''RAMADAN''
''RAMADAN'' Ramadan ( / ˌ r æ m ə ˈ d ɑː n / ; Arabic : رمضان Ramaḍān , IPA: [rama ˈdˤaːn] ; also romanized as Ramazan , Ramadhan , or Ramathan ) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar , and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting ( Sawm ) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam . The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon , according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths . The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding , diabetic , chronically ill or menstruating . F