Throughout history, the first day of Ramadan has coincided with numerous significant events, both joyful and sorrowful for Muslims. These include the revelation of the scriptures to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), the conquest of Egypt, Algeria’s independence, and unfortunate incidents such as the Muslim defeat in the Battle of Tours (Battle of Balat ash-Shuhada) and the burning of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
As the blessed month of Ramadan 2025 begins, let us delve into the key historical events that occurred on this remarkable day in the Islamic calendar:
The Revelation of Prophet Ibrahim’s Scriptures
According to Islamic tradition, the scriptures of Prophet Ibrahim, mentioned in several Quranic verses, were revealed on the first night of Ramadan.
The Conquest of Egypt – 640 CE
During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), after the Muslims had conquered Greater Syria and taken Palestine from the Byzantines, their focus turned toward Egypt.
Amr ibn al-As suggested to Caliph Umar that Egypt should be conquered to secure the Muslim armies’ rear from Byzantine forces stationed there. With persistent urging, Umar approved the mission, sending an army of 4,000 soldiers under Amr’s command. The army advanced through Palestine to al-Arish, then to the port city of Pelusium (al-Farma), where fierce battles with the Byzantines ensued. After achieving victory, the Muslim forces marched to Bilbeis and then to the fortified city of Babylon.
Babylon Fortress was a stronghold of the Byzantines, and Amr requested reinforcements to breach it. With additional troops sent by Umar, the Muslims launched the Battle of Ain Shams, securing a decisive victory despite being outnumbered by the Byzantines.
A pivotal moment in the conquest was when the companion Zubair ibn al-Awwam climbed the fortress wall with a group of Muslims, shouting “Allahu Akbar” from the top. The Byzantines, believing the Muslims had breached the fortress, fled, leaving the gates open for the Muslims to take control.
Afterward, Amr ibn al-As marched on Alexandria, bringing an end to Byzantine rule in Egypt and securing the country under the caliphate.
The Muslim Defeat in the Battle of Tours – 732 CE
One of the major events associated with the first day of Ramadan is the Battle of Tours (Balat ash-Shuhada). This pivotal clash occurred between Muslim forces led by Abdul Rahman al-Ghafiqi and the Frankish armies under Charles Martel.
The battle is named after an abandoned palace near the battlefield and saw significant casualties on the Muslim side.
Abdul Rahman al-Ghafiqi was the governor of al-Andalus during the Umayyad Caliphate. Muslim armies had pushed deep into Frankish territory (modern-day France) when the opposing forces met. Many historians describe this battle as a turning point that halted the Islamic expansion into Europe.
The Frankish forces succeeded in luring the Muslims into a strategically unfavorable position. This, coupled with the timing and terrain advantage, led to the death of Abdul Rahman al-Ghafiqi and the withdrawal of the remaining Muslim forces.
The Burning of the Prophet’s Mosque – 1256 CE
On the first day of Ramadan in 654 AH, a devastating fire broke out in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, causing the roof to collapse entirely. The blaze destroyed many relics dating back to the Prophet’s era, including the pulpit, doors, ornaments, and storage areas designed by the early caliphs of Islam.
The fire also consumed the library of the mosque, the covering of the Prophet’s Chamber, and parts of its roof. Historians attribute the cause of the fire to negligence, as a mosque servant forgot to remove lit oil lamps from one of the mosque’s minarets.
This tragic event coincided with the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate, marked by the Mongol invasions of the caliphate’s territories.
Algeria’s Declaration of Independence – 1962
The Algerian War of Independence, which began in 1954, lasted for over seven years and involved armed resistance and political efforts to liberate Algeria from French colonial rule. The revolution claimed the lives of nearly one million Algerians.
On the first day of Ramadan in 1381 AH, French General Charles de Gaulle officially declared Algeria’s independence, ending over 130 years of colonization.
The Liberation of Al-Faw – 1988
The Liberation of Al-Faw was a significant military operation carried out by the Iraqi army during the Iran-Iraq War to reclaim the Al-Faw Peninsula from Iranian forces.
The operation, conducted in three phases, succeeded in liberating the peninsula within approximately 35 hours, inflicting heavy losses on the Iranian forces in terms of casualties and captured soldiers, as well as seizing military equipment.
Named “Blessed Ramadan,” the operation began on the first day of Ramadan in 1408 AH and remains a celebrated victory in Iraqi history.
