Prayer and reading of the Qur'an-e-Kareem

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an-e-Kareem. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an-e-Kareem by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an-e-Kareem (juz, which is 1/30 of the Qur'an-e-Kareem) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an-e-Kareem would be completed at the end of the month.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment, establishing a link between themselves and Allah through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involved the preparing of special foods and inviting people for the Iftar meal (the meal to open the fast).

In many Muslim and non Muslim countries with large Muslim populations, markets close down in the evening to enable people to perform prayers and consume the Iftar meal – these markets then re-open and stay open for a good part of the night. Muslims can be seen shopping, eating, spending time with their friends and family during the evening hours. A muslim should start fasting once reached the age of puberty, are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesess.