Ramadan Mubarak! The blessed month started on February 19, 2026 in India. I'm sharing this guide as someone who's observed Ramadan for 15+ years in Hyderabad. This isn't scholarly fatwa—just practical information that helps me and my family. Please verify with your local imam for specific religious questions.
What's covered: Exact timings for major cities, complete duas (Arabic + English + meaning), what breaks your fast (some surprised me!), and practical tips I've learned over the years.
📑 Quick Navigation
- Ramadan 2026 Timings (Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata)
- Sehri Dua (Complete with Translation)
- Iftar Dua (Complete with Translation)
- 10 Important Ramadan Duas
- 12 Things That Break Your Roza (What to Avoid)
- What to Eat in Sehri (From Experience)
- Iftar Menu Ideas (Simple & Nutritious)
- Health Tips for Fasting
⚠️ Important Note
Timings vary by 1-2 minutes daily as sunrise/sunset times change. Always verify with your local masjid or Islamic calendar. Minor differences may exist between Sunni and Shia communities. When in doubt, follow your local mosque's announcement.
🕌 Ramadan 2026 Sehri & Iftar Timings (Major Indian Cities)
First Roza: February 19, 2026 (Thursday)
Expected Duration: 29-30 days (ending around March 19-20)
Fasting Hours: Approximately 12-14 hours daily
Delhi Timings (Sample Week)
| Date | Sehri Ends (Fajr) | Iftar Begins (Maghrib) |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 19 (Roza 1) | 5:51 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Feb 20 (Roza 2) | 5:50 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Feb 21 (Roza 3) | 5:49 AM | 6:27 PM |
| Mar 1 (Mid-Ramadan) | 5:35 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Mar 19 (Approx Last) | 5:15 AM | 6:50 PM |
Mumbai
First Roza (Feb 19):
Sehri: 5:51 AM
Iftar: 6:40 PM
Timings shift ~2 min daily
Hyderabad
First Roza (Feb 19):
Sehri: 5:40 AM
Iftar: 6:28 PM
Timings shift ~1-2 min daily
Kolkata
First Roza (Feb 19):
Sehri: 4:45 AM
Iftar: 5:40 PM
Earliest timings in India
💡 Pro Tip from Experience:
Set your alarm 20-25 minutes BEFORE sehri end time. You need time to eat, drink water, brush teeth, and make intention for fasting. Don't cut it too close—better safe than sorry!
🌙 Sehri Dua (Niyyah for Fasting)
Complete Sehri Dua
Arabic:
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Transliteration:
Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan
English Meaning:
"I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan"
📝 Note: Niyyah (intention) can be made in your heart in any language. Saying it in Arabic is recommended but not mandatory.
🍽️ Iftar Dua (Breaking Fast)
Dua When Breaking Fast
Arabic:
اَللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَليْكَ تَوَكّلتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa ala rizq-ika aftartu
English Meaning:
"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"
🕐 When to Say:
Say this dua BEFORE eating your first date or drinking water at Maghrib time. Don't wait until after eating the entire iftar!
Short Iftar Dua (Also Valid)
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
"The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills"
📿 10 Important Ramadan Duas
Three Ashra Duas (10 Days Each)
1st Ashra (Day 1-10): Dua for Mercy
رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
"Oh my Lord, forgive and have mercy and You are the best of those who show mercy"
2nd Ashra (Day 11-20): Dua for Forgiveness
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
"I seek forgiveness from Allah my Lord from every sin I committed"
3rd Ashra (Day 21-29/30): Dua for Protection from Hellfire
اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ
"O Allah, save me from the Hellfire"
Laylatul Qadr Dua (Night of Power)
Last 10 nights of Ramadan (especially odd nights: 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
"Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu anni"
Meaning: "O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me"
⚠️ 12 Things That Break Your Roza (What to Avoid)
Based on common understanding in Hanafi fiqh (please verify with your local imam for your madhab):
1. Eating or Drinking Intentionally
Breaks fast: Yes
If by mistake: Complete your fast, it's still valid
Note: Even a single grain of rice or sip of water if intentional
2. Smoking (Cigarettes, Vaping)
Breaks fast: Yes
Why: Smoke enters throat
Includes: Shisha, hookah, e-cigarettes
3. Vomiting Intentionally
Breaks fast: Yes
If you feel nauseous and vomit: Fast remains valid
Key word: Intentionally making yourself vomit breaks it
4. Menstruation or Post-Childbirth Bleeding
Must not fast: It's forbidden to fast during these times
Make up: After Ramadan, make up the missed days
No sin: This is natural and exempted by Allah
5. Marital Relations
Breaks fast: Yes
Allowed: Between Maghrib and Fajr
Important: Requires bath (ghusl) before next fajr
6. Applying Surma (Kohl) in Eyes
Breaks fast: Opinion differs
Safer opinion: Avoid during fasting hours
Apply: After iftar if needed
7. Taking Medicine Orally
Breaks fast: Yes (pills, syrups)
Allowed: Insulin injections, IV drips (opinion differs)
If sick: You're exempt from fasting
8. Ear Drops or Nose Drops
Breaks fast: Yes (many don't know this!)
