Ramadan 2026 Approaches: When Will the First Sahur Begin?
As the holy month of Ramadan draws near, questions about when the first sahur will begin are once again being widely searched by the public. Each year, the determination of the start of Ramadan often produces differing dates due to varying calculation methods. This has led many Muslims to seek early clarity on when the first sahur will take place in 2026.
Sahur is the pre-dawn meal consumed before the break of dawn in preparation for fasting. This moment is important as it provides the energy needed to carry out daily activities while fasting during Ramadan.
Estimated First Sahur of Ramadan 2026
Based on several Hijri calendar calculations for 2026, 1 Ramadan 1447 H is estimated to fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026. If this date is confirmed as the start of fasting, the first sahur would take place in the early hours of Thursday morning.
However, the Indonesian government has not yet officially determined the start of Ramadan 2026. The decision will be made through a sidang isbat (official moon-sighting session) scheduled to take place tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
The session is held to determine the beginning of the Hijri month based on the results of rukyatul hilal (moon sighting) and hisab (astronomical calculations). Should the sidang isbat confirm that 1 Ramadan falls on 19 February 2026, all Muslims in Indonesia will begin their first sahur in the early hours of that date.
Muhammadiyah Version: Sahur on 18 February 2026
Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah has already determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Under this decision, Muhammadiyah followers will begin fasting on Wednesday, meaning their first sahur will take place in the early hours of Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
In addition to setting the start of Ramadan, Muhammadiyah has also determined that Eid al-Fitr 1447 H is expected to fall on Friday, 20 March 2026.
In contrast, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is still awaiting the results of hilal observation before determining the start of Ramadan 2026. NU typically announces its decision after conducting rukyatul hilal at various observation points across Indonesia.
Although no official decision has been made, there are indications that the start of Ramadan 2026 will most likely fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026, based on previously compiled astronomical calculations.
A similar prediction has come from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), which estimates that fasting could potentially begin on 19 February 2026 based on astronomical calculations.