Dzulhijjah Fasting 2026: Intentions, Schedule, Rulings, Procedures, and Breaking Fast Prayer
The arrival of the month of Dzulhijjah is highly anticipated by Muslims worldwide, as the first ten days of this twelfth month in the Hijri calendar hold immense spiritual rewards. One of the primary recommended practices is observing the Dzulhijjah 2026 fast, a golden opportunity for spiritual closeness to Allah SWT, especially for those unable to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at this time.
To ensure the validity of the worship, it is vital to understand the religious rulings and refer to the official schedule set by the government. Proper adherence to the procedures according to Sharia ensures that the fast is spiritually meaningful. This includes preparing the correct intentions (niyyah) for the first seven days of Dzulhijjah, as well as for the specific Tarwiyah and Arafah fasts.
Official Schedule Based on the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) RI Decree:
According to the official announcement from the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs via the Sidang Isbat on Sunday, 17 May 202_6, the government has determined that 1 Zulhijah 1447 Hijriah falls on Monday, 18 May 2026. Based on this decree, the fasting schedule for Dzulhijjah 2026 is as follows:
Monday, 18 May 2026: 1st Day of Dzulhijjah Sunnah Fast
Tuesday, 19 May 2026: 2nd Day of Dzulhijjah Sunnah Fast
Wednesday, 20 May 2026: 3rd Day of Dzulhijjah Sunnah Fast
Thursday, 21 May 2026: 4th Day of Dzulhijjah Sunnah Fast
Friday, 22 May 2026: 5th Day of Dzulhijjah Sunnah Fast
Saturday, 23 May 2026: 6th Day of Dzulhijjah Sunnah Fast
Sunday, 24 May 2026: 7th Day of Dzulhijjah Sunnah Fast
Monday, 25 May 2026: Tarwiyah Sunnah Fast (8 Dzulhijjah)
Tuesday, 26 May 2026: Arafah Sunnah Fast (9 Dzulhijjah)
Wednesday, 27 May 2026: Eid al-Adha 1447 H (Fasting is prohibited)
Religious Rulings and Virtues:
Performing the fast during the first nine days of Dzulhijjah is considered Sunnah. The virtues include the multiplication of rewards, where one day of fasting can be equivalent to a year of voluntary fasting, and the Arafah fast specifically can expiate the sins of the previous and following years.
Intentions for Fasting:
For 1-7 Dzulhijjah: ‘Nawaitu shauma syahri dzil hijjah sunnatan lillâhi ta’âlâ’ (I intend to fast the sunnah of the month of Dzulhijjah for the sake of Allah).
For Tarwiyah (8 Dzulhijjah): ‘Nawaitu shauma tarwiyata sunnatan lillâhi ta’âlâ’ (I intend to fast the Tarwiyah sunnah for the sake of Allah).
For Arafah (9 Dzulhijjah): ‘Nawaitu shauma arafata sunnatan lillâhi ta’âlâ’ (I intend to fast the Arafah sunnah for the sake of Allah).
Procedures and Breaking the Fast:
The procedure is similar to Ramadan fasting, involving abstaining from things that invalidate the fast from dawn until sunset. Notably, those with outstanding Ramadan fasts (qadha) may perform them alongside these sunnah fasts. Upon Maghrib, it is recommended to break the fast with the prayer: ‘Allahumma laka shumtu wa ’ala rizqika afthartu fataqabbal minni innaka antas-sami’ul ’aliim’ (O Allah, for You I have fasted and with Your provision I have broken my fast, so accept from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing).