As the dawn of the third day of Ramadan breaks, millions of Muslims in Saudi Arabia eagerly await the precise times for beginning and ending the fast, observing one of the five pillars of Islam: fasting. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a special time for Muslims worldwide, as it is the month in which the Quran was revealed, and during which good deeds are multiplied, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed.
The importance of accurately determining fasting times
Fasting in Islam involves abstaining from food, drink, and other things that break the fast from the true dawn (the time of Imsak) until sunset (the time of Iftar). Therefore, knowing these times with extreme precision is crucial to ensuring the validity of one's fast. Specialized official bodies, such as the National Center of Meteorology in the Kingdom, are responsible for calculating these times astronomically and announcing them to citizens and residents, thus ensuring the uniformity of this important religious practice throughout the country.
The spiritual and social context of Ramadan
Fasting is not merely physical abstinence; it is a school for self-discipline, fostering piety and empathy for the suffering of the poor and needy. During this month, Muslims increase their devotion to acts of worship such as reciting the Quran, performing the night prayer (Taraweeh), and giving charity. Ramadan also brings with it unique social customs, as families gather for Iftar (the breaking of the fast), charity tables are set up, and bonds of love and solidarity are strengthened within the community. This creates a distinctive atmosphere of faith and spirituality that pervades the Kingdom, especially in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Imsak and Iftar times for Friday, the 3rd of Ramadan
The National Center for Meteorology announced the times for Imsak (dawn prayer) and Iftar (sunset prayer) for Friday, corresponding to the third day of Ramadan, in a number of major cities in the Kingdom, as follows:
- Riyadh : Imsak 5:05 AM – Iftar 5:51 PM
- Makkah : Imsak 5:32 AM - Iftar 6:21 PM
- Madinah : Imsak 5:33 AM - Iftar 6:19 PM
- Jeddah : Imsak 5:34 AM - Iftar 6:24 PM
- Dammam : Imsak 4:52 AM – Iftar 5:36 PM
- Abha : Imsak 5:20 am - Iftar 6:13 pm
- Tabuk : Imsak 5:46 AM – Iftar 6:28 PM
- Buraidah : Imsak 5:16 AM – Iftar 6:01 PM
- Hail : Imsak 5:26 AM – Iftar 6:08 PM
- Al-Baha : Imsak 5:24 AM – Iftar 6:16 PM
- Arar : Imsak 5:29 AM – Iftar 6:08 PM
- Sakaka : Imsak 5:32 AM – Iftar 6:12 PM
- Jazan : Imsak 5:19 AM – Iftar 6:14 PM
- Najran : Imsak 5:13 AM – Iftar 6:07 PM
Those who are fasting are advised to adhere to these official times to ensure that they perform their religious duty in the best possible way, asking God to accept the good deeds of everyone.
