What Time to Break Fast in Ramadan 2026? Iftar Times

Break your fast at Maghrib (sunset) each day during Ramadan 2026. The exact time varies by location and changes daily as the sun sets later through February and March. In most Northern Hemisphere cities, iftar will be between 5:30-7:00 PM during Ramadan 2026.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast” (Bukhari & Muslim). This means you should break your fast immediately at Maghrib—don’t delay unnecessarily.

The Sunnah is to break fast with dates and water before praying Maghrib, then eat your main iftar meal afterward. If dates aren’t available, water alone is sufficient. The key is to break the fast at the correct time, neither too early nor unnecessarily late.

---

Iftar Times for Ramadan 2026 (Major Cities)

City	Feb 18 (Start)	Mar 4 (Mid)	Mar 19 (End)
New York, USA	~5:35 PM	~5:55 PM	~7:15 PM
Los Angeles, USA	~5:45 PM	~6:00 PM	~7:10 PM
London, UK	~5:15 PM	~5:50 PM	~6:25 PM
Dubai, UAE	~6:15 PM	~6:25 PM	~6:35 PM
Karachi, Pakistan	~6:20 PM	~6:30 PM	~6:40 PM
Sydney, Australia	~7:45 PM	~7:25 PM	~7:05 PM

Times are approximate and change daily. Always verify with local prayer times.

---

Can I Eat at 7 PM During Ramadan?

You can eat at 7 PM only if Maghrib (sunset) has already occurred in your city. In Ramadan 2026, most Northern Hemisphere cities have Maghrib between 5:15–6:30 PM, making 7 PM safe in most locations. For example:

• New York in early Ramadan (February): Maghrib is ~5:35 PM, so 7 PM is fine
• London in late Ramadan (March): Maghrib is ~6:25 PM, so 7 PM is fine
• Sydney in early Ramadan: Maghrib is ~7:45 PM, so 7 PM is TOO EARLY

Always check your local Maghrib time daily—never assume a fixed time throughout the month.

---

What If I Break My Fast Too Early?

If intentional (knowing Maghrib hadn’t occurred):

• Fast is invalidated
• Must make up the day after Ramadan (qada)
• Seek forgiveness from Allah

If accidental (thought Maghrib had passed):

• Continue fasting the rest of the day
• Most scholars say the fast is valid if it was a genuine mistake
• Seek forgiveness and be more careful

If uncertain:

• Wait a few more minutes to be safe
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast” — but this means breaking immediately AT Maghrib, not before

---

Sunnah Way to Break Fast

1. Say the dua: “Allahumma laka sumtu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu” (O Allah, for You I fasted and with Your provision I break my fast)
2. Break with dates: Eat an odd number of dates (1, 3, 5, or 7)
3. Drink water: Hydrate before the meal
4. Pray Maghrib: Perform the obligatory prayer
5. Eat iftar meal: Then enjoy your main meal

---

Related Questions

---

Last updated: February 3, 2026