Ramadan is the holiest and most spiritually significant time of the Islamic year. It’s a month that Muslims all over the world look forward to, as they gain the opportunity to cleanse themselves and devote themselves to their faith. This is a time during the year for Muslims to spend a lot of time in worship to strengthen their connection to Allah (SWT), earn rewards from Him and start afresh with their faith, giving them the motivation to stay devoted to Islam for the rest of the year. The holy month focuses on the act of fasting and is when most Muslims fast during the year. This is done to purify themselves, build resilience and gain empathy for the poor, as well as gratitude for the blessings they’ve been given in life. Fasting is a highly rewarded act of worship because it makes up one of the five pillars (Sawm) and is what earns believers rewards, alongside other acts of worship. Believers spend more time praying, giving charity, reading the Quran and other forms of worship to connect closer to their faith, with a further increase of devotion toward the end of the month to seek Laylat al-Qadr.
With the holy month, it can be confusing for many to understand when does Ramadan start and end. This is due to the month starting at different times in the Gregorian calendar, since the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, not the solar cycle. Being based on the lunar cycle means that the start date of every month, including Ramadan, occurs earlier each year, as there are fewer days in a lunar year than in a solar year.
The holy month of Ramadan is observed for numerous spiritually significant reasons. A huge reason why the month is important and observed by every Muslim is that it’s a religious obligation to partake in the holy month. This is due to the month focusing on the act of fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam known as Sawm. It’s a high form of worship and is required for all adult Muslims who are able to fast, except those who are ill, pregnant, menstruating or travelling. Believers earn immense rewards from partaking in the fast and observing the month correctly when they refrain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.
As well as the month being a religious obligation, Ramadan provides Muslims with an opportunity to grow spiritually. The holy month encourages believers to spend time in spiritual reflection, self-discipline and increased devotion, which helps them connect closer to their faith and purify themselves for a fresh start. Another huge reason why the month is observed is that it’s the month that’s believed to be when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is thought to have happened during the last 10 days and is known as Laylat al-Qadr, which holds multiplied rewards for spiritual devotion.
Laylat al-Qadr, also known as the Night of Power, is an even more spiritually significant time in Ramadan. It falls during the last 10 days of the month and is when vital Islamic history occurred. During these final days, there’s a final push where Muslims spend even more time worshipping to gain immense rewards. This is because the end of the month is believed to be when the Angel Jibril came to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to reveal the first verses of the Quran. These first few verses began Islam as we know it today and helped to create the first ummah under the word of Allah (SWT). Because of this event, the last 10 days of Ramadan are very important and has even more multiplied rewards for believers.
The Night of Power is believed to provide Muslims with rewards that are greater than a thousand months, and it occurs on one of the odd-numbered nights. However, the night should be looked for during the last 10 days to ensure that believers earn the rewards. This is why Muslims further increase their acts of worship to seek Laylat al-Qadr and gain the powerful rewards for their devotion.
You may be wondering when Ramadan ends and starts due to the different months it occurs in the Gregorian calendar. The holy month can be in all seasons over the years since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, not the solar cycle like the Gregorian calendar. This means that the holy month, and every month in the Islamic calendar, starts earlier each year, due to a lunar year having fewer days in it. So, Ramadan will start around 10 days earlier than the previous year and will also end 10 days earlier. Moving 10 days earlier every year is what slowly makes the holy month occur in every season over the years.
To work out when Ramadan will start and end, you can calculate around 10 days earlier than the previous year to give a rough estimate. However, the beginning of Ramadan, as with any Islamic month, depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. Due to this, it’s ideal to always check closer to the time for a more accurate start and end date for the holy month.
So, when does Ramadan start in 2026? Since the holy month’s start date is dependent on the moon sighting, the start date for Ramadan in 2026 is only an expected time. This is based on calculating roughly 10 days earlier than 2025. The expected start date for Ramadan 2026 is the night of the 17th February, with the first full day of fasting expected to be 18th February. To know the exact start date of the holy month, check back closer to the time or check with your local mosque, so you can be prepared for the month to reap the significant rewards.
As for when does Ramadan end in 2026, this is similar to the start date because it’s only an estimate, as it depends on the moon sightings. The holy month lasts for around just over 4 weeks which Muslims will refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours and dedicate their time to worship. This means that if Ramadan is expected to start on the evening of the 17th February, the expected end date will be when the new month starts, which should be around 20th March. The end date marks the beginning of the month of Shawwal and starts the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. These festivities mark the end of the devotion to Allah (SWT) and act as a reward for Muslims for their effort and dedication.
Fasting for Ramadan 2026 begins on the first full day of the month, once the sun rises all the way until the sun sets. This is expected to be on 18th February if the month begins on the evening of 17th February. Again, this depends on the sighting of the moon, so to know when you need to fast, it’s best to check closer to the time.
The first full day of Ramadan is when the duty of fasting will start, and all able Muslims will abstain from food, drink and prohibited actions during daylight hours. Before the sun rises, believers will fuel themselves for the day ahead with the Suhoor meal and then break the fast once the sun sets with the Iftar meal. Suhoor and Iftar are usually shared meals with loved ones, especially Iftar, and are a chance to spend quality time together. Many communities also break the fast together once the sun has set to strengthen the ummah and ensure everyone has a delicious meal to nourish their bodies. The Suhoor and Iftar meal times change slightly every day of the month, due to the varying times the sun rises and sets. For 2026, the fasting hours will grow slightly longer before the month ends as the days slowly become a little longer in time for Spring.
Many wonder, “When does Ramadan fasting end?”, due to the holy month finishing at different times every year. For 2026, the expected end date is the 20th March, which begins the new month and the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr. This is dependent on the moon sightings and is subject to change closer to the time. If the end date occurs at this time in 2026, it will mean that the last full day of Ramadan and fasting will be on the 19th March. This is because once the festivities of Eid al-Fitr begin, Muslims aren’t allowed to fast during this time. Fasting is prohibited as the celebrations are a time for joy, loved ones, community and feasting to reward those who fasted and to bring everyone together. This is why the compulsory donation of Zakat al-Fitr needs to be given before Eid starts to help those in need join in the celebrations with a heartwarming meal, strengthening the ummah and ensuring that everyone feels the joy of Eid.
Imam Sadiq (a.s) stated: “One should not fast on Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha because the Messenger of God (PBUH) said: ‘These are days for eating, drinking, and rejoicing.’”
Throughout Ramadan 2026, it’s important to carry out all forms of worship, including acts of charity and good deeds. Charity is a highly valued form of worship and is a duty to fulfil to be devoted to the faith. As well as this, the holy month is the most rewarding time to make charitable acts, especially during the last 10 days when Laylat al-Qadr occurs.
Giving Zakat and Sadaqah, as well a Zakat al-Fitr, during Ramadan is the best way to seek the Night of Power and earn multiplied rewards. At UKIM, we take your charitable acts during the holy month and support those in desperate need who are facing unimaginable hardship and are in the middle of an ongoing crisis. Our team help the people of Gaza and other crisis-affected areas around the world. Your charity in Ramadan can help us provide life-saving aid and make a meaningful difference to many lives that are dealing with escalating violence. We give these people medical support, vital food and clothing and fuel for hospitals to help save lives. Donate during Ramadan to relieve the suffering of many, help them survive and bring hope for a better future.
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