Question 1

What is Ramadan?

Accepted Answer

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is regarded by Muslims as the holiest period of the year. It is marked by fasting (sawm), increased prayer, Quran recitation, charity, and spiritual reflection. Muslims worldwide abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) every day of the month, making it a time of deep spiritual renewal and community.

Question 2

What are the fasting rules during Ramadan?

Accepted Answer

Adult Muslims who are physically able are required to fast from dawn (Imsak/Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib/Iftar) each day. During fasting hours, eating, drinking (including water), and smoking are not permitted. Muslims are also encouraged to avoid negative speech, arguments, and immoral behaviour. The fast is broken each evening at Iftar, traditionally beginning with dates and water.

Question 3

Who is exempt from fasting in Ramadan?

Accepted Answer

Islamic law provides exemptions for those who cannot safely fast: the elderly, the seriously ill, pregnant or nursing women, travellers on long journeys, and children who have not reached puberty. Those who miss fasting days due to valid reasons are generally expected to make up (qada) the missed days after Ramadan ends. Those with a permanent inability may pay fidya instead.

Question 4

How long are the daily fasting hours in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

In Saudi Arabia, daily fasting hours during Ramadan 2026 range from approximately 13 to 14 hours. Fasting begins at Imsak (around 4:55–5:15 AM AST) and ends at Maghrib/Iftar (around 6:05–6:25 PM AST). The fasting window shifts by 1–2 minutes each day as sunset gradually moves later through the month.

Question 5

What is Tarawih prayer?

Accepted Answer

Tarawih are special nightly prayers performed after Isha during Ramadan. They are held in mosques where long passages of the Quran are recited, with the aim of completing the full Quran recitation by the end of the month. In Saudi Arabia, the Tarawih prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca (Masjid al-Haram) and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina (Masjid an-Nabawi) are broadcast worldwide and draw millions of worshippers.

Question 6

What is Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)?

Accepted Answer

Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) is considered the holiest night of the year in Islam. It falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, most commonly believed to be the 27th night. The Quran describes it as 'better than a thousand months' (97:3). Millions of Muslims perform I'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in mosques across Saudi Arabia, particularly in Mecca and Medina, during the last ten nights seeking this blessed night.

Question 7

How does Ramadan end?

Accepted Answer

Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, declared after the Ramadan crescent moon sighting is confirmed by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia. Before Eid prayer, every Muslim must give Zakat al-Fitr. In Saudi Arabia, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday of 3 days, marked by Eid prayers at mosques and open spaces, family gatherings, and special meals.

Question 8

What time is Iftar in Riyadh today?

Accepted Answer

Iftar in Riyadh is at Maghrib (sunset) time. During Ramadan 2026, Riyadh Iftar times are approximately 6:05–6:25 PM AST (UTC+3), shifting about 1–2 minutes later each day through the month.

Question 9

What time does Suhoor end in Riyadh?

Accepted Answer

Suhoor ends at Imsak time in Riyadh, which is 10 minutes before Fajr according to the Umm al-Qura method. During Ramadan 2026, Imsak in Riyadh is approximately 4:55–5:15 AM AST.

Question 10

When does Ramadan start in Saudi Arabia in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Ramadan 1447H in Saudi Arabia began on Friday, February 28, 2026, following official moon sighting. The Kingdom uses the Umm al-Qura calendar, and the official start is declared by the Supreme Court after Sha'ban 29th moon sighting.

Question 11

What is the Zakat al-Fitr amount in Saudi Arabia 2026?

Accepted Answer

The Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia announces the Zakat al-Fitr amount each year. It is typically 2.5 kg of staple food (rice, wheat, dates, or barley) per person or its cash equivalent, usually around SAR 15–25.

Day	Date	Hijri	Fajr	Dhuhr	Asr	Iftar	Isha
1	Mon, Feb 8	1 Ramaḍān	5:38 AM	12:35 PM	3:49 PM	6:15 PM	7:45 PM
2	Tue, Feb 9	2 Ramaḍān	5:37 AM	12:35 PM	3:50 PM	6:15 PM	7:45 PM
3	Wed, Feb 10	3 Ramaḍān	5:37 AM	12:35 PM	3:50 PM	6:16 PM	7:46 PM
4	Thu, Feb 11	4 Ramaḍān	5:36 AM	12:35 PM	3:50 PM	6:16 PM	7:46 PM
5	Fri, Feb 12	5 Ramaḍān	5:36 AM	12:35 PM	3:51 PM	6:17 PM	7:47 PM
6	Sat, Feb 13	6 Ramaḍān	5:35 AM	12:35 PM	3:51 PM	6:17 PM	7:47 PM
7	Sun, Feb 14	7 Ramaḍān	5:35 AM	12:35 PM	3:51 PM	6:18 PM	7:48 PM
8	Mon, Feb 15	8 Ramaḍān	5:34 AM	12:35 PM	3:51 PM	6:18 PM	7:48 PM
9	Tue, Feb 16	9 Ramaḍān	5:34 AM	12:35 PM	3:52 PM	6:19 PM	7:49 PM
10	Wed, Feb 17	10 Ramaḍān	5:33 AM	12:35 PM	3:52 PM	6:19 PM	7:49 PM
11	Thu, Feb 18	11 Ramaḍān	5:33 AM	12:35 PM	3:52 PM	6:20 PM	7:50 PM
12	Fri, Feb 19	12 Ramaḍān	5:32 AM	12:35 PM	3:52 PM	6:20 PM	7:50 PM
13	Sat, Feb 20	13 Ramaḍān	5:32 AM	12:34 PM	3:53 PM	6:21 PM	7:51 PM
14	Sun, Feb 21	14 Ramaḍān	5:31 AM	12:34 PM	3:53 PM	6:21 PM	7:51 PM
15	Mon, Feb 22	15 Ramaḍān	5:30 AM	12:34 PM	3:53 PM	6:22 PM	7:52 PM
16	Tue, Feb 23	16 Ramaḍān	5:30 AM	12:34 PM	3:53 PM	6:22 PM	7:52 PM
17	Wed, Feb 24	17 Ramaḍān	5:29 AM	12:34 PM	3:53 PM	6:23 PM	7:53 PM
18	Thu, Feb 25	18 Ramaḍān	5:28 AM	12:34 PM	3:53 PM	6:23 PM	7:53 PM
19	Fri, Feb 26	19 Ramaḍān	5:28 AM	12:34 PM	3:54 PM	6:24 PM	7:54 PM
20	Sat, Feb 27	20 Ramaḍān	5:27 AM	12:33 PM	3:54 PM	6:24 PM	7:54 PM
21	Sun, Feb 28	21 Ramaḍān	5:26 AM	12:33 PM	3:54 PM	6:24 PM	7:54 PM

Ramadan Prayer Times — Mecca 2027

Ramadan Times in Other Saudi Arabia Cities

Riyadh Ramadan Prayer Times 2026 — Suhoor & Iftar Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions