Ramadan 2026 Will Have Shorter Fasting Hours — Here’s the Simple Reason

The holy month is moving earlier on the calendar, making days shorter

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Ramadan 2026 Will Have Shorter Fasting Hours — Here’s the Simple Reason

Ramadan 2026 is still a little over a month away, but here’s some good news already: fasting hours will be shorter than last year.

If you felt the long days in 2025, 2026 is about to feel a bit more manageable — and there’s a very straightforward reason behind it.

Ramadan Keeps Moving Earlier

Ramadan follows the Hijri (lunar) calendar, not the regular Gregorian one. Unlike the calendar we use daily, the lunar calendar is about 10 to 12 days shorter.

Because of that, Ramadan shifts earlier every year. Over time, it slowly moves through different seasons instead of staying on the same dates.

Shorter Days, Shorter Fasts

As Ramadan continues to fall earlier in the year, it lands in months with fewer daylight hours. And since fasting lasts from dawn to sunset, shorter days mean shorter fasting hours.

For 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin around Thursday, February 19 or Friday, February 20, based on current moon-sighting predictions. That timing puts it earlier than last year — and before days start getting noticeably longer.

Exact Timings Still Vary Daily

While fasting hours will be shorter overall, exact suhoor and iftar timings will still change slightly each day. Official times are confirmed daily throughout the month, so it’s always best to check local schedules.

Still, one thing’s clear: Ramadan 2026 will bring slightly lighter fasting days compared to 2025 — something many will be quietly thankful for.

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Ramadan 2026 Will Have Shorter Fasting Hours — Here’s the Simple Reason

Ramadan Keeps Moving Earlier

Shorter Days, Shorter Fasts

Exact Timings Still Vary Daily

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