The holy month of Ramadan in 2026: prayers and prohibitions for Muslims
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is celebrated by Muslims around the world. During this period, believers observe daytime fasting, abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk. The month ends with one of the main Islamic holidays — Eid al-Adha, Thanksgiving day. Read more about the traditions of Ramadan, the rules of fasting and prohibitions in the material of Izvestia.
When does Ramadan begin in 2026
Ramadan is considered the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and its onset is traditionally associated with the appearance of the new moon. The exact date of the beginning of the fast is not fixed and changes annually. This is due to the peculiarities of the lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. As a result, the holy month for Muslims begins earlier each year than in the previous year.
In 2026, the date of the beginning of Ramadan falls on February 18 (Wednesday), however, in different countries the beginning may shift by a day depending on the actual appearance of the new month according to lunar observations.
The holy month in 2026 will last until mid-March, and the end of the fast and the holiday of Eid al-Fitr also depend on the decision of the spiritual administrations of Muslims in a particular region. Believers are advised to follow the announcements of local muhtasibats and spiritual administrations in order to correctly determine the beginning of the fast and the schedule of collective prayers.
Which prayers are especially important during Ramadan
For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of intense spiritual service, during which special attention is paid to obligatory daily prayers, reading the Koran and additional prayers — dua. Theologians note that the basis of religious practice this month remains the timely performance of five obligatory prayers, to which are added voluntary prayers, dhikr — remembrance of Allah — and the reading of the Holy Scriptures.
The main types of worship in Ramadan include obligatory prayers — Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghreb and Isha, regular reading of the Quran, the night prayer tarawih after Isha prayer, as well as frequent appeals to the Almighty with supplications for forgiveness, mercy and acceptance of fasting. Believers are advised to set up a daily routine in such a way as to find time to read the Holy Quran, additional rakats of night prayer and sincere dua.
At the same time, theologians emphasize that not only established prayer texts are important, but also personal appeals to Allah in their native language, reflecting the inner feelings and requests of a person.
Dua, recited after speaking (iftarah)
"O Allah, I have fasted for You, believed in You, relied on You, and talked about Your food. O Forgiving One, forgive me the sins that I have committed or will commit."
Prayer after Suhur
"I set out to fast the month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk sincerely for the sake of Allah."
What Muslims should not do during Ramadan
The prohibitions of Ramadan are connected not only with the refusal of food and drink during the day, but also with the observance of moral norms, without which fasting loses its spiritual meaning. During daylight hours, it is forbidden for a Muslim to intentionally eat, drink, smoke, or have sexual intercourse with his spouse. Such actions are considered a violation of fasting and require atonement (kaffar) according to Sharia law.
Among the main prohibitions during the Eid period are:
deliberate intake of food and drinks during the daytime for no good reason;
conscious smoking and the use of any substances that violate fasting;
intimate intimacy between spouses during the daytime hours of Ramadan;
rudeness, insults, gossip, lies, slander and other sinful behavior;
conscious neglect of obligatory prayers and laziness in worship.
Separately, Islamic preachers draw attention to the fact that Ramadan is not a time of nocturnal entertainment and empty conversations, but a period when a Muslim should strive for self—discipline, control over emotions and language, so that fasting includes renunciation of sins, not just food.
How to spend Ramadan correctly and profitably
Experts in the Islamic tradition point out that Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal, so believers are advised to plan their daily routine in advance, combining fasting with work, family affairs and worship. Many spiritual administrations publish schedules of suhur, iftar, and prayer for specific regions before the start of the month to facilitate the observance of rituals.
To effectively observe Ramadan, Muslims are advised to get up for Suhoor before dawn, do not skip all five daily prayers and try to perform them on time, visit the mosque as often as possible for collective prayers and tarawih, regularly read the Koran with understanding of the text, as well as pay attention to charity, support those in need and reconciliation with others.
Imams and theologians emphasize that even those who are temporarily exempt from fasting for Sharia reasons should show respect for the holy month, avoid conspicuous eating during the daytime and increase prayers and good deeds as much as possible. This approach allows you to experience the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan, even if strict fasting is impossible due to health conditions or other valid reasons.
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