Ramadan existed even before Islam, but it did not carry a religious meaning.
On the Arabian Peninsula, it was one of the months used in the lunar calendar. The word “Ramadan” is derived from the Arabic verb ramada, which means “to burn” or “scorching heat.” It is likely that the name originated from a period when the month coincided with intense heat. However, the events of the 7th century transformed this ordinary span of time into a sacred chapter of history.
In 610 CE, in the Cave of Hira located on Mount Nur near Mecca, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him) was in deep contemplation. Meccan society at that time was shaped by idolatry, social injustice, and tribal discrimination. According to historical sources, that night fell during the month of Ramadan. According to Islamic tradition, it was on that night that the Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) brought the first revelation, and the command “Read!” marked the beginning of the prophetic mission. This event signified the beginning not only of a new religion, but also of a new understanding of time.
In the early years, Ramadan had not yet been established as a distinct month of worship. Revelation continued gradually, while the Muslim community in Mecca lived under persecution. The sanctity of Ramadan was connected to the revelation of the Qur’an during this month, but fasting had not yet been made obligatory. The systematization of Islamic law took place during the Medinan period.
In 622 CE, the Hijrah (migration) occurred. The Muslim community began to organize itself politically and religiously in Medina. In the second year after the Hijrah, that is in 624 CE, fasting during Ramadan was made obligatory. In Surah Al-Baqarah of the Qur’an, it is reminded that fasting had also been prescribed for previous communities, and Muslims were commanded to abstain from food, drink, and certain actions from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan. Thus, Ramadan became not only the month of revelation but also a structured period of worship.
In the same year, the Battle of Badr took place during Ramadan. For historians, this event is considered a turning point in political and military terms. The Muslim community achieved its first major victory, further strengthening Ramadan’s place in collective memory. In later centuries, Ramadan was remembered not only as a month of personal worship but also as a witness to historic transformations.
During the 7th and 8th centuries, the Islamic world expanded rapidly. Under the Umayyads and later the Abbasids, Ramadan became the central event of public life. In major cities, mosques filled with night prayers, and the tradition of completing the full recitation of the Qur’an (khatm) developed. Iftar meals were organized at the state level, and social aid increased. Ramadan evolved into an institution that reinforced both social solidarity and religious identity.
In the Middle Ages, Ramadan became an inseparable part of Islamic civilization. In centers such as Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, and Cordoba, Ramadan nights were marked by scholarly discussions, religious lessons, and public gatherings. Especially during the Abbasid period, madrasas and libraries were more active during Ramadan nights. The month was regarded not only as a time of worship but also as a period of intellectual revival.
During the Ottoman era, Ramadan became the main event of urban culture. In Istanbul, illuminated inscriptions known as mahya were displayed between minarets, mass iftar gatherings were organized, and receptions were held at the palace. Ramadan became a period where religious and cultural rituals merged.
In the territory of Azerbaijan, Ramadan has been observed since the early period of Islamization. During the Safavid era and the subsequent khanates, mosques and religious ceremonies strengthened the social significance of the month. In the 19th and 20th centuries, despite political changes, Ramadan was preserved as a family tradition. During the Soviet period, religious ceremonies were openly restricted, yet in many families fasting and iftar traditions continued in secrecy. This demonstrates that Ramadan is not only a religious institution but also an element of cultural memory.
In the modern era, Ramadan is observed on a global scale. In Muslim-majority countries, events are organized at the state level, while in non-Muslim countries Ramadan is maintained through diaspora communities. Under the influence of media and technology, Ramadan is no longer confined to the mosque and the home; it is also experienced through international humanitarian initiatives, television programs, and digital platforms.
Historically, Ramadan evolved from a calendar month into a religious institution, a social mechanism, and a form of cultural identity. Its main turning point was the event of revelation in 610 CE, while its institutionalization is linked to the obligation of fasting in 624 CE. Despite political changes over the centuries, Ramadan has maintained a stable religious structure within the Islamic world.
The history of Ramadan shows that it is not merely a form of worship, but a religious and cultural phenomenon that has gained continuity over time. The revelation that began in the desert gradually developed over centuries into a tradition that is now observed worldwide.