How to say happy Ramadan to a Muslim – Different Greetings & Sayings

Ramadan is considered the most sacred and holiest month in the Islamic Hijri (Lunar) calendar. According to Islamic scriptures, it was during this exalted month that archangel Jibrail (AS) descended from the heavens and revealed the first Quranic verses to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the cave of Hira.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims spend their time fasting from dawn till dusk, worshipping Allah SWT, and giving charity to help those in need. Keep reading to learn how to say Happy Ramadan to your loved ones.

What Is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and marks the time when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The word Ramadan literally means “scorching heat” in Arabic. Muslims are required to spend a period of 29 to 30 days abstaining from food and drink, including water, during daylight hours, as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam – the fundamental rules that all Muslims follow – along with the Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

During Ramadan, there is an increased offering of the Salat, with Muslims giving thanks to Allah, while the fasting ritual allows them to understand the suffering of others. Those fasting are encouraged to spend time reading the Quran, and the sacred text is recited again during Tarawih, which are special prayers held after Isha throughout the month.

When Is Ramadan 2023?

Even though the Islamic calendar (Hijri Calendar) comprises 12 months, each depending upon the sighting of the moon, the arrival of Ramadan has always been associated with a certain amount of contemplation and mystique.

Traditionally, the exact date for Ramadan’s beginning is determined by a group of Islamic scholars under the cover of the night sky as they keenly seek to observe certain sightings related to the new moon’s appearance. 

This is precisely why the date of the beginning of Ramadan varies in different parts of the globe typically by one day. So the answer to the question, “When is Ramadan 2023?” is that it widely depends on where you live.

For instance, according to the International Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences in the UAE, Ramadan 2023 is expected to begin on Thursday, 23 March 2023 and is expected to last 30 days which means that it will end on Thursday, 20 April 2023. 

On the other hand, if you live in the UK, Ramadan 2023 is expected to start on Wednesday, 22 March 2023, and is expected to end on the evening of Friday, 21 April 2023. However, these days are only tentative and might vary depending upon the sighting of the moon. 

How to Wish Somebody a Happy Ramadan in 2023

According to Islamic scriptures, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to tell his Companions the good news of the onset of Ramadan and urge them to make the most of it. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that: “The Messenger (PBUH) of Allaah SWT said, ‘There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month. Allah SWT has made it obligatory on you to fast (this month). During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are chained up. In it there is a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is deprived indeed.’” (Reported by al-Nisaa’i, 4/129; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/490)

Ramadan Mubarak

Pronounced “Ram-Ah-Dan Mu-Ba-Rack”, Ramadan Mubarak is an Arabic term that literally translates to “Happy Ramadan” or “May you have a blessed Ramadan.” Wishing someone Ramadan Mubarak is the traditional way of saying Happy Ramadan and shows a bit of interest in Islamic culture. 

Even though you might hear different versions of this greeting across the globe, saying “Ramadan Mubarak” is one of the simplest ways to wish your Muslim friend in an English-speaking country. 

However, if your Muslim friend wishes you “Ramadan Mubarak,” you can respond to them by saying “You as well” or “Khair Mubarak.” 

Ramadan Kareem

Translating to “Have a generous Ramadan,” Ramadan Kareem is an Arabic term that is pronounced as “Ram-ah-dan Kah-reem.” It expresses one’s wish for their loved ones to have plenty of   opportunities for growth, family time, and reflection. 

The appropriate response for “Ramadan Kareem” is “Allahu Akram,” meaning “God is much more generous.” According to some Islamic scholars, it is more important to use the greeting before or after the sacred month of Ramadan and not during Ramadan itself. 

What Do You Reply When Someone Says, Ramadan Mubarak?

“Ramadan Mubarak” is one of the most well-known greetings exchanged at the beginning of the sacred month in Islam. It literally means to “have a blessed celebration,” or “blessed celebration.” Ramadan Mubarak also has the same meaning as “Happy Ramadan.”

So when someone greets you with “Ramadan Mubarak” you can simply reply to them by saying “Khair Mubarak” meaning that you reciprocate the blessed wishes or “JazakAllah Khair” which means “May Allah SWT reward you with goodness.” 

Ramadan Messages to Send to Friends and Family

Being the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan carries immense significance in the life of Muslims. It is a time when Muslims come together, exchange Ramadan wishes, and pray to Allah SWT.

Ramadan wishes and messages make up an indispensable part of prayers for family and friends. However, one might falter on how to wish someone, Ramadan Mubarak. To help you choose the right Ramadan Kareem messages, here is a list of messages that you can send to your loved ones.  

