What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest period in the Muslim year. Muslims believe this is the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
For roughly 30 days, Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, water, and other physical needs. Ramadan is also a month of prayer, reflection, generosity, and stronger community ties. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of faith in Islam. The others include praying five times a day and giving 2.5% of your wealth in charity every year.
Because Islam follows a lunar calendar, Ramadan shifts approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
For a deep dive into the inner meaning of Ramadan, click here.
The fast (Sawm)
Each day of Ramadan starts before dawn with Suhoor, then fasting continues until sunset when the fast is broken at Iftar.
The fast is complete during daylight hours, with no food or water.
Suhoor
Pre dawn meal
A practical and nourishing meal before Fajr prayer.
Iftar
Sunset meal
Fast is traditionally broken with dates and water at Maghrib.
Who is exempt?
- Children who have not reached puberty
- Elderly people who would be harmed by fasting
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women when needed
- People with illness or medical conditions
- Travellers on long journeys
- Women during menstruation
How fasting hours shift through Ramadan
Fasting does not feel the same every day. The length of the fast gradually shifts across the month, and it changes by city.
Choose a location below to see one bar per day of Ramadan.
Explore by topic
Workplace
Health patterns, practical support, team etiquette, and inclusive policies.
Spirituality
Why Muslims fast, inner goals, last ten nights, zakat, and deeper context.
Prayer
Daily prayers, Jummah, Taraweeh, and what prayer looks like at work.
Eid
Eid al Fitr basics, workplace planning, greetings, and common questions.
Day Timeline
A visual day in Ramadan from pre dawn through night worship.
Common questions
Not even water?
Correct. Between dawn and sunset, the fast includes all food and liquids, including water. While this sounds difficult, the body generally adjusts after the first few days.
Is fasting unhealthy?
For most healthy adults, fasting is safe and is a practice used globally for its various health benefits. Beyond the spiritual focus, fasting has been shown to improve metabolic health, help regulate blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. Many people find it provides a period of heightened mental clarity and physical discipline. However, Ramadan is not meant to cause hardship. Those with medical conditions, the elderly, travelers, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are exempt to ensure their health is protected.
Should I avoid eating in front of someone fasting?
There is no need to change your habits. Most people who fast are comfortable being around food and prefer that their colleagues eat and drink normally without feeling the need to apologize.
Can non-Muslims attend Iftar?
Absolutely. Iftar is a time of hospitality and immense gratitude. Invitations are often extended to friends, neighbors, and colleagues regardless of their faith, and you do not need to be fasting to attend.
Why do Ramadan dates change each year?
Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar. This means the month moves earlier each year, rotating through all the different seasons over time.
Do people still work a full day while fasting?
Yes, for most people, the workday remains the same as fasting is a part of daily life. While energy may dip in the late afternoon, morning focus is often quite sharp. Note that in many Muslim-majority countries, working hours are often reduced to six-hour days. It is helpful to keep this in mind if you have clients or colleagues working globally.
What if I accidentally offer a fasting colleague food or drink?
Do not worry or over-apologize. Most people are used to it and a simple, “I'm sorry, I forgot,” is perfectly fine. The best support is to simply move on with the conversation.
How do prayer breaks work during the office day?
Most prayer breaks take only 10 to 15 minutes. During the workday, a colleague may step away for midday or afternoon prayers. Providing a quiet, clean space for these moments is usually the only accommodation needed.
What is the best way to support a colleague during the final ten nights?
The final ten nights are the most significant and often involve increased late-night worship. Colleagues may be noticeably more tired during this period. Offering extra flexibility with morning start times or avoiding heavy deadlines during this week is a very meaningful gesture.
Is there a specific greeting for the end of the month?
When Ramadan concludes, there is a celebration called Eid al-Fitr. The standard greeting is “Eid Mubarak,” which means “Blessed Celebration.” Since exact dates depend on the moon sighting, colleagues may request this time off on short notice.
Ramadan and giving
A way to give back
If this guide helped you or your team, consider donating to support emergency medical care through Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Share with colleagues and friends.