Ramadan (the month of fasting): its name, the sighting of its crescent, its special features, and the virtues and acts of worship recommended in it

رمضان

Ramadan is the name of the known month; it is said to have been named for the season of intense heat when the Arabs gave the months their names. ¹ The month is established by sighting the crescent; if that is impossible, Sha'ban is completed to thirty days. The jurists differ on the number of witnesses: the Hanafis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis accept one just witness, while the Malikis require two. ^{1 2 3} The jurists agree that the end of Ramadan (the crescent of Shawwal) needs two witnesses. ^{3 4} Ramadan is distinguished by the revelation of the Qur'an in it, by the obligation of its fast (agreed by the community), by the excellence of charity in it, by the night of power, and by the recommended taraweeh and i'tikaf in its last ten nights. ^{4 5 6} Studying and reciting the Qur'an are especially recommended in it, giving alms and the lesser pilgrimage are more meritorious, and the jurists differ on whether earning a living or devoting oneself to worship is better in it. ^{6 7}