Power of the Tongue – Ramadan Digest (Day6)

We do not fast only with our stomachs but also with every part of the body. The tongue can mend or break relationships, uplift or wound, and spread truth or falsehood. A single word can bring joy or despair. Islam teaches that guarding our speech is as important as guarding our fasting, for a careless word can nullify the rewards of our worship. As we fast during this Ramadan, let us commit to guarding our tongues, ensuring our words reflect the values of our faith.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Today’s Taraweeh Prayers at Masjid Al Haram will be led by: Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly, and Sheikh Yasser Dosari (Witr)

Ramadan Fasting Times Around The World – February 23, 2026 (05 Ramadan 1447H)

Nigeria National Average – Suhoor ends: 5:36 AM WAT Iftar: 6:40 PM WAT

Abuja – Suhoor ends: 5:31 AM WAT Iftar: 6:41 PM WAT

Lagos – Suhoor ends: 5:45 AM WAT Iftar: 6:59 PM WAT

Kano – Suhoor ends: 5:28 AM WATIftar: 6:34 PM WAT

Ghana (Accra) – Suhoor ends: 5:04 AM GMT Iftar: 6:15 PM GMT(according to local Hanafi/Jafari schedules)

Saudi Arabia – Riyadh (and similar central regions) Suhoor ends (Fajr): 05:02 AM (today’s Fajr time) Iftar (Maghrib): 05:52 PM (sunset, when fast is broken) United States (Approximate Locations)

New York – Suhoor ends: 5:25 AM EST Iftar: 5:39 PM EST

Chicago – Suhoor ends: 5:24 AM CST Iftar: 5:39 PM CST (similar to New York adjusted for local sunset)

Los Angeles – Suhoor ends: 5:30 AM PST Iftar: 5:51 PM PST(approximate regional schedule)

Canada (Approximate Major Cities)

Toronto – Suhoor ends: 6:05 AM EST Iftar: 6:10 PM EST (typical regional time)

Montreal – Suhoor ends: 5:55 AM EST Iftar: 6:00 PM EST (typical regional time)

United Kingdom

London -Suhoor ends: 5:30 AM GMT Iftar: 5:50 PM GMT (based on local Ramadan timetables)

Manchester -Suhoor ends: 5:40 AM GMT Iftar: 6:00 PM GMT(typical local schedule)

Asia

China (Beijing) – Suhoor ends: 5:05 AM CST Iftar: 5:50 PM CST(approximate regional timing) Japan (Tokyo) – Suhoor ends: 5:00 AM JST Iftar: 5:30 PM JST(approximate based on regional calendars)

Global Ramadan News & Updates

Nigeria – The Throne of Light Foundation, in collaboration with The Peace Magazine, is set to launch its first-ever Ramadan food distribution initiative on Thursday, Feb. 26, across Kuje, Dei-Dei and Lugbe National Mosque in Abuja. Organizers say the programme will distribute staple food items to members of the Muslim community while also featuring a brief Ramadan lecture and a health awareness session focused on sickle cell disease and related public health concerns. The initiative is aimed at combining spiritual guidance with community welfare support during the holy month.

Nigeria – The Sokoto State Government has begun distributing financial and food support to more than 2,000 imams, scholars and mosque officials across its 23 local government areas ahead of Ramadan. Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the assistance, which includes cash payments and rice allocations, is intended to support religious leaders and promote social harmony.

United Arab Emirates – Dubai Police’s mobile Iftar cannon, known as Al Rahal, is touring 17 locations across the emirate during Ramadan, extending the traditional sunset firing ceremony to residential areas, tourist sites and hotels. Stops include Zabeel Park, JBR, Bab Al Shams, Global Village and Burj Khalifa, among others. The initiative aims to bring a key Ramadan tradition closer to families and visitors in a community setting.

Colombia – In Bogotá, Colombia’s small but growing Muslim community is observing Ramadan with local cultural influences, including traditional Andean dishes at iftar. Interfaith meals and charity initiatives have fostered solidarity in the predominantly Christian nation, where the Muslim population is estimated between 35,000 and 100,000. Religious leaders say Ramadan in Colombia reflects both Islamic tradition and local identity.

Morocco – Morocco are observing Ramadan in temporary shelters after extreme weather between December 2025 and February 2026 damaged homes and infrastructure. Displaced residents say communal Ramadan traditions have been disrupted as families face daily hardships and limited access to basic services.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Muslims across Bosnia and Herzegovina are observing Ramadan with mosque preparations, lantern displays and increased charitable activities. Community iftar gatherings, including the traditional “Ma’edet Al Rahman,” bring together people of different faiths. Markets see increased activity ahead of sunset, and public figures attend Taraweeh prayers nationwide.

Malaysia – Malaysia’s Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) has allocated RM1.02 million to assist 5,100 asnaf and low-income recipients in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya under its Nur Ramadan 2026 programme. Each beneficiary will receive RM200 in financial assistance as part of Ramadan welfare support efforts.

Health Tips:

• Use Miswak or Natural Mouth Fresheners: The Prophet (pbuh) recommended using miswak to maintain oral hygiene. Chewing cloves or cardamom can also help freshen breath naturally

• Practice Mindful Eating: Eating too quickly or consuming acidic foods may cause reflux, leading to throat discomfort.

Today’s Challenge:

Throughout the day, make a conscious effort to:

Avoid gossip, backbiting, and negative speech, speak words that bring comfort and peace, recite beneficial duas and words of remembrance and offer sincere praise and encouragement to those around you.

Qur’an Verse of the day:

“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:70-71)

Hadiths

“A man may speak a word that pleases Allah, not realizing the good it will bring, and because of it, Allah will raise him in status. And a man may speak a word that angers Allah, not realizing its consequences, and because of it, he will be thrown into Hell.” (Sahih Bukhari 6478, Sahih Muslim 2988)

“The most beloved of you to me and the closest to me on the Day of Judgment will be those with the best character, and the most hated among you and the farthest from me will be those who talk excessively, those who are harsh in speech, and those who are arrogant.” (Tirmidhi 2018)

May Allah guide our speech, purify our hearts, and accept our fasts. Ameen.

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