The History of The Sacred Month of Ramadan

The History of The Sacred Month of Ramadan

Ramadan- the holiest month in the entire Hijri calendar. It is the month Muslims all around the world take part in by fasting, praying and practicing spiritual reflection. Their fasting consists of abstaining from food, any kind of drinks, and any other physical needs, instead they direct their attention towards self-discipline, gratitude, forgiveness and bettering their connection with Allah (SWT). There are many aspects that make Ramadan rank so high in significance, but the most profound and important event in the Islamic history was the revelation of the Holy Quran. But don't you question where the command of Ramadan came from? Did prophets prior to Prophet Muhammad take part in fasting?why was this particular month choose for fasting? Let take a deep dive in the history and origin of Ramadan. 

To understand the roots of Ramadan, we must go back to the very foundation of our faith. The 5 crucial elements of Islam, also known as "The Five Pillars of Islam" and these consist of  Profession of Faith (shahada), prayer (salat), alms (zakat), fasting (sawm), pilgrimage (hajj). As mentioned, fasting during Ramadan is one of the core pillars of Islam but prior to the obligation of fasting, Ramadan was already considered special. 

During the month of Ramadan, the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as he meditated in the Cave of Hira. This momentous event is known as Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Decree).

 The Quran was revealed over a span of many years however, it was in the month of Ramadan that it first started being revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) in Cave Hira, as mentioned in the Quran itself, 

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

"Ramaḍân 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 Ramaḍân˺. 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." [2:185]

The evidence of the Quran being revealed on the Night of Decree is mentioned in another surah,

"Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree." [97:1]

The revelation of the Quran was not just a moment in history—it was a turning point for humanity, a guide that illuminated the path of righteousness. The lessons and attributes highlighted in The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet are the perfect examples of what attributes us muslims should strive to adopt. Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) would be stressed with his surroundings, the constant idol worship and the immorality of the ones around him, he would retreat to meditate in Cave Hira to experience moments of clarity, silence, peace, and regulate his thoughts to maintain his mental wellbeing. Coincidentally, it was one of these moments when the prophethood was bestowed upon him as at one moment he was meditating and in the other he suddenly found himself face to face with the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). The first word he heard was "Iqra’!" (Read!), marking the beginning of divine guidance.

But Ramadan wasn’t always a month of fasting. Before it was prescribed, the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions would voluntarily fast on certain days, following the practices of earlier prophets. Fasting had existed in previous nations, as Allah mentions:

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous."  [2:183]

This ayah tells us that fasting was not a new command. Prophets before Muhammad(PBUH), including Musa (AS) and Isa (AS), observed fasting as an act of devotion. However, the obligation of fasting the entire month of Ramadan was established in the second year of Hijrah. It was during this time that the Muslim community in Madinah was growing, and divine laws were being implemented to shape a structured and disciplined society.

Allah made it clear that the purpose of fasting is not just abstaining from food and drink but attaining taqwa (God-consciousness). Hunger and thirst are a means to an end: strengthening one's connection with the Creator, gaining self-restraint, and developing empathy for those who are less fortunate. The Prophet ﷺ beautifully described the reward of fasting when he said:

"Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven." [Sahih al-Bukhari 38]

This shows that fasting is not a mere ritual—it is a means of purification, an opportunity to reset one's spiritual compass. And in this, we find the true essence of Ramadan.