First Day of Ramadan 2027
The expected first fast
The first day of Ramadan 1448 is projected to fall on Monday 8 February 2027. Its night — the first night of Taraweeh — begins after Maghrib on Sunday 7 February, because in the Islamic calendar the night precedes the day.
The night before
On the evening of 29 Sha‘ban, moon-sighting committees look for the crescent. If it is seen, Ramadan begins that night and the first fast is the next morning. If it is not, Sha‘ban completes thirty days and Ramadan starts a day later. Many mosques announce the outcome the same evening.
Before dawn on the first day
- Intention. The intention to fast is formed before Fajr. It is an act of the heart and needs no spoken formula (Sunan Abi Dawud 2454).
- Suhoor. Eaten late, close to Fajr. “Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1923).
- Fajr. The fast begins with the entry of Fajr, not with sunrise.
Getting through the first day
The first two or three days are usually the hardest, and headaches are common — most often from caffeine withdrawal and reduced fluid rather than hunger. Cutting back on coffee in the week before Ramadan, and drinking steadily between Iftar and Suhoor rather than all at once, makes a noticeable difference.
Breaking the first fast
The fast ends at Maghrib. The reported practice is to break it with fresh dates, or dry dates, or otherwise a few sips of water, then to pray, then to eat (Sunan Abi Dawud 2356).
On the dates: every date on this page is an astronomical projection based on the Umm al-Qura calendar. The observed start of Ramadan is decided by the sighting of the crescent moon or by the announcement of the relevant authority in each country, and can differ by a day. Follow your local mosque or national committee for the binding date.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to say a specific dua to start fasting?
No. The intention is formed in the heart before Fajr. Commonly circulated formulas are a custom, not a requirement established in the sunnah.
What if I miss suhoor?
The fast is still valid. Suhoor is a strongly recommended sunnah, not a condition.
Why do I get a headache on the first day?
Most often caffeine withdrawal and lower fluid intake. Reducing caffeine before Ramadan and spreading fluids across the evening usually helps.