Ramadan: calendar and fasting on the road

Fasting on the road

A traveller may postpone the fast and make up the days after returning — the Prophet ﷺ did so on journeys. Most of our pilgrims, though, keep the fast in Makkah too: iftar by the Kaaba, where thousands share dates and water, is one of the strongest memories of the trip.

A Ramadan day in Makkah

Suhoor at the hotel an hour before fajr, the dawn prayer at al-Haram, rest until noon. After asr — tawaf and Quran; towards maghrib the group takes a place in the mosque courtyard. At night — tarawih and, in the last ten nights, i'tikaf for those who wish.

Suhoor dua

Nawaytu an asuma sawma shahri Ramadana minal fajri ilal maghribi khalisan lillahi ta'ala.

I intend to fast the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset sincerely for Allah the Almighty.

Iftar dua

Allahumma laka sumtu, wa bika amantu, wa 'alayka tawakkaltu, wa 'ala rizqika aftartu.

O Allah, for You I fasted, in You I believed, on You I relied, and with Your provision I broke my fast.

Laylat al-Qadr

The Night of Power is sought in the odd nights of the last ten; by tradition in Kyrgyzstan it is observed on the night of the 26th to the 27th. In Makkah al-Haram fills up until dawn that night — come early.