What time do I start and stop fasting in Ramadan?
It depends on where you live, but it's always from dawn to sunset. The fast begins at the time of Fajr (the dawn prayer), when the first light appears, which is usually 1 to 2 hours before sunrise. It ends at sunset, the time of Maghrib prayer. The exact times change every day and depend on where you live, so use a local timetable.
When the fast starts
The Quran sets the limits of the fasting day clearly:
The "white thread" is true dawn, the faint light spreading along the horizon. In practice, you stop eating and drinking when the Fajr time begins on your timetable. A common mistake for new Muslims is waiting until sunrise, which is too late.
Many timetables also show "Imsak," about 10 minutes before Fajr. It's a safety margin, not the real start, so eating a little after Imsak is fine as long as you stop by Fajr. The Companions ate suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) close to dawn: the gap between their meal and the call to prayer was "sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Qur'an" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1921).
When the fast ends
The Prophet ﷺ said: "When night falls from this side and the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets, then the fasting person should break his fast" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1954). That moment is the start of Maghrib time. Break your fast promptly with iftar (the evening meal), then pray Maghrib.
Finding your exact times
- Your local mosque: most print or post a Ramadan timetable. Following it keeps you in step with your community.
- Prayer apps: set your exact location, as times shift by a few minutes between towns.
- Calculation methods: apps use different angles for dawn, so Fajr can differ by 20 minutes or more. If unsure, choose the method your mosque uses.
- Very long summer days: in far-north places, scholars differ on whether to follow local times or a nearby moderate timetable. In February 2027, days are short, so this won't apply.
What if I get the time wrong?
If you eat or drink because you forgot you're fasting, just carry on. The Prophet ﷺ said such a person "should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933). If you ate after dawn because you misread the time, most scholars say you should make up that day later. Don't panic; it's a common learning moment. See Do I have to fast Ramadan in my first year as a Muslim?
Waking up for Fajr also changes your sleep rhythm, so plan your nights. See Can I still sleep in on weekends as a Muslim?
- Fasting starts at dawn (Fajr), not sunrise.
- It ends at sunset (Maghrib).
- Use your local mosque timetable or a prayer app.
- Eating by mistake doesn't break your fast.
People also ask
What are the benefits of fasting in Islam?
The benefits of fasting in Islam: it builds taqwa, trains self-control, wipes past sins and earns a special reward from Allah Himself.
Read the full answer →Can I wear deodorant while fasting?
Yes, you can wear deodorant while fasting. It stays on the skin and doesn't break your fast. Just avoid inhaling spray mist on purpose.
Read the full answer →Can Muslims listen to music during Ramadan?
It depends. Music doesn't break your fast, but scholars differ on it and many Muslims pause music in Ramadan to focus on the Quran.
Read the full answer →When does Ramadan start in 2027?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to start on Monday, 8 February, depending on the moon. Here's how the date is set and when Eid al-Fitr falls.
Read the full answer →Do I have to fast Ramadan in my first year as a Muslim?
Yes, if you're a healthy adult. Normal exemptions apply, and if you convert mid-Ramadan you fast the remaining days only.
Read the full answer →