What is Ramadan 2026? Fasting rules, meaning and dates

Texas is dwelling to tons of of hundreds of Muslims. According to the World Population Review, there are greater than 300,000 Muslims in Texas.

Muslims in Texas, together with thousands and thousands of others around the globe, have begun observing Ramadan, a month of fasting, spirituality, and reflection. 

The holiday is celebrated on totally different dates every year. Because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, Ramadan begins about 11 days earlier every year on the Gregorian calendar. The precise date is decided by the sighting of the brand new moon. The first day of Ramadan in Mecca this yr was Feb. 18. 

Fasting can final for 29 or 30 days, relying on when the moon, signifying the beginning of the following month, is noticed.

Here is what it’s best to know concerning the Islamic vacation. 

According to Al Jazeera, Ramadan is decided by the Islamic lunar calendar, also called the Hijri calendar, which is primarily based on the phases of the moon. Here’s how Ramadan is decided:

• The Islamic calendar consists of 12 lunar months, with every month lasting between 29 and 30 days, relying on the moon’s sighting.
• The starting of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the brand new moon (hilal). This sighting may be executed both by the bare eye or by means of astronomical calculations.
• The sighting normally includes non secular authorities or committees who announce the beginning of Ramadan primarily based on the moon’s visibility.

Muslims consider that Ramadan is the month when the primary verses of the Quran have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years in the past. During this sacred month, Muslims abstain from consuming, consuming, smoking, and partaking in sexual relations from simply earlier than the dawn prayer, Fajr, till the sundown prayer, Maghrib.

The goal of fasting is to develop a heightened sense of “taqwa,” or consciousness of God.

Fasting is one of many 5 pillars of Islam, alongside the declaration of religion, every day prayers, giving to charity, and, if bodily and financially in a position, endeavor the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Muslims who’ve reached puberty and who’re bodily succesful will quick from dawn to sundown. Fasting not solely means abstaining from meals and drink, but additionally from sexual relations and in poor health habits. Those who’re sick or touring are exempt from fasting.

“The idea is to cultivate awareness of God. Taqwa in Arabic,” Imam Ebad Rahman, Religious Life Associate for Muslim Life at Columbia University advised USA TODAY.

During Ramadan, Muslims are inspired to study extra concerning the teachings of the Quran, with some even difficult themselves to finish studying the non secular textual content in its entirety.

The final ten nights of Ramadan are thought of to be particularly sacred, with the holiest evening, Laylat Al-Qadr, falling on a type of nights.

It’s not identified precisely when Laylat al-Qadr, referred to as the “Night of Power,” will happen, however many consider it probably falls on any of the odd nights within the final ten nights of Ramadan. Good deeds are believed to be considerably multiplied on that evening, and Muslims could spend the evening in reflection, prayer and different acts of worship.

According to Muslimaid.org, the holy vacation will finish on March 30. 

Eid al-Fitr, a spiritual vacation, marks the tip of Ramadan. Muslims honor the big day by listening to a particular prayer and sermon the morning of Eid. As a part of the custom, dad and mom, family or pals give younger kids numerous presents comparable to new garments or cash. It is anticipated to happen on or earlier than April 9.