Ramadan Mubarak, and Ramadan Kareem

Ramadan Mubarak (رَمَضَانُ مُبَارَكٌ) means "a blessed Ramadan". Ramadan Kareem (رَمَضَانُ كَرِيمٌ) means "a generous Ramadan". Muslims say both when the month begins and through its days. Neither wording is fixed in a hadith, but the idea is: the Prophet ﷺ gave his Companions the good news of Ramadan's arrival.

The hadith behind it

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah has made fasting it obligatory on you. In it the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months" (Sunan an-Nasa'i 2106). Al-Albani graded it sahih; some scholars note a break in its chain, between Abu Qilabah and Abu Hurayrah, and accept it with its supporting reports. Ibn Rajab said this hadith is a basis for Muslims congratulating one another on Ramadan.

Is it allowed to say Ramadan Mubarak?

Ramadan Kareem: is it wrong?

A few scholars disliked "Ramadan Kareem", because the month does not give anything by itself: it is Allah who is generous in it. They also warned against the idea that Ramadan is so generous that sins in it do not matter. Most scholars see no problem in the phrase, because Arabic often calls a time generous for what Allah gives in it, just as the Quran calls itself kareem, noble: "Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an" (56:77). If you prefer to avoid the debate, say Ramadan Mubarak. Our answer Can you say Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem? has the details.

How to reply

• To Ramadan Kareem: Allahu akram (اللَّهُ أَكْرَمُ), "Allah is more generous". This is a custom, not from a hadith, and a good one.
• To Ramadan Mubarak: Ramadan Mubarak to you too, or Khair Mubarak in South Asia, or a dua such as "may Allah accept from us and from you".
• In the Gulf you will also hear mubarak alaykum ash-shahr, "may the month be blessed for you", and the same reply back.

When to say it

From the night the Ramadan moon is announced through the first days of the month, and to anyone you meet for the first time in Ramadan. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027. At the end of the month the greeting becomes Eid Mubarak. See the Ramadan countdown.

Can non-Muslims say Ramadan Mubarak?

Yes, and Muslims appreciate it. "Ramadan Mubarak" or "have a blessed Ramadan" from a colleague or teacher is a kind gesture.

Spellings

Ramadan Mubarak, Ramzan Mubarak (South Asia), Ramadhan Mubarak, Ramadan Kareem and Ramadan Karim are the same greetings.

1. Sunan an-Nasa'i 2106, from Abu Hurayrah. Al-Albani graded it sahih; some scholars point to a break in its chain (Abu Qilabah from Abu Hurayrah) and accept it with its supporting reports.
2. Quran 56:77, translation by Sahih International.
3. Ibn Rajab, Lata'if al-Ma'arif, on Ramadan.
4. Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, Bab al-Idayn. The other madhhabs' positions are summarised from their standard manuals.

Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar.