Muslim Trivia Blog

Ramadan Trivia: 15 Questions to Test Your Knowledge

How much do you know about Ramadan? Test yourself with 15 trivia questions about fasting, Laylatul Qadr, taraweeh, and the spiritual significance of the holy month. All answers sourced.

Ramadan: More Than Just Fasting

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the most sacred time of year for Muslims worldwide. While fasting from dawn to sunset is its most visible practice, Ramadan encompasses far more: increased prayer, Quran recitation, charitable giving, self-reflection, and the pursuit of taqwa (God-consciousness). Allah says in the Quran: "O you who have believed, fasting has been decreed upon you as it was decreed upon those before you, that you may attain taqwa" (Quran 2:183).

For over 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan transforms daily routines. Families wake before dawn for suhoor (the pre-dawn meal), break their fast at sunset with iftar, and gather for taraweeh prayers at the mosque each night. The month culminates in the search for Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree) — a single night that the Quran describes as "better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3).

Whether you are a lifelong Muslim preparing for another blessed Ramadan or someone learning about this pillar of Islam for the first time, the questions below will test and expand your knowledge of this extraordinary month.

The Basics of Fasting

Fasting during Ramadan (sawm) is the fourth pillar of Islam. It requires abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from the break of dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib). But fasting is not merely a physical exercise — it is a spiritual discipline. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, all his past sins will be forgiven" (Sahih al-Bukhari 38).

Fasting teaches empathy for those who go hungry, strengthens self-control, and draws the believer closer to Allah through heightened awareness of every action and intention. The questions below cover the fundamentals of fasting and Ramadan observance.

Question 1

How many times a day do Muslims pray?

Answer: Five

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 528

The five daily prayers (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) were prescribed during the Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj).

Question 2

What is the name of the month in which Muslims fast?

Answer: Ramadan

Source: Quran 2:185

Allah says in the Quran: 'The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed.' Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Question 3

What greeting do Muslims say when they meet each other?

Answer: As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you)

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6234

The Prophet ﷺ said: 'You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the salaam among yourselves.'

Question 4

What do Muslims say when they hear the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?

Answer: Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings be upon him)

Source: Quran 33:56

Allah says: 'Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace.' (Quran 33:56)

Question 5

What phrase do Muslims say before eating?

Answer: Bismillah (In the name of Allah)

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5376

The Prophet ﷺ taught us to say 'Bismillah' before eating and 'Alhamdulillah' after finishing. He ﷺ said: 'Mention Allah's Name and eat with your right hand.'

Question 6

What do Muslims celebrate at the end of Ramadan?

Answer: Eid al-Fitr

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 952

Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal, the day after Ramadan ends. It includes a special prayer, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and festive gatherings.

Laylatul Qadr and the Last Ten Nights

The last ten nights of Ramadan hold special significance because among them is Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree). This is the night on which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Surah Al-Qadr describes it: "The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn" (Quran 97:3-5).

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Muslims to seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017). Many Muslims spend these nights in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) at the mosque, devoting themselves entirely to worship. Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ what supplication to make on this night, and he taught her: "O Allah, You are the Pardoner and You love to pardon, so pardon me" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3513).

Question 1

What is the holy book of Islam?

Answer: The Quran

Source: Quran 56:77-80

The Quran is the word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the angel Jibril (AS) over a period of 23 years.

Question 2

What is the first surah (chapter) of the Quran?

Answer: Surah Al-Fatiha

Source: Quran 1:1-7

Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening) is the first surah of the Quran and is recited in every unit (rakah) of prayer.

Question 3

Which prophet was swallowed by a whale?

Answer: Prophet Yunus (Jonah) (AS)

Source: Quran 37:142

Allah says: 'Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.' (Quran 37:142). Prophet Yunus (AS) called upon Allah from the belly of the whale and was saved.

Question 4

Which prophet built the Ark and survived the great flood?

Answer: Prophet Nuh (Noah) (AS)

Source: Quran 11:37-48

Allah commanded Prophet Nuh (AS) to build an ark to save the believers from a great flood sent as punishment for those who rejected his message after 950 years of preaching.

Question 5

How many surahs (chapters) are in the Quran?

Answer: 114

Source: Scholarly consensus (Ijma)

The Quran contains 114 surahs, starting with Surah Al-Fatiha and ending with Surah An-Nas. This is agreed upon by all Muslim scholars.

Fiqh of Fasting: Rules and Rulings

The fiqh (jurisprudence) of fasting covers important practical details that every Muslim should know. Who is exempt from fasting? What invalidates the fast? What is the difference between suhoor and iftar? The questions below address these practical aspects of Ramadan observance. Understanding the rules helps you observe the fast correctly and with confidence.

It is worth noting that Islamic scholars across the four major schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali) agree on the fundamentals of fasting while differing on some details. When in doubt, consult a knowledgeable scholar in your community.

Question 1

What direction do Muslims face when they pray?

Answer: Towards the Kaaba in Makkah

Source: Quran 2:144

Muslims face the Kaaba in Makkah (the Qibla) for prayer. The direction was changed from Jerusalem to Makkah during the Prophet's ﷺ time in Madinah.

Question 2

What must a Muslim do before performing prayer?

Answer: Wudu (ablution/washing)

Source: Quran 5:6

Allah commands: 'O you who believe! When you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles.' (Quran 5:6)

Question 3

What is Zakat?

Answer: Obligatory charity given to those in need

Source: Quran 2:43

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. Muslims who have wealth above a certain threshold (nisab) must give 2.5% of their savings annually to those in need.

Question 4

What is the name of the call to prayer in Islam?

Answer: The Adhan

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 604

The Adhan is the call to prayer made before each of the five daily prayers. Bilal ibn Rabah (RA) was the first person appointed by the Prophet ﷺ to give the Adhan.

Question 5

What special day of the week is most important for Muslims to pray together?

Answer: Friday (Jumu'ah)

Source: Quran 62:9

Allah says: 'O you who believe! When the call for prayer on Friday is made, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business.' Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah) replaces Dhuhr prayer.

Question 6

How many rakats (units) are in the Fajr (dawn) prayer?

Answer: Two

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 372

Fajr prayer has 2 obligatory rakats, making it the shortest of the five daily prayers. It is also preceded by 2 sunnah rakats, which the Prophet ﷺ never missed.

Ramadan Around the World

One of the beautiful aspects of Ramadan is how it is observed differently across cultures while maintaining the same core practices. In Morocco, families prepare harira soup for iftar. In South Asia, pakoras and samosas are staples. In Turkey, the tradition of the Ramazan davulcusu (Ramadan drummer) waking people for suhoor dates back centuries. In the Gulf states, elaborate iftar tents host community gatherings.

Despite these cultural variations, the essence of Ramadan is universal: fasting, prayer, Quran, charity, and seeking closeness to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1899). No matter where you are in the world, Ramadan is an opportunity for spiritual renewal.

Preparing for Ramadan

The best way to make the most of Ramadan is to prepare before it arrives. Here are some practical suggestions:

  • Start fasting in Sha'ban: The Prophet ﷺ used to fast frequently in the month before Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari 1969).
  • Set Quran goals: Many Muslims aim to complete the entire Quran during Ramadan. Break it down into daily portions (juz) to stay on track.
  • Plan your charity: Ramadan is the most generous time for giving. Calculate your zakat in advance and identify charitable causes.
  • Test your knowledge: Use quizzes like this one and our Quran quiz to identify areas where you can deepen your understanding before the holy month begins.

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Play our Millionaire-style Islamic trivia game to test your Ramadan knowledge and beyond. 15 questions, 4 lifelines, all answers sourced.

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