> For Muslims around the world, what's the ninth month of the year, during whichstrict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset?And the answer: Ramadan. Photo courtesy: iStock/allexxandar.For Muslims, the month of Ramadan is a periodof introspection and communal prayer. Islamic tradition states that duringRamadan, God gave the prophet Muhammed revelations, which were collected intothe holy book known as the Qur'an. The exact dates of Ramadan change each year,depending on the lunar cycle.According to Islamic tradition, it was during the sacred days of Ramadan thatGod revealed the holy book of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. In the Qur'an,fasting is prescribed as an act of worship and a means of becoming closer toGod. Fasting is also one of the five pillars of Islam – each individualobserving the holy month who is mature and healthy enough is thus prescribed todo so for the full day. Rather than practice atonement during the holy month, Ramadan is more gearedtoward practicing restraint (another pillar of Islam). While restrainttranslates most palpably into the act of fasting, it also translates into anurgency to leave behind immoral acts such as drink, sexual activity, and allimpure or unkind thoughts. If fast is broken, charity work such as volunteeringcan be performed in its place. After sunset, practicing families gather to break their fast with a meal calledthe ifṭār and conduct a nightly prayer. Oftentimes, if possible, families willcongregate at their mosque for prayer. The entirety of the Qur'an is sometimesrecited over the course of the month during these prayers. The end of Ramadan iscelebrated with Eid al-Fitr, the "Feast of Fast-Breaking." Families cometogether in a formal, familiar meal to exchange gifts and pray together. Learn more about the practice and history of this Islamic holy month below.