Ramadan means 'scorching' in Arabic, Ramadan was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as "the Night of Power".

Ramadan for Muslims was introduced in three stages. The first saw the option to fast or to not fast and feed others in need instead.

In the second stage, fasting was made a religious obligation, but if the fast was not broken at sunset, a person could not eat until the following pre-dawn meal. In the third stage, Ms Iqbal explains fasting as it is observed today.
Fasting takes place throughout the month of Ramadan, the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins by either the sighting of the new crescent moon or completing 30 days of the previous month Sha'ban (if the moon is not sighted).

The month ends after the new moon for the following month (Shawwal) is sighted, or after fasting for 30 days.