Fasting in Ramadan

Allah has made fasting obligatory on the believers, as He made it on those before them, so that they may become mindful of Him (al-Baqarah 2:183). Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam (Bukhari 8, Muslim 16).

The fast lasts from true dawn until sunset (al-Baqarah 2:187). During it there is no eating, drinking or marital relations, with the intention of fasting for Allah.

Who must fast Every Muslim who is adult and sane, unless one of the reasons below applies. Children should be helped to practise.

Sehri and iftar

1. Eat sehri before dawn, even a little food or water; the Prophet (peace be upon him) said there is blessing in it. Stop eating when dawn begins.
2. The intention is in the heart. Getting up for sehri already shows it.
3. Break the fast (iftar) as soon as the sun has set. The Prophet said people remain in good as long as they hurry to break the fast. Dates or water are a good start.

What breaks the fast

1. Eating, drinking or smoking on purpose.
2. Marital relations during the day.
3. Vomiