Ramadan 2026: Dates, Fasting Guide and How to Prepare

Ramadan 2026 — the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar — begins on Wednesday 18 February 2026 and ends on approximately 19 March 2026, with Eid al-Fitr on 20 March; it falls during 1447 AH and is the month in which the Quran was revealed, making fasting in Ramadan an obligation on every able adult Muslim.

• Ramadan 2026 start: Wednesday 18 February 2026 (1 Ramadan 1447 AH). UK crescent may be sighted evening of 17 Feb.
• Ramadan 2026 end: approximately 19 March 2026, followed by Eid al-Fitr on 20 March.
• Fasting (Sawm) is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam — obligatory for every able adult Muslim during Ramadan.
• Laylat al-Qadr — "better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3) — falls in the last ten nights; most likely 16–17 March 2026 (27th night).
• The last ten nights run approximately 10–19 March 2026; I'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is sunnah in this period.
• Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer — due by 20 March 2026 morning.
• Charity in Ramadan carries multiplied reward; water well donations in Ramadan are among the most powerful forms of sadaqah jariyah.

Ramadan 2026 begins on Wednesday 18 February 2026 (1 Ramadan 1447 AH) and ends on approximately Wednesday 19 March 2026, with the crescent moon of Shawwal expected to be sighted on the evening of 19 March — making Eid al-Fitr on Friday 20 March 2026. In the UK, the first crescent of Ramadan may be sighted on the evening of 17 February, meaning tarawih prayers begin that night.

All dates are subject to 1–2 days' variance depending on the confirmed moon sighting in your region. Confirm with your local mosque or local prayer timetable.

Ramadan holds its exalted status in Islam because, as the Quran states: "The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion" (Quran 2:185). The revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Cave of Hira during Ramadan makes it the most sacred of the twelve months — the only month explicitly named in the Quran and the only month with an obligatory act of worship attached to it: fasting.

“When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained. — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Sahih Bukhari 1899”

Beyond the individual fast, Ramadan is the month in which the entire Muslim ummah synchronises in worship — over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide fast together, pray tarawih together, and intensify charity together.

The Islamic fast (Sawm) begins at the time of Fajr (the pre-dawn prayer) and ends at Maghrib (sunset). During fasting hours, Muslims abstain from all food, drink (including water), smoking, sexual relations, and deliberate wrongdoing. The intention (niyyah) to fast must be made each night before Fajr.

Who is exempt from fasting?

Islam is merciful in its exemptions. Those excused include: the seriously ill; travellers; pregnant or nursing women if fasting poses a health risk; the elderly who cannot fast without harm; and menstruating women. Those who miss fasts must either make them up (qada) on later days, or pay Fidya or Kaffarah as expiation.

What is suhoor and iftar?

Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal eaten before Fajr. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Take the suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it" (Sahih Bukhari 1923). Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. It is sunnah to break the fast immediately at Maghrib, traditionally with dates and water as the Prophet ﷺ did.

In the UK at the start of Ramadan 2026, fajr is around 5:30am and iftar around 5:30pm — a fast of approximately 12 hours. By the end of Ramadan the fast lengthens to about 13.5–14 hours, as spring days lengthen toward the equinox on 20 March.

The last ten nights of Ramadan are the most spiritually charged period of the Islamic year, because they contain Laylat al-Qadr. In Ramadan 2026, the last ten nights run from approximately 10–19 March 2026 (the evenings of the 20th through 29th of Ramadan).

The Prophet ﷺ would intensify his worship dramatically in the last ten nights — spending more time in prayer, recitation, dua, and dhikr than at any other time of year. He also observed I'tikaf: a spiritual retreat in the mosque for the full ten days.

Laylat al-Qadr — the Night of Power — is hidden within these ten nights to encourage Muslims to seek it throughout. The Quran describes it as "better than a thousand months" (97:3): a single night of sincere worship outweighs over 83 years of deeds. In Ramadan 2026, the 27th night (16–17 March) is the most commonly observed, though all odd nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th) should be treated as candidates.

Zakat al-Fitr (also called Sadaqat al-Fitr or Fitrana) is an obligatory act of worship tied to the completion of Ramadan. Every Muslim who possesses more than their basic needs must pay it on behalf of themselves and each person in their household before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. In 2026 this means paying before the Eid prayer on 20 March 2026.

Its purpose is dual: it purifies the fasting person's fast from any lapses, and it ensures the poor can celebrate Eid with dignity. The amount is one Sa' (approximately 2.5–3 kg) of the local staple food per person, or its monetary equivalent. HNCO accepts Zakat al-Fitr donations and distributes them before Eid.

Classical Islamic scholars describe Ramadan as the annual "season of harvest" for the soul. Aim to: complete one full recitation of the Quran (one juz daily); pray tarawih nightly; give sadaqah daily; intensify worship in the last ten nights; make extensive dua, especially at iftar and in sujood; and donate sadaqah jariyah such as a water well — ongoing charity whose reward continues after the month and after your lifetime.

Ramadan 2026 is followed by Eid al-Fitr on 20 March 2026 — the festival of breaking the fast. The Prophet ﷺ recommended fasting six days of Shawwal: doing so together with the Ramadan fast earns the reward as if one had fasted the entire year (Sahih Muslim 1164). See the full Islamic Hijri calendar 2026 for all dates throughout the year.

When does Ramadan 2026 start?

Ramadan 2026 starts on Wednesday 18 February 2026 (1 Ramadan 1447 AH). In the UK, the crescent moon may be sighted on the evening of 17 February.

When does Ramadan 2026 end?

Ramadan 2026 ends on approximately 19 March 2026, followed by Eid al-Fitr on 20 March 2026.

How long is Ramadan 2026?

Ramadan 2026 is expected to last 29 days, running from 18 February to 19 March 2026. Islamic months are 29 or 30 days depending on the lunar cycle.

What time does fasting start and end in Ramadan 2026 in the UK?

At the start of Ramadan 2026 in the UK (London), fajr is around 5:30am and iftar (sunset) is around 5:30pm. By the end of Ramadan, fajr will be around 4:30am and iftar around 6:20pm.

When is Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadan 2026?

Laylat al-Qadr is most likely on the 27th night — the evening of 16–17 March 2026. Seek it across all the last ten odd nights.

What is Zakat al-Fitr and when is it due in 2026?

Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer on 20 March 2026. It purifies the fast and ensures the poor can celebrate Eid. Pay Zakat al-Fitr through HNCO.

What are the last ten nights of Ramadan 2026?

The last ten nights of Ramadan 2026 run from approximately 10–19 March 2026. The odd nights — 21st (10 Mar), 23rd (12 Mar), 25th (14 Mar), 27th (16 Mar), 29th (18 Mar) — are the most significant.

Is it obligatory to fast in Ramadan?

Yes. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory for every able adult Muslim. Those unable due to illness, pregnancy, travel, or old age may be excused, subject to rules on making up fasts or paying Fidya/Kaffarah.