Faith · Seasonal · Ramadan 2026
Ramadan 2026 in the UK: dates, fasting hours, and prayer times.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday 17 February 2026, subject to moon-sighting confirmation from Wifaqul Ulama UK and HMCC UK. This page collects the confirmed start date, UK city fasting hours, prayer times, and the jurisprudence explainers linked from every seasonal reference.
A note on tradition: this seasonal page cross-references Sunni and Shia moon-sighting bodies (Wifaqul Ulama UK, HMCC UK, and the Islamic Society of North America). Where UK bodies differ we summarise both positions.
The confirmed start date
The 1447 AH Ramadan start date will be confirmed on the evening of Monday 16 February 2026 by Wifaqul Ulama UK and HMCC UK. This page updates the moment either body publishes its confirmation. Historic Wifaqul Ulama announcements are archived at wifaqululama.co.uk; HMCC UK announcements are at hmccuk.com.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
“The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind.”
Quran 2:185 · Surah al-Baqarah · translation: Sahih International
Fasting hours by UK city
Fasting hours in February and March 2026 will run from roughly Fajr (around 5:15 am in London on day one) to Maghrib (around 5:35 pm), with hours lengthening across the month. The city timetable covers London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Bradford, Sheffield, Newcastle, Bristol, Nottingham, Leicester, and Liverpool. See UK prayer times for daily figures.
What breaks the fast
The core Sunni and Shia positions agree on the essentials: deliberate eating, drinking, or intercourse breaks the fast; forgetful eating does not. The four Sunni madhhabs differ on details of medical fluids and inhaled substances. Consult your local mosque for personal cases.
“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins are forgiven.”
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book of Belief (Book 2) · Hadith 38 · narrated by Abu Hurayra
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