How Many More Days Until Ramadan? All about the Holy Month

Since the lunar calendar is used for Islamic dates, all Muslims across the world rejoice with the arrival of every year of Ramadan. A popular question this time of year is, “How many more days until Ramadan?” This is a question that conveys the excitement, anticipation and spiritual preparedness that is attached to this holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is celebrated with fasting, prayer, charity and self-reflection. But the particular date differs from year to year because the Islamic calendar is based on the moon’s cycles. In this article, we’ll guide you on calculating how many more days to go for Ramadan and also on the importance of this blessed month, its rituals, and how you can get yourself and your family prepared for it.

What Is Ramadan?

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is significant for Muslims. It is a period of fasting from dawn through sunset, prayer, contemplation, and social participation. One of the Five Pillars in Islam, fasting during Ramadan helps to strengthen the connection to Allah and create empathy for the less fortunate.

During daylight hours, Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and other physical needs. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the holiday Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of fasting and a time to give thanks and celebrate.

How Is Ramadan Date Determined?

While the Gregorian calendar is based on a solar year, the Islamic calendar is based on a lunar year. This means that a month starts with the sighting of a new moon. As a result, the specific dates of Ramadan will drift upward 10 to 12 days every year on the Gregorian calendar.

Scholars and Islamic authorities determine the beginning of Ramadan based on the moon’s sighting. In many countries, the crescent is visually sighted to declare Ramadan. That is the reason for the slight variation in the date based on where you are.

How Many Days Are Left Until Ramadan 2025?

Because Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, it does not occur on the same date in the Gregorian calendar each year. To get the calculation for “How many more days until Ramadan?”, we have to know the date when Ramadan is expected to begin this year.

For 2025, it is expected that Ramadan will commence on the evening of Monday, March 24, 2025. Which means, if you’re reading this article when it was published, the holy month is about a few weeks away.

However, to find an exact number, do visit any Islamic moon sighting websites where they usually give the exact countdown until the start of Ramadan. (Do note that the date of Eid and moon sighting may differ slightly depending on your local moon sighting authorities.)

Why Does Ramadan Move from Year to Year?

The Islamic calendar is lunar, which means it follows the cycles of the moon. A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, resulting in Ramadan shifting by about 10 to 12 days each year. As a result, the Islamic calendar and the dates of holidays such as Ramadan differ from those in the most widely used Gregorian calendar in the world.

This change in dates causes Ramadan to migrate through the seasons, and Muslims fast through different weather climates, which adds an extra level of depth to the experience. Ramadan shifts from year to year, so in some seasons it is in winter, and in others, sweltering heat of summer.

What Are Some Ways That Muslims Prepare for Ramadan?

Preparing for Ramadan begins months before its arrival. Here are some common ways Muslims prepare for Ramadan:

• Prepare Spiritually Muslims engage in increased worship and devotion leading up to Ramadan. Many start reading the Quran more frequently and doing extra prayers.
• Physical Preparation: Some Muslims prepare themselves by adjusting their eating habits several days prior. Consuming lighter meals and proper hydration before Ramadan enables our body to acclimatize to fasting.
• Ramadan: It’s a time to be charitable. Muslims make a lot of preparations, including giving money—many of us prepare to give money to charity and to Zakat (obligatory charity) in Ramadan.
• Family and Community Involvement: Special meals are often prepared for Iftar (the evening meal to break the fast) and Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal before fasting starts). And families are also planning time together during Ramadan.

Rituals During Ramadan

Ramadan is not just about fasting; it’s also marked by a number of significant rituals:

• Sawm (Fasting): The most important ritual in Ramadan is the fast, where Muslims no longer eat or drink or meet their physical needs from dawn to sunset. One tension is released with the Iftar meal at sunset that breaks the fast.
• Taraweeh Prayers: These extra prayers are performed by Sunni Muslims during the night in a mosque after the Itikaaf for the month of Ramadan. They are very meritorious and are mostly prayed in congregation in the mosques.
• Reading of the Quran : Muslims try to complete the whole Quran in Ramadan to connect with Islam.
• Zakat and charity: Giving to those in need is a big part of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims typically pay Zakat (obligatory alms) or give Sadaqah (voluntary charity).

Benefit of fasting in Ramadan

Fasting in Ramadan is not only a physical act but also a deeply spiritual one. Some of the benefits of Ramadan fasting are mentioned as follows.

• Spiritual Outlet: One consideration is that fasting, as it purifies the soul, brings people closer to Allah. It cultivates self-restraint and grows spirituality.
• Empathy for the Poor: Despite your comfortable and affluent life, experiencing hunger and thirst for a month instills empathy for those who are less fortunate.
• But fasting for long hours has health benefits and is great for digestion, detoxification, and mental clarity.
• One of the greatest benefits of Ramadan is that it definitely strengthens family ties.

How To Utilize Ramadan To The Fullest?

Here are several suggestions for making the most of Ramadan this year:

• Excessive Worship: More prayer, Quran and Zikr.
• Practice Gratitude: Be thankful for what you have.
• Give to Charity On the note of giving, never forget that giving is what Ramadan stands for. Help others—and make sure to be kind.
• Maintenance of Health: In the month of Ramadan, a comprehensive standard of the lifestyle in Suhoor and Iftar.

Eid al-Fitr: End of Ramadan

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a joyous holiday marking the end of fasting, at the close of Ramadan. It is a season of gratitude, family, and celebration. Before Eid, Muslims must pay Zakat al-Fitr (a type of charity) for fasting purification and for the purpose that all can join the celebration.

Countdown: How Many Days Until Ramadan?

There are only a few weeks until Ramadan as of today, 24th March 2025. To prepare you a little, here’s an easy countdown to when Ramadan starts:

• Days Left Until Ramadan 2025:

If you’re reading this on Jan. 31, 2025, there are roughly 53 days left until Ramadan. Watch for moon-sighting announcements in your area to learn the exact date on which Ramadan begins.

Final Thoughts

It is that time of the year again, where anticipation and excitement begins to braid. Whether you are counting the days or gearing up spiritually, physically, and mentally, this blessed month provides us with an opportunity to grow both personally and spiritually and deepen our connection with Allah. How many days until Ramadan lets you plan and prepare to.