Useful Arabic Phrases To Learn For Ramadan

Every year, Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan. Observing Ramadan is one of the fundamental Five Pillars of Islam. During this time, Muslims not only fast but also devote more time to prayer and charity, as well as practice self-restraint to strengthen their relationship with and grow spiritually closer to Allah.

What is Ramadan
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting, worship, and spiritual development. It happens on the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. Observing Ramadan can vary from country to country, but this holy observation always begins and ends when the crescent moon appears.

Muslims fast from dawn to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan. They are also encouraged to not eat food and drink any water throughout daylight hours. Right before dawn and the fajr prayer, a small meal called suhur is eaten. At the end of the day, the fasting period is broken with prayer and iftar, an evening meal after sunset that is usually eaten with friends and family. The iftar usually starts with dates or apricots and water or milk, and a bigger meal happens after the evening prayers.

Extra nightly prayers called Tarawih are recited during the month of Ramadan. On the 27th night, Muslims observe a special night called the Night of Power or Night of Destiny or Layat al-Qadr. This night is also known to be the holiest night of the year as this is the time believed to be when the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from the Holy Quran.

When is Ramadan
Ramadan happens in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The holy month of Ramadan typically happens 10 to 12 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

How long is Ramadan
Ramadan is 20 to 30 days long.

Ramadan Greetings and Vocabulary

• رَمَضان كَريم (Ramadan Kareem): Wishing you a generous Ramadan
• رَمَضان مُبارَك (Ramadan Mubarak): Wishing you a blessed Ramadan
• تقبل الله (Taqabbal Allahu): May God accept your prayers or fasting
• مباركٌ عليكم الشّهر (Mubarak ‘alaikum al-shahr): Blessed be the month upon you
• عيد مُبارَك (Eid Mubarak): Wishing you a blessed Eid
• إفْطار (Iftar): refers to the meal eaten before the sun goes down it means “break fast”
• كل عام وأنتم بخير (Kullu ‘am wa antum bi-khayr): May every year find you in good health
• عيدُ الفِطْر (Eid al-Fitr): the beginning of the celebration that ends Ramadan and fasting
• جُمْعَة مُبارَكَة (Jumʻah Mubarakah): Blessed Friday
• تَراويح (Tarawih): special evening prayers offered during Ramadan
• سُحور (suhour): breakfast before dawn and the beginning of the fast
• تَمْر (Tamr): ripened dates
• جَلّاب (jallab): Middle Eastern fruit syrup drink during Ramadan, prepared with dates, carob, grape molasses, and rose water