When Does Ramadan Start?
Expected Ramadan date, countdown context, virtues of the month, and core guidance
Expected Ramadan start date
February 8, 2027
1 Ramadan 1448 AH · 109 days remaining
Based on Umm al-Qura. Follow the official local announcement to confirm the date.
Unadjusted Ramadan calendarIslamic Events
Expected dates; follow local announcements. Nights begin at the preceding sunset.
Isra and Mi'raj (traditional date)
January 5, 2027
Start of Ramadan
February 8, 2027
27 Ramadan (possible Laylat al-Qadr)
March 6, 2027
Eid al-Fitr
March 9, 2027
Virtues of Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar and the holiest month for Muslims. It is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for humanity. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
During this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset, increasing in worship, Quran recitation, charity, and supplication.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Agreed upon).
Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)
Laylat al-Qadr is the greatest night of the year. Allah says: "The Night of Power is better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3). It falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and should be sought on the odd nights; the 27th is one possibility, not a confirmed date.
It is recommended to increase in supplication and worship during this night. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever stands in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."
Key rulings
Fasting time: From true dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib).
Tarawih prayer: A confirmed Sunnah prayed in congregation after Isha.
Zakat al-Fitr: Obligatory for every Muslim before the Eid prayer.
I'tikaf: A Sunnah practice in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Why can Ramadan start on different days in different countries?
Some countries follow an official calculated calendar, while others wait for a local moon-sighting announcement or a religious judicial decision. That is why one country may begin Ramadan a day before another.
This page therefore pairs the expected date with explanation, countdown context, and links to the wider Hijri calendar so the timing is easier to verify and use in practice.
Related Ramadan resources
You may also want the Eid al-Fitr guide to track the end of the month, or the Ramadan calendar for a day-by-day Hijri-to-Gregorian map.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Ramadan start?
The expected Ramadan start date shown here follows the Umm al-Qura calendar, but the final public announcement may differ depending on the religious authority in each country.
Why can the first day of Ramadan differ between countries?
Some countries follow an official astronomical calendar, while others rely on local crescent sighting decisions or judicial religious announcements.
What are the main practices of Ramadan?
The central practices are fasting, prayer, Quran recitation, charity, supplication, night prayer, and increased worship during the last ten nights.
Is Ramadan always 30 days long?
No. Ramadan can be 29 or 30 days depending on the calendar model and the official confirmation of the month’s beginning and end.
Sources and reading notes
This is a general reference, not a personal ruling. Some legal details and historical dates differ across schools and sources; consult a trusted local scholar for your circumstances. A religious night begins at sunset before its daytime date.