ. Open up your heart to what the Holy Spirit has in store for you and your Muslim friend, and expect God to work in amazing ways! 

Prayer for our Muslim friends to meet Christ during Ramadan

Dear Lord, thank you for promising to answer those who seek You. I pray that my Muslim friend will be filled with a spiritual hunger this Ramadan that only You can fill. Please use me to share the gospel with my Muslim friend, and show me the best way to love them. Amen.

Frequently asked Questions about Ramadan

What is the origin of Ramadan?

It is supposedly the month in which Muhammad received the first messages that became part of the Quran. The Muslim calendar follows the lunar cycle and began on July 16th, 622 AD, when Muhammad left Mecca and migrated to Medina.

What are Muslims fasting from during Ramadan?

Muslims are required to fast from all food, liquids, smoking, and sex.

Why does Ramadan time change every year?

Islam follows a separate calendar from the typical Gregorian calendar that Western countries follow. While the Gregorian calendar is according to the earth’s trip around the sun in 365 days, the Islamic calendar, called the hijri calendar, is based on the lunar cycle. But unlike the lunar calendar, the hijri calendar’s months are not adjusted to stay at the same time of the season each year.

Who is exempt from Ramadan fasting?

Muslims who are pregnant, traveling, or sick are allowed to skip fasting; however, they are required to make up these days at a later time.

Can Muslims drink water during Ramadan?

No, Muslims are not allowed to drink water while they are fasting for Ramadan. In fact, very devout Muslims will abstain from swallowing their spit or showering to avoid any liquids from being swallowed in order to show their devotion to Allah.

Is Ramadan like Christmas in the Muslim world?

Ramadan is as big of a deal to Muslims as Christmas is to us as Christians. Many of them save for the entire year so they can cook the finest meals, wear new clothes, and give presents to their family and friends at the end of Ramadan.

Are there differences between how Sunni and Shiite Muslims celebrate Ramadan?

In general, the two sects celebrate Ramadan in the same way, but there are a few minor differences. For example, Muslims must wait for sunset in order to break their fast. Sunnis break their fast once the physical sun is no longer visible past the horizon, however, Shiites wait until all light is gone from the sky.

There is an additional Shiite holiday during Ramadan Sunni Muslims do not celebrate. During the 19th, 20th, and 21st days of Ramadan, Shiite Muslims honor the death of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed. Shiites believe that Ali should have succeeded Muhammad after his death as the imam. 

You can learn more about the sects of Islam here.