The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Saudi Ministry of Health have not issued a rule banning pilgrims from fasting during Hajj 2026
However, the official health, nutrition and heat-illness guidelines set a hydration and meal schedule that is effectively incompatible with daytime fasting.
Official eating and drinking guidelines for Hajj
The Saudi Ministry of Health’s Pre-Hajj Health Guidelines instruct every pilgrim to “ensure that you drink enough water throughout the rituals to avoid dehydration.”
The official Nusuk Hajj Health Guidelines, published by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, are more specific. Pilgrims are told to drink water and electrolyte-rich beverages and to maintain a balanced diet, particularly in the desert climate.
The advisory also tells pilgrims to take regular breaks and rest in cooler environments to prevent overheating and exhaustion. The list of preventive measures against heat stress and dehydration includes the following:
- Drink water and electrolyte-rich beverages to maintain electrolyte balance
- Include hydrating foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables
- Limit factors that can lead to dehydration, such as excessive caffeine consumption
- Seek medical attention if dehydration symptoms develop
The Saudi MOH’s broader Hajj heat-illness advisory, summarised in the Hajj 2026 Heat Safety Guide, goes further.
It explicitly tells pilgrims to drink 2–3 litres of water per day and not to skip meals, because low blood sugar dramatically increases heat-stroke risk.
Hajj 2026 Heat Safety Guide: How to Handle Makkah Weather for Pilgrims
None of these guidelines are framed as religious rulings. They are operational health instructions issued by the Saudi government to keep pilgrims safe during the pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Hajj’s official nutrition program for pilgrims
The Saudi government runs a full catering operation for pilgrims across Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
According to the official Saudipedia Nutrition During Hajj Season profile, the program is jointly overseen by five Saudi government bodies: the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Holy Makkah Municipality, and the General Food Security Authority.
Pilgrims staying in hotels in Makkah and hotels in Madinah typically receive meals through their tour operator under the same catering standards.
The official recommended foods for pilgrims are listed as:
- Dates
- Whole-grain and whole-wheat bread
- Fresh fruits
- Milk or yoghurt
- Water and juices to prevent dehydration
The Ministry of Hajj has also issued mealtime directives to service providers requiring timely meal distribution to domestic pilgrims at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, with compensation rules for delays. Meals are scheduled across the day, not concentrated at sunset.
MOH guideline for diabetic, elderly and chronic-illness pilgrims
For pilgrims with chronic conditions, the Saudi MOH guidance moves from “recommended” to “advised against fasting” in everything but name.
The MOH’s official guidance for diabetic pilgrims, as summarised across the MOH Diabetes and Hajj page, instructs:
- “It is advisable not to perform Tawaf and Sa’i until after taking adequate treatment and food, to prevent a low blood glucose level”
- “Maintain basic and light meals during travel and Hajj to reduce exposure to very low blood glucose levels”
- Carry insulin, medications, a Glucagon Emergency Kit and a glucometer
- Avoid starting any ritual without first eating and taking medication
The same page notes that physicians may reduce medication doses for the level of physical effort required during Hajj. Eating regularly is the explicit instruction, not skipping meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Saudi government rule banning fasting during Hajj 2026?
No. Neither the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah nor the Ministry of Health has issued a rule banning fasting during Hajj. Their guidelines instead instruct pilgrims to drink 2–3 litres of water daily and not to skip meals to prevent heat illness.
Does Hajj 2026 fall during Ramadan?
No. Hajj 2026 is expected to take place between 24 and 29 May 2026, in the month of Dhul Hijjah — about two and a half months after Ramadan 2026 ended in mid-March. Ramadan fasting does not apply during Hajj.
What does the Saudi Ministry of Health say about hydration during Hajj?
Drink continuously, not just when thirsty. The MOH advisory mandates 2–3 litres of water per day, oral rehydration salts during ritual activities, and hydrating foods like fruits and yoghurt. Caffeine and sugary drinks should be avoided.
What does the MOH say to diabetic pilgrims about fasting?
Eat before any ritual. The MOH explicitly tells diabetic pilgrims not to perform Tawaf or Sa’i without first taking food and medication, and to maintain basic and light meals throughout the pilgrimage to avoid blood-sugar crashes.
What is the Ministry of Hajj’s advice for Arafat Day on 25 May 2026?
Stay in your tent between 10am and 4pm. The Ministry urges pilgrims to remain inside designated camps during peak heat, drink continuously, and use the misting and cooling stations distributed across the Arafat plain.
Where can I check official Hajj 2026 health guidelines?
Two official portals. The Nusuk Hajj Health Guidelines page (hajj.nusuk.sa) and the Saudi Ministry of Health Pilgrim’s Health portal (moh.gov.sa) publish the current operational guidance, including pre-travel preparation, vaccinations and on-site protocols.
Sources
- Nusuk — Official Hajj Health Guidelines
- Saudi Ministry of Health — Health Guidelines before Hajj and Umrah
- Saudi Ministry of Health — Diabetes and Hajj
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Official Portal
- Saudipedia — Nutrition During Hajj Season
- Saudi Gazette — Hajj Ministry Urges Pilgrims to Stay in Tents on Arafat Day
- Saudi Gazette — Phase Two of Arafat Shading and Cooling Project Complete
- Saudi Gazette — MoH Prepares 238 Beds for Heat Stroke Cases
- The Express Tribune — Unfit Pilgrims to be Deported as Saudi Arabia Enforces New Hajj 2026 Health Rules
- Wego — Hajj 2026 Heat Safety Guide
