Kandil Nights and the Three Holy Months: 2026–2027 Calendar

Last updated: 13 October 2026 · Published by: DODO İLERİ TEKNOLOJİ VE TİCARET A.Ş. (Mumin App) · Reading time about 5 min

Kandil nights (blessed nights) are nights that Muslims spend in worship, supplication and repentance on the anniversaries of religiously significant events. In calendars, the date of a Kandil is usually written as the day on whose evening the night begins. For example, Raghaib Kandil is listed as Thursday, 10 December 2026, and the Kandil night is the night that begins that evening, because the Hijri day begins at sunset.

The dates below are taken from the religious days calendar of Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). If Diyanet later changes any date, Diyanet's publication should be treated as the authority.

Kandil nights and religious days, 2026–2027

Source: Diyanet religious days calendar (2026 and 2027 lists). Diyanet announces Eid prayer times separately for each province every year.

What does Diyanet say about Kandil nights?

In its statement on the place of blessed days and nights and Kandil nights in Islam, the Supreme Board of Religious Affairs says that no specific form of worship for these nights is reported in authentic sources. It also notes that there is no authentic narration for a prayer specific to Raghaib Kandil, nor for fasting on every day of the month of Rajab. For this reason, prayers with a fixed number and form, such as "12 rak'ahs on the night of Raghaib", are not among the practices Diyanet recommends.

The acts of worship Diyanet suggests for Kandil nights are general in nature: performing make-up (qada) or voluntary prayers, reading the Qur'an, making supplication and repentance, giving charity and visiting relatives. Diyanet's fatwa on innovation (bid'ah) and superstition, dated 18 February 2026, also states that inventing prayers or dhikr with fixed numbers, when no such specific act of worship has been established, is an innovation; the fatwa does not regard digitizing religious texts or calculating prayer times scientifically as innovation.

Be cautious about chain messages along the lines of "if you forward this message to this many people" and about sayings attributed to the Prophet without a stated source.

What are the Three Holy Months?

The Three Holy Months is the name given to the months of Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan. In Turkey, the Three Holy Months are marked from the beginning of Rajab, and the first Friday night of Rajab is observed as Raghaib Kandil. This period is regarded as a time of preparation for Ramadan. In 2026–2027, the Three Holy Months begin on 10 December 2026; Mi'raj Kandil is on 4 January 2027, Bara'at Kandil on 22 January 2027 and 1 Ramadan on 8 February 2027.

Diyanet states that there is no authentic narration for widespread practices such as a prayer specific to the night of Raghaib or fasting on every day of Rajab. For this reason, Diyanet's explanation should be taken as the basis for worship during this period, and the source of any practice tied to a fixed number or form should be asked about. The hadith found in al-Bukhari and Muslim that recommends deeds that are constant even if small (al-Bukhari, Riqaq 18; Muslim, Musafirin 218) is a useful yardstick when planning this period.

• Rajab: 1 Rajab 1448 = 10 December 2026 (Raghaib Kandil falls on the same evening).
• Sha'ban: Bara'at Kandil is on 22 January 2027.
• Ramadan: 1 Ramadan 1448 = 8 February 2027.

Things to keep in mind on Kandil nights

There is a lot of misinformation about Kandil nights. Claims such as "pray this many rak'ahs on a certain night and receive this reward" are not based on authentic sources, as Diyanet points out. Checking the source before sharing this kind of information protects both you and those around you.

A Kandil night is an opportunity for worship that is not tied to a particular number or form, and that you can plan according to your strength and time. You can decide for yourself which of the items Diyanet suggests (make-up or voluntary prayer, Qur'an recitation, supplication and repentance, charity and maintaining family ties) to do. What matters is consistency; the principle of the hadith also cited in Diyanet's Kandil statement is small but regular deeds throughout the year rather than one night of intense worship.

How can a Kandil night be spent?

1. To know when the night begins, check your city's Maghrib time; the Hijri day changes at that time.
2. Take care to pray Isha on time; if you have make-up prayers owed, plan them (make-up prayer guide).
3. Set aside a calm time for Qur'an recitation, supplication and seeking forgiveness; treat any number or form as a personal goal you set, not as a religious requirement.
4. Do not neglect to comfort and connect with family, neighbors and relatives through visits.
5. If you share a Kandil message, prefer a short greeting whose source is not in doubt: "May your Kandil be blessed."

Frequently asked questions

Which day is Raghaib Kandil in 2026?

According to the Diyanet calendar, the start of the Three Holy Months and Raghaib Kandil fall on Thursday, 10 December 2026; it is observed as the first Friday night of the month of Rajab.

When is Bara'at Kandil in 2027?

Bara'at Kandil is listed as Friday, 22 January 2027. It is the night linking the 14th to the 15th of Sha'ban.

Is there a special prayer for Kandil nights?

According to Diyanet's statement, no specific form of worship for these nights is reported in authentic sources. Make-up or voluntary prayer, Qur'an recitation, supplication and repentance are recommended; there is no prayer with a set number of rak'ahs.

When is Laylat al-Qadr in 2027?

It is listed as Friday, 5 March 2027; it is the night linking the 26th to the 27th of Ramadan.

Sources

• Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Dinî Günler 2026
• Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Dinî Günler 2027
• Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, Mübarek gün ve geceler ile kandillerin İslam'daki yeri nedir?
• Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, Bid'at ve hurafe nedir? (18.02.2026)

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