In the Qur'an, this month is mentioned as the month in which this book was revealed to the Prophet (s). The Night of al-Qadr is in this month. This is the only month whose name is explicitly mentioned and praised in the Qur'an. Also, 21st of this month marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam 'Ali (a).

Among the most important recommended practices in this month are reciting the Qur'an, observing night vigil at the three possible nights of al-Qadr, praying, repenting, giving Iftar meals to others and helping the needy.

Due to great significance of this month, committing sins in this month leads to worse divine punishments in this world and in the Hereafter.

This month is greatly revered by Muslims and is considered their month of worship and the faithfuls prepare themselves spiritually in the previous months of Rajab and Sha'ban to begin this month prepared and ready to receive its blessings.

The name of "Ramadan" is derived from the Arabic root form "r-m-d"  meaning "heating up" and "burning". Some philologists believe the reason behind choosing the word "Ramadan" for the month was the hot weather of the month (at the time of the coinage) and is not related to the fasting, because the month was named Ramadan before Islam.

Ramadan is the only month mentioned in the Qur'an and revered;

“The month of Ramadan is one in which the Qur'an was sent down as guidance to mankind, with manifest proofs of guidance and the Criterion. So let those of you who witness it fast [in] it”.

Fasting (or Sawm) is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam, which is literally defined as to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks, etc., before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. It's an obligatory task for every Muslim to fast all days of Ramadan, except the ones with accepted excuses such as not being able to fast because of some illness or pregnancy, or being on travel. Beside not eating and drinking, there are also some others necessities for a true fasting, such as abstention from sins.

Some practices are common practices and are recommended for all days of Ramadan and there are some practices for certain days.

Common Practices

The following are among common practices in this month:

• Reciting the Qur'an: best practice in days and nights of Ramadan is reciting the Qur'an. The reward for reciting one verse of the Qur'an in this month equals the reward for reciting the whole Qur'an in other months.^[21] It is among Muslims' traditions to recite one Juz' of the Qur'an every day in this month.
• Reciting al-Sahar supplication
• Reciting Supplication of Abu Hamza al-Thumali at Sahar before dawn
• Giving Iftiar meal to people; It is mentioned in hadiths that the reward for giving Iftar to people is more than fasting of the giver
• Reciting al-Iftitah supplication every night
• Reciting al-Hajj supplication every night

Special Practices for Certain Days

Mu'takif students in Baqiyyat Allah Mosque in Tehran, Iran. Some of the students are reciting the Qur'an, while some others are sleeping. Ramadan of 1435/2014.

There are special practices recommended for some days and nights of Ramadan such as;

Reciting Du'a no. 43 of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya at the first night of Ramadan,

Performing ghusl (ritual bath) on the first day and first night of Ramadan,

Doing a two-rak'as prayer on the 13th night of the month which is the first night of Ayyam al-Bid so that in every rak'a, after reciting Sura al-Fatiha, the three Suras of Yasin, al-Mulk and al-Tawhid should be recited,

Special practices for the three Nights of Qadr

I'tikaf in the last ten days of the month

Reciting Sura al-An'am, Kahf and Yasin in the last night of the Month.