In Saudi Arabia, the crescent moon was spotted Wednesday night, signalling the start of the sacred month of Ramadan for many of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims.

During this month, Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset, engaging in acts of spiritual reflection, prayers, family gatherings, and charitable deeds. The sighting of the moon indicates that Wednesday, February 18, marks the first day of fasting. 

“It is the month of Ramaḍan when the Qur’an was sent down. [The Qur’an] is a guidance for people, clear proof of guidance and a criterion [for mankind and jinn], and whoever remains present in the month of Ramadan, he should fast, and whoever is sick or on a journey, [he should fast] the same number on other days. God desires easiness not hardship for you and in order that you may complete the number of days [of fasting in Ramaḍan], and mention the greatness of God for he guided you, and that you may give thanks.”

 - [Quran, Surah Baqarah 185]

Key Dates Ramadan 1447 (2026)

1^st of Ramadan begins on February 18, 2026
Best 10 Nights begin at sunset on March 9, 2026
Laylat al-Qadr is believed to fall on the 27th of Ramadan, March 16, 2026
Eid al-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on March 19 or March 20, 2026

Ramadan 2026 Timetable: Use this link to find prayer, Suhoor and Iftar times for all major cities across Canada for Ramadan 2026.

Important Duas for Ramadan 

During this blessed month, we are offered many opportunities for sincere du'as to be accepted. This includes:

• Prayers to be recited when beginning your fast
• Prayers to be recited when breaking your fast
• Prayers to be recited on Laylatul Qadr
  
  

Dua Upon Sighting the New Moon

اللهُ أَكْـبَرُ، اللّهُمَّ أَهِلَّـهُ عَلَيْـنا بِالأمْـنِ وَالإيمَـانِ، والسَّلامَـةِ والإسْلَامِ، وَالتَّـوْفيـقِ لِما تُحِـبُّ رَبُّنَـا وَتَـرْضَـى، رَبُّنَـا وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ

"Allaahu 'Akbar, Allaahumma ‘ahillahu 'alayna bil'amni wal'eemaani, wassalaamati wal-'Islaami, wattawfeeqee limaa tuhibbu Rabbanaa wa tardhaa, Rabbunaa wa Rabbukallaahu"

"Allah is the Most Great. O Allah, bring us the new moon with security and Faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah."

 

Dua for the Start of a Fast (Suhoor)

وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

"Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan"

 "I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan."

Dua for Breaking Fast (Iftar)

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَليْكَ تَوَكّلتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ

"Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa ala rizqi-ka-aftartu"

"O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance."

Dua for Facing Conflict Whilst Fasting

 إِنِّيْ صَائِمٌ , إِنِّيْ صَائِمٌ

"Inni saa'imun, inni saa'imun"

"I am fasting, I am fasting"

Dua for Seeking Blessings

رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

(Qur’an 28:24)

"Rabbi innee lima anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqeer"

"My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!"

Dua for Seeking Forgiveness

اللّهُـمَّ إِنَّـي أَسْـأَلُـكَ بِرَحْمَـتِكَ الّتِي وَسِـعَتْ كُلَّ شيْء، أَنْ تَغْـفِرَ لي

"Allaahumma inni as’aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi'at kulla shay’in an taghfira li"

"O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me."

Dua On Laylatul Qadr (27th Night)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

"Allahumma innaka 'Afuwwun Tuhibbul 'Afwa Fa'fu 'Annii."

"O Allah, you are the Most Forgiving, You love to forgive, so forgive me"

 

Du'a is an incredibly powerful tool of communication with Allah (swt). Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:

"When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on me." 

 - [Quran, Surah Baqarah 186]

May Allah (swt) accept all our fasts, sadaqah and du'as during this holy month. Ramadan Kareem from everyone at Muslim Hands Canada!

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