Ramadan (calendar month)

Ramadan (رَمَضَان, Ramaḍān) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran is believed to be revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. According to Islam, the Quran was sent down to the lowest heaven during this month, thus being prepared for gradual revelation by Jibra'il to Muhammad. Therefore, Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open for the entire month and the gates of Hell (Jahannam) would be closed. The first three days of the next month, Shawwal, are spent in celebration and are observed as the "Festival of Breaking Fast" or Eid al-Fitr.

Timing
The Islamic calendar is a lunar one, where each month begins when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. The Islamic year consists of 12 lunar cycles, and consequently it is 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year, and as it contains no intercalation, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset. The estimated start and end dates for Ramadan, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia, are:

Many Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but others use the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different countries, but usually only by a day. This is due to the cycles of the moon; the moon may not meet the criteria to qualify as a waxing crescent, which delineates the change in months, at the time of sundown in one location while later meeting it in another location. Astronomical projections that approximate the start of Ramadan are available.

Events
Ramadan is observed by Muslims during the entire lunar month by the same name. The month of religious observances consists of fasting and extra prayers. Some important historical events during this month are generally believed to include:
 * 2 Ramadan, the Torah was bestowed on Moses according to Islam.
 * 10 Ramadan, death of Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the wife of Muhammad.
 * 12 Ramadan, the Gospel was bestowed on Jesus according to Islam.
 * 15 Ramadan, birth of Hasan ibn Ali.
 * 17 Ramadan, birth of Ibn ʿArabi.
 * 17 Ramadan, death of Aisha bint Abu Bakr – a wife of Muhammad.
 * 17 Ramadan, the Battle of Badr was won by the Muslims.
 * 18 Ramadan, the Psalms (Zabur) were bestowed on David (Dawood).
 * 19 Ramadan, Imam Ali struck on the head during prayer by Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam with a poisoned sword.
 * 20 Ramadan, the Conquest of Mecca by Muhammad.
 * 21 Ramadan, Caliph Ali martyred.

Laylat al-Qadr is observed during one of the last ten days of the month (typically the odd nights). Muslims believe that this night which is also known as "The Night of Power" is better than a thousand months. This is often interpreted to mean that the reward for praying throughout this night is equal to the reward for praying for a thousand months (just over 83 years, i.e., a lifetime). Many Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.

Prohibition to pronounce the word Ramadan by itself
According to numerous hadiths Ramadan is one of the names of God in Islam, and as such it is prohibited to say only "Ramadan" in reference to the calendar month and that it is necessary to say the "month of Ramadan".

Sunni
"The Messenger of God (sa) said: Do not say "Ramadan", for verily Ramadan is a name from the names of Allah, rather say "month of Ramadan"."

"He (the Prophet Muhammad) hated them saying "Ramadan", and he said: "Because it is a name from the names of Allah. Rather we say just as Allah said [in the Quran] – the "month of Ramadan"."

"The Prophet (sa) said: Do not say "Ramadan has come" or "Ramadan has finished", for verily Ramadan is a name from the names of Allah, the Lofty."

"The Messenger of God (sa) said: Do not just say "Ramadan", for verily Ramadan is the name of Allah, rather say "month of Ramadan"."

"Ibn Abu Hurairah reported: Do not say "Ramadan", for verily Ramadan is a name from the names of Allah, rather say "month of Ramadan"."

"The Messenger of God (sa) said: Not a single one of you should be saying "I fasted Ramadan", nor "I establish [the Salah] in Ramadan", nor "I produced in Ramadan such-and-such", for verily Ramadan is a name from the names of Allah, Prestigious and Majestic is His greatness. Rather say "month of Ramadan" just as your Lord, Prestigious and Majestic, has said in His book (i.e. the Quran)."

"Aisha asked: "O Messenger of God, what is the meaning of 'Ramadan'?" So the Messenger of God (sa) said: "O Humayra', do no say "Ramadan" for verily Ramadan is a name from the names of Allah, rather say "month of Ramadan". The meaning of the word 'Ramadan"' is that [Allah] burns in this month the sins of His worshippers, meaning he forgives them.""

Shia
"Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: Do not say "this Ramadan", nor "Ramadan has gone", nor "Ramadan has come", for verily Ramadan is a name from the names of Allah, Prestigious and Majestic. He does not come nor leave, for the coming and leaving is for a thing that is not everlasting. Rather say "month of Ramadan", for the word 'month' is a genitive for the noun, and the noun is the name of Allah, Prestigious and Majestic."

"Ali (as) said: Do not say "Ramadan", rather say "month of Ramadan" for verily you don't know what Ramadan is."

"Ali (as) said: Do not say "Ramadan" for verily you don't know what Ramadan is. So the one who says that (just 'Ramadan'), then let him give alms in charity and he should fast as an atonement for his blasphemy. Rather say as Allah, Prestigious and Majestic, has said: "month of Ramadan"."

Zaydi
"Ali (as) said: Do not say "Ramadan" for verily you don't know what Ramadan is. So the one who says that (just 'Ramadan'), then let him give alms in charity and he should fast as an atonement for his blasphemy. Rather say as Allah, Prestigious and Majestic, has said: "month of Ramadan"."