Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran was revealed.
Despite many false reports that it is Ramadan is not a holy month in the Islamic calendar, though the holiest night of the year does occur during this month. There are four holy months in the Islamic calendar and Ramadan is not one of them. The four holy months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qadr, and DhulHijr. The 1st, 7th, 11th and 12th month respectively. Ramadan is not a holy month but it is important because the mandatory fasting period fasting is in this month and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the lowest heaven during this month, thus being prepared for gradual revelation by the Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell (Jahannum) would be closed . The first day of the next month, Shawwal, is spent in celebrations and is observed as the "Festival of Breaking Fast" or `Eid ul-Fitr.