The month of Ramadan holds a special place in the heart of the Islamic tradition, not only for its spiritual significance as a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection but also as a period rich with historical events that have significantly influenced the Muslim community. This sacred month is observed by Muslims around the globe as an opportunity for spiritual renewal and moral realignment. Beyond its religious observances, Ramadan serves as a reminder of key historical moments—ranging from battles that defined the early Muslim community’s resilience to the peaceful revelations that offered guidance and solace to believers. These events, occurring across different epochs, illustrate the profound impact of this holy month on the fabric of Islamic history.
Imam Hasan’s birth reminds the faithful of the virtues of patience and unity, while Imam Ali’s martyrdom underscores the values of justice and steadfast faith. Laylat al-Qadr represents a time for prayer, forgiveness, and reflection on the divine guidance bestowed upon humanity. Collectively, these events enrich the Ramadan experience, deepening the community’s connection to their faith and history.
| Event | Date | Hijri Year (AH) |
|---|---|---|
| Death of Lady Nafisa; descendant of Imam Hasan | 1 Ramadan | 208 AH |
| Death of Ibn Sina; philosopher, scientist, doctor | 1 Ramadan | 428 AH |
| Death of Sheikh Al-Mufid; theologian, jurist | 2 Ramadan | 413 AH |
| Start of Imam Reza’s (AS) vicegerency | 6 Ramadan | 201 AH |
| Start of the Battle of Qadisiyyah | 7 Ramadan | 14 AH |
| Death of Lady Khadijah (AS) | 10 Ramadan | 10 years after Prophethood |
| Arrival of first letters from Kufans to Imam Hussein (AS) | 10 Ramadan | 60 AH |
| Brotherhood between Migrants and Ansar, and between Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and Imam Ali (AS) | 12 Ramadan | 1 AH |
| Death of Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf | 13 Ramadan | 95 AH |
| Arrival of letters from notables of Kufa to Imam Hussein (AS) | 14 Ramadan | 60 AH |
| Death of Al-Mukhtar Al-Thaqafi | 14 Ramadan | 67 AH |
| Birth of Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (AS) | 15 Ramadan | 3 AH |
| Marriage of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) to Zaynab bint Khuzayma | 15 Ramadan | 3 AH |
| Muslim bin Aqeel heads towards Kufa | 15 Ramadan | 60 AH |
| Martyrdom of Muhammad bin Abdullah (Al-Nafs Al-Zakiyya) | 15 Ramadan | 145 AH |
| Birth of Imam Al-Jawad (AS) (according to a narration) | 15 Ramadan | 195 AH |
| Birth of Sheikh Al-Tusi; jurist, hadith scholar | 15 Ramadan | 385 AH |
| Event | Date | Hijri Year (AH) |
|---|---|---|
| Death of Sheikh Muhammad Reda Al-Muzaffar; jurist, usuli, founder of the College of Fiqh in Najaf | 16 Ramadan | 1383 AH |
| The Prophet’s (PBUH&HP) Ascension (Mi’raj) according to some narrations | 17 Ramadan | 5 years after Prophethood |
| Start of the Battle of Badr, the first battle of Muslims against the Quraysh led by the Prophet (PBUH&HP) | 17 Ramadan | 2 AH |
| The revelation of the Zabur (Psalms) to Prophet David (AS) according to some narrations | 17 Ramadan | 2 AH |
| Death of Sheikh Muhammad Reda Al-Muzaffar; jurist, Usuli, founder of the College of Fiqh in Najaf | 18 Ramadan | — |
| First Night of Qadr (Laylat al-Qadr) | 18 Ramadan | 1 year after Prophethood |
| First day of Qadr | 19 Ramadan | 1 year after Prophethood |
| Attack on Imam Ali (AS) by Ibn Muljim in the mosque of Kufa | 19 Ramadan | 40 AH |
| Second Night of Qadr (Laylat al-Qadr) | 20 Ramadan | 1 year after Prophethood |
| Conquest of Mecca by Muslims led by the Prophet (PBUH&HP) in response to Quraysh’s breach of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah | 20 Ramadan | 8 AH |
| Death of Prophet Moses (AS) and Joshua son of Nun, prophets of the Children of Israel, according to some narrations | 21 Ramadan | — |
| Ascension of Prophet Jesus (AS) to heaven according to some narrations | 21 Ramadan | — |
| Second Day of Qadr | 21 Ramadan | 1 year after Prophethood |
| Martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS) | 21 Ramadan | 40 AH |
| Execution of Ibn Muljim, the murderer of Imam Ali (AS) | 21 Ramadan | 40 AH |
| People’s allegiance to Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (AS) as caliph | 21 Ramadan | 1028 AH |
| Death of Sayyid Majid bin Hashim Al-Bahrani; jurist, hadith scholar, and poet | 21 Ramadan | 1104 AH |
| Death of Al-Hurr Al-Amili; jurist, hadith scholar, author of Wasa’il al-Shia | 21 Ramadan | — |
| Third Night of Qadr (Laylat al-Qadr) | 22 Ramadan | 1 year after Prophethood |
| Day of Qadr and the day of the Quran’s revelation (based on the possibility of one of three nights) | 23 Ramadan | — |
| Completion of Al-Mizan in the interpretation of the Quran by Allama Tabatabai, one of the Shiite Tafsirs | 23 Ramadan | 1392 AH |
| Death of Abu Lahab, the Prophet’s (PBUH&HP) uncle and a vehement enemy of Islam | 24 Ramadan | 2 AH |
| Death of Marwan ibn Al-Hakam, fourth Caliph of the Umayyads and an enemy of the Ahlulbayt (AS) | 24 Ramadan | 65 AH |
| Death of Allama Majlisi; one of the most famous hadith scholars and jurists among the followers of the Ahlulbayt (AS), author of Bihar al-Anwar (the largest Shiite hadith encyclopedia) | 27 Ramadan | 1110 AH |
| Disappearance of Imam Musa Al-Sadr | 27 Ramadan | 1398 AH |
| Birth of Allama Al-Hilli; jurist, theologian, hadith scholar, author of Kashf al-Murad and Nahj al-Haq in the doctrines of Shia | 29 Ramadan | 648 AH |