Why: Connected to throat/stomach
Alternative: Use after iftar
9. Swallowing Saliva
Breaks fast: No (own saliva is fine)
But: Don't deliberately gather and swallow
Blood from gums: Try not to swallow
10. Brushing Teeth with Toothpaste
Breaks fast: Opinion differs
If paste/water goes down throat: Breaks fast
Safe option: Use miswak or brush without paste
11. Inhaling Strong Scents Intentionally
Breaks fast: Opinion differs
Example: Incense (agarbatti) smoke
Perfume/attar on body: Generally okay
12. Blood Donation or Cupping
Breaks fast: Opinion differs (some say yes, some no)
Better: Donate blood after iftar
Emergency: Saving a life comes first
Important Clarification:
If you break your fast by mistake (forgot you were fasting and ate/drank), your fast is still valid. This is Allah's mercy. Just spit out whatever is in your mouth and continue fasting. No qaza (make-up) needed.
🍳 What to Eat in Sehri (From 15 Years Experience)
Foods That Keep You Full Longer:
✅ Complex Carbs
- Oats (best!)
- Brown bread
- Whole wheat paratha
- Brown rice
✅ Protein
- Boiled eggs (2-3)
- Yogurt/dahi
- Cheese
- Chicken/meat
✅ Hydration
- 2-3 glasses water
- Coconut water
- Milk
- Banana (prevents thirst)
❌ Avoid These in Sehri:
- Salty foods: Make you very thirsty (pickles, chips, papad)
- Sugary foods: Quick energy crash (sweets, chocolates)
- Fried foods: Cause acidity (samosas, pakoras)
- Too much tea/coffee: Dehydrating (limit to 1 cup)
- Spicy food: Increases thirst throughout the day
🥣 My Personal Sehri Menu (Works Every Time):
- 2 whole wheat parathas with yogurt
- 2 boiled eggs
- 1 banana
- 2-3 glasses of water (drink slowly)
- 1 date (sunnah)
- Small cup of tea (optional)
This keeps me energized till iftar without feeling too hungry or thirsty!
🥘 Iftar Menu Ideas (Simple & Nutritious)
How to Break Your Fast (Sunnah Way):
Step 1: Break fast with dates (1, 3, or 5 - odd numbers) and water
Step 2: Pray Maghrib
Step 3: Have main iftar meal
Why: This gives your stomach time to adjust + you get to pray on time
Sample Iftar Menu (Indian Style):
| Item | Why Good |
| Dates + Water | Quick energy, hydration |
| Fresh Fruit Chaat | Vitamins, natural sugar |
| Samosa/Pakora (1-2) | Satisfying but don't overeat |
| Chicken/Mutton Curry | Protein, keeps you full |
| Rice/Roti (moderate) | Carbs for energy |
| Rooh Afza/Lassi | Cooling, traditional |
⚠️ Iftar Mistakes to Avoid:
- Overeating immediately: Causes stomach pain, sluggishness
- Too much fried food: Hard to digest after fasting
- Drinking cold water immediately: Room temperature is better
- Not eating enough: You need energy for Taraweeh!
💪 Health Tips for Fasting (From Experience)
1. Stay Hydrated
Drink 8-10 glasses of water between iftar and sehri. Don't drink all at once—space it out every hour.
2. Avoid Direct Sun
Especially between 12-3 PM. If you must go out, use umbrella or stay in shade. Reduces exhaustion.
3. Light Exercise Only
Walk after iftar if needed. Avoid gym or heavy exercise while fasting. Listen to your body.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Waking up for sehri disrupts sleep. Try taking a short afternoon nap (30-45 min) to compensate.
5. If You're Sick
Don't force yourself. Islam gives exemptions for illness. Make up the fasts later when healthy.
6. Headache Solution
Common in first few days. Reduce caffeine before Ramadan. If severe, consult doctor—don't suffer.
May Allah Accept Your Fasts
Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and water. It's about building taqwa (God-consciousness), controlling anger, being generous, strengthening family bonds, and becoming a better person.
This guide is just the practical side. The spiritual side—sincere worship, reading Quran, helping others, making dua—that's between you and Allah.
Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family!
May this month bring you closer to Allah and fill your life with barakah.
Remember: If I made any mistakes in this guide, please forgive me. If anything helps, all credit to Allah alone.
Share This Guide
If this helped you, share it with family and friends. May Allah reward you for spreading beneficial knowledge.
Questions? Corrections? Drop a comment below—let's help each other observe Ramadan better! 🤲
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