• “Like the month of harvest reaps the seeds of your hard work, may this Ramadan reap the seeds of your good deeds. Ramadan Kareem to all of you.”
• “May this Ramadan be as bright as ever!”  
• “Wishing you all the blessings of the holy month.”
• “As you fast and offer prayers to Allah, may you find your peace and happiness. Have a peaceful and happy Ramadan“.
• “Let the spirit of Ramadan remain in your heart and light up your soul from within.”
• “May Allah always guide you all throughout your journey in life. I wish this Ramadan will infuse you with courage that will help you be triumphant over the adversities of life.”
• “I pray for your continuous abundance in life, joy, and satisfaction. May all of these will grant to you, for you are a great brother I treasure. A blessed Ramadan to you!”
• “The Holy Quran descended this month, bringing with it the guide for humankind. Its texts are pure; its teachings are classic. May this Ramadan help you make the proper judgment. May the holy month categorize truth from falsehood. Happy Ramadan to my beloved friends and family.”
• “May this divine month of Ramadan erase your sinful past and bless the heart with love, kindness, and mercy. Ramadan Mubarak!”
• “I hope this Ramadan you have a change of heart. May the divine month change your perception. May the festival be your guide when the darkness tries to take over your soul. Ramadan Mubarak, friend.”
• “I pray this Ramadan Allah know all your secrets. May He answer all your prayers, wipe away all your fears, take away all your tears, grant all your wishes, and fulfill all the desires of your heart friend.”
• “May this holy month bring forgiveness to those who did wrong to you. Your soul rise above all malign intentions. May your heart be set free of all the evils.”
• “I hope this Ramadan you focus only on Allah and worship Him all your being. Ramadan Mubarak from my family to yours.”
• “I sincerely pray this divine month illuminate your soul. May Allah shower blessings on you. May the celebrations this year be peaceful for you. Ramadan Kareem friend.”
• “May this divine month bring your family together and multiply your happiness by infinity. Ramadan Mubarak from my family to yours.”
• “May Allah bless the hands that prepare the feast of Iftar. May they prosper, feed the hungry, and spread love in their surroundings. Ramadan Kareem to you and your family.”
• “I pray kindness grow in your heart like water in the ocean. May the celebrations of this Ramadan be as vast as the sky above your head. Ramadan Kareem to all your loved ones.”
• “May this holy month assist you in good deeds. All your sins be forgiven. May your soul find solace in this Ramadan.”
• “Allah’s love is greater than all the amount of water in this world and all the stars in the sky. This Ramadan, surrender yourself in His praise, and you shall be the happiest person on the Earth.”
• “Allah is the designer of this world; He is the supreme. Bow your head in His worship, and in this holy month, all the desires in your heart shall be fulfilled. Happy Ramadan family.”

Ramadan Messages to Send to Your Employees

Celebrate the month of Ramadan with your employees and co-workers. With a promise to fill every heart with inspiration and hope, here is a list of some sweet Ramadan wishes to send to all your professional acquaintances: 

• “Wishing a very Happy Ramadan to the staff and employees who work hard each day…we wish you the best of success and happiness in life and lots of blessings from Allah on this occasion.”
• “May the crescent-shaped moon brighten your path toward enlightenment and may Allah bless you with peace and grace.”
• “Four weeks of blessings to you this Ramadan.”
• “May Allah bring you peace and happiness this Ramadan.”
• “Wishing you all the blessings of this holy month.”
• “Ramadan is the opportunity for you to cancel all your sinful actions and work harder for a progressive and glorious tomorrow…Ramadan Mubarak for you!”
• “May this Ramadan fill you with harmony, joy, and peace.”
• “I wish you four weeks of blessings, 30 days of clemency, and 720 hours of enlightenment. Happy Ramadan!”
• “May Allah always be there to shower you with His blessings and strengthen you with courage and knowledge for a successful tomorrow…wishing a happy Ramadan!”
• “Ramadan Mubarak to all our employees…we wish you the best of success and prosperity with the choicest blessings of Allah.”
• “In this month of blessings, we hope that you will be forgiven of all the mistakes you have made and blessed with opportunities to grow and prosper…Happy Ramadan.”
• “Let us thank Allah Almighty for giving us the opportunity to fast and pray in this holy month of Ramadan…wishing a very happy Ramadan to you and your loved ones.”
• “Wishing a happy Ramadan to the staff and employees who work hard every day…we wish you the best of success and happiness in life and many blessings from Allah on this occasion.”
• “Always keep faith in Him and offer your prayers with a pure heart, body and mind to seek His love and blessings…wishing everyone a blessed Ramadan.”
• “On the occasion of Ramadan Kareem, we wish you a fruitful month full of blessings and happiness…. Ramadan Mubarak to all members of our staff.”

What Does Ramadan Kareem Mean?

“Ramadan Kareem,” has two meanings. The first one is “Have a blessed Ramadan,” whereas the second one is “Have a generous Ramadan.”

Summary – How to Say Happy Ramadan to a Muslim

Whether you are a Muslim or not, being open to learning new things about Islam can not only bring you closer to the Muslims in your life but also enhances your communication skills and connects you with those you care for on a deeper level. 

Marking the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a month of charity and goodwill and so Muslims worldwide are always eager and happy to share this wonderful and blessed time with everyone around them.

Whether you meet a Muslim on the street or receive an invitation for an Iftar, remember to be respectful and greet them in a traditional way. So, if someone says “Happy Ramadan,” or “Ramadan Mubarak” to you, reply to them by saying “Khair Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem to you as well.” Just remember that wishing someone well doesn’t make you small and if it’s a month as special as Ramadan, everyone must celebrate it. 

Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak to you!