The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, which is known as the phases of the moon. The Holy Month of Ramadan therefore falls 10 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year. The Ramadan start date for 2023 is expected to begin on Wednesday 22 March, following the sighting of the moon over Mecca. Lasting for 30 days, Ramadan will end on Friday 21 April, with the celebratory days of Eid al-Fitr starting on Saturday 22 April or Sunday 23 April.
When does Ramadan start? Wednesday 22 March 2023 (subject to moon sighting)
How long is Ramadan? 30 days.
When does Ramadan end? Friday 21 April 2023 (subject to moon sighting)
When Is Laylat al-Qadr? On or around Monday 17 April
When Does Eid al-Fitr Start? Saturday 22 April 2023 (subject to moon sighting)
If you have any questions about Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, Zakat, Zakat al-Fitr, Fidya, Kaffarah or Eid ul-Fitr, please contact us and we will be happy to provide guidance.
Eid al-Fitr, which means 'Festival of Breaking the Fast', follows the month of Ramadan. Celebrated for up to three days, Eid al-Fitr does not begin until the sighting of the moon, although it is expected to start on Saturday 22 April or Sunday 23 April 2023 (subject to moon sighting). A time for feasting, giving gifts to children, and spending time with family and friends. Check with your local mosque for confirmation of dates and any community activities that are taking place near you.
Before the end of Ramadan and the special Eid al-Fitr prayer, all Muslims should make Zakat al-Fitr, a charitable contribution traditionally of a staple food item. Intended to help those less fortunate to enjoy the celebration of Eid al-Fitr with their friends and loved ones, you can donate Zakat al-Fitr through Muslim Aid, and we will distribute food items to those most in need.
You can donate Zakat al-Fitr any time throughout the month; however, like Zakat, many people choose to make their donation on Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), which falls in the last 10 days of Ramadan. The Night of Power is a special time in which rewards are multiplied.
While the whole month of Ramadan is seen as a time when Muslims can have even years’ worth of sins forgiven and receive increased blessings for their worship, the period which occurs during the last ten days of the month are seen as even more blessed.
Aisha reported: “The Prophet, on him be peace, used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he strove in earlier part of the month.”
Following the example of the Prophet, on him be peace, Muslims typically devote this time to recite longer portions of the Quran, spend portions of the night at their local mosque, known as i’tikaf, and make dua, or supplications, for whatever their hearts want most.
Within the last ten days of Ramadan also comes the opportunity to observe Laylatul Qadr, or “The Night of Power”, a night described by the Quran as “better than a thousand months”, in which proper observance of worship can earn one forgiveness for a lifetime of sins. This night is typically expected during the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan, though the night can occur during any night in this period.
“We have indeed revealed this in the 'Night of Power'. And what will explain to you what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” (Surah al-Qadr: 1-3)
With the blessings of an already special month being multiplied during this time, it will be important for Muslims to again increase their worship efforts during the last 10 days of Ramadan in 2023.
*Please note that the timing of the last ten days of Ramadan 2023 are subject to change.
Once you have calculated your Zakat, or you already know what your owed amount is, you can choose to make your donation through Greengate Trust. Doing so will support our appeals, helping thousands of innocent lives living in poverty around the world.
Zakat is a charity God obligates Muslims to pay yearly on their money and property. Its payment is made to the poor, vulnerable, and deserving as their divinely established right. The Prophet Muhammad, on him be peace, established Zakat as the third of the five pillars that Islam is built on.
Muslims pay Zakat to eight categories of eligible people set by God in the Quran (Surat Al-Tawbah, 9:60):
Sadaqah is the term used to describe a voluntary act of charity that is wide-reaching, for example a form of monetary charity or an act of kindness that can be performed in any amount, at any time of the year.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised the benefits of giving Sadaqah in a number of sayings: “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi)
Therefore, any act of kindness or support extended to other beings (including animals) for the sake of Allah (SWT), can be considered a Sadaqah or charity.
Muslims past the age of puberty and are of sound mind are eligible to pay Zakat as long as they meet the required Nisab threshold.
In order to be eligible to pay Zakat, your level of excess wealth must remain higher than the Nisab value for a full year. This is when your Zakat payment will be due.
Zakat is due on:
Gold and silver, including ornaments or jewellery containing gold and/or silver.
Cash held at home or in bank accounts.
Stocks and shares owned either directly or through investment funds.
Money lent to others.
Business stock in trade and merchandise.
Agricultural produce.
Livestock animals such as cows, goats and sheep.
Pensions.
Property owned for investment purposes.
Zakat is due a year after your level of personal wealth has reached the Nisab threshold. In order to remain eligible to pay Zakat, your level of excess wealth should remain higher than the Nisab for a full lunar year.
For example, if your level of expendable wealth exceeds the total Nisab value in the month of Ramadan, your payment will not be due until the following Ramadan, so long as your personal wealth remains above the threshold.
If at any time your wealth drops below the level of Nisab, you would cease being eligible to give Zakat. Once your wealth increases to the Nisab level, you would begin counting 12 lunar months from that point onwards.
Zakat can be paid in monthly instalments. To do this, divide the total amount of Zakat owed by 12 and set up a regular payment with Greengate Trust specifying Zakat as the type of donation.
Sponsoring an orphan is also another good way to give your Zakat on a monthly basis.
There are eight categories as outlined in the Qur’an:
The poor, those in debt, the wayfarer, those in the cause of Allah (SWT), the needy, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, to free those in captivity and those who collect and distribute Zakat payments.
If you have not paid Zakat from previous years in which you were eligible to do so, you must pay what you owe as soon as possible.
Missed Zakat would be calculated in the same way you calculate your current Zakat - however, you would use the Nisab value from the missed Zakat year, as opposed to the current Nisab value.
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