The Final Fast

Ramadan 2026 comes to a close at sunset tonight

It always happens so quickly. Ramadan begins with a new moon—and just like that a new moon returns and Ramadan has ended.

Today is the final fast of Ramadan. As the clock strikes sunset, it will be Eid, inshaAllah.

So as Ramadan comes to a close tonight at sunset, I want to give a special congratulations to all the frontline Muslim workers who spent these long, 15+ hour fasts on their feet all day. A congratulations to the chefs (disproportionally women) who fasted while selflessly cooking so their families and communities could eat wholesome meals. A congratulations to those who took advantage of this month by increasing their charity to serve humanity, increased their prayers for self-growth, and increased their good habits while discarding bad ones.

My congrats to those who worked the tough laborious jobs to provide for their families, while fasting. The dry lips, hoarse throat, and pounding thirst. The kind of nonstop work where you look up and realize prayer time passed an hour ago and you completely forgot to eat. And if you worked outdoors? Exhausting doesn’t even begin to cover it. My congratulations to you for enduring and thriving this blessed Month.

So to all of you fasting through the grind, thank you. I know that doesn’t take away the struggle. But we see you. Stay strong. Godspeed.

Now, since Ramadan ends tonight and Eid is tomorrow, I’m getting the usual questions, so let me help clear things up. If someone tells you “Eid Mubarak,” here are a few perfectly acceptable responses:

Eid Mubarak to you too!
Eid Kareem!
Khair Mubarak!
I will buy you tacos for Eid! ❤️

That last one may not be classical Arabic, but I stand by it.

Ramadan, of course, is about much more than fasting from food and water. Yes, not even water. It is a month of fasting from conflict, cruelty, bad habits, and injustice. It is a month of self-reflection and self-reformation. A month of worship, charity, mercy, and peace. A month that calls us not only to draw nearer to God, but to draw nearer to humanity.

And that is why the end of Ramadan always feels bittersweet. In many ways, saying goodbye to Ramadan is like saying goodbye to an old dear friend—not knowing if you’ll ever see them again, but by God, hoping you will.

I pray your Eid is as blessed as your Ramadan was blessed. I pray for the souls who departed this month, that God accepts them in His mercy. I pray for the families carrying grief, that God grants them patience and comfort. I pray for Muslims all over the world, and indeed for all humanity globally, that God lifts us up and unites us in peace, love, compassion, and understanding.

And I pray that whatever progress we made this month does not end tonight at sunset. May we carry it with us through the year ahead. May we continue advancing in service to all humanity.

And for those already feeling emotional: don’t worry.

Ramadan 2027 is only 325 days away.

Eid Mubarak to all!