Ronaldo shakes Twitter with a farewell message to Muslims as they start Ramadan

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s greatest players of all time, has sent a goodwill message to Muslims around the globe.

Tipped as the unofficial ambassador of Saudi Arabia, the former Manchester United winger wrote, "Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims."

As is normal for him, the most-followed sports personality on social media has garnered over 18 million views in less than 24 hours.

The tweet has also been liked by over 600,000 handles with 90,000 retweets, as well as over 8, 000 quote tweets.

Over 21 thousand comments have been shared via tweets, with most of them lauding the multiple FIFA Best Player of the Year awardee for taking time to wish Muslims.

Ramadan, which begins today, March 23, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims all over the world as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community.

The annual observance of Ramadan, which commemorates Muhammad's first revelation, is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts for twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

All adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating are required to fast from dawn to sunset.

Suhur refers to the predawn meal, and iftar refers to the nightly feast that breaks the fast.

Although fatwas have been issued declaring that Muslims living in areas with a midnight sun or polar night should adhere to Mecca's timetable, it is common practise to adhere to the timetable of the nearest country where night can be distinguished from day.

During Ramadan, the spiritual rewards (thawab) of fasting are said to be multiplied.

As a result, Muslims fast not only from food and drink, but also from tobacco products, sexual relations, and sinful behaviour, instead devoting themselves to salat (prayer) and the study of the Quran.