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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year. During which the fasting is observed from dawn to sunset (dusk). Sometimes, it comes a day ahead of the expected start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. It was during this month that the Quraanic revelation began.  

The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic word (ramd) which means extreme heat. When they shifted the names of the months from the old language, they named them according to the times they came in. The time of the month of Ramadan came corresponding to the severe heat; its name came from there. It was also said that the name came from the Arabic verb (ramadah) example: (Ramadah al saiym), if his stomach becomes hot from thirsty. We say, the month of Ramadan, the month of Rabee, but for the rest of the months, we say Muharam, Safar, Shaaban and so on.

Its legitimacy from Qur'an comes from:   

 ((O you who believe!  Soam (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you might be pious))

This is verse 182 of Surat Albagara from the holy Qur'an.  It is the proof for its legality. From Sunnah, it is this Hadeeth narrated by Abdullah, son of Khalif Omar ibnul Khatab (May Allah be pleased with them):

(Islam is based on five; 1- Shihadah, (there is no God but Allah), and Mohamed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is his messenger, 2- Keep up the five prayers. 3-  Zakat (chaste, or the obligatory tax that Muslim gives), 4-  The fasting of Ramadan and 5- Hajj (pilgrim for those who can afford it.

In the first night of Ramadan, the devils or demons are chained. The doors of Hell (Jahanam, are closed), and the doors of heaven are opened.

To be continued.