During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. The fast begins at suhoor, just before Fajr, and ends at iftar, at Maghrib. Prayer times change daily and vary by location, so it's worth checking a local timetable rather than relying on a single fixed time.
What is suhoor?
Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal eaten before the fast begins, taken before Fajr to provide energy for the day ahead. It is a blessed sunnah. Once Fajr time begins, eating and drinking stop entirely, and most scholars recommend stopping a few minutes beforehand as a precaution.
What is iftar?
Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset, at Maghrib. The sunnah is to break the fast with dates and water, pray Maghrib, and then eat the main meal.
Many schedule charity to coincide with Maghrib during the last ten nights - tools such as MyTenNights process donations each evening between Maghrib and Fajr.
How do I find today's iftar and suhoor times in the UK?
- Use a reliable prayer timetable - a local mosque, a trusted UK prayer times website, or a reputable app - mosque timetables tend to be most reliable, since calculation methods vary
- Select your city or postcode - times differ significantly between London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and elsewhere, so a national average isn't reliable
- Find today's Fajr time (when suhoor ends) and Maghrib time (when iftar begins)
What does a sample UK Ramadan timetable look like?
The following is illustrative only, for London, and will differ by date, year and location:
- Suhoor ends / Fajr: 04:30 (dawn prayer, fast begins)
- Dhuhr: 13:15 (midday prayer)
- Asr: 17:00 (afternoon prayer)
- Iftar / Maghrib: 18:15 (break fast at sunset)
- Isha / Taraweeh: 20:00 (night prayer)
Why do Ramadan times change every year?
Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, which is around 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so the month shifts earlier each year and moves through all seasons over roughly a 33-year cycle. A winter Ramadan means shorter UK fasting days and longer nights for prayer; a summer Ramadan can mean UK fasting days exceeding 18 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is iftar today in the UK?
Iftar corresponds to Maghrib - check a local mosque timetable or app for the exact time in your city.
What time does suhoor end today?
Suhoor ends at Fajr. Check a local timetable, and stop eating a few minutes before as a precaution.
Are iftar and suhoor times the same across the UK?
No - they vary significantly by city and region, so a national average shouldn't be relied on.
Do I have to eat suhoor?
It's a highly recommended sunnah, but not strictly obligatory.
Can I keep eating after Fajr starts?
No - this invalidates the fast.
Can I break my fast before Maghrib?
Not without a valid Islamic exemption.
What if I'm travelling or ill during Ramadan?
Islam provides exemptions for travel and illness; missed fasts may need to be made up later - it's worth consulting a scholar for specific circumstances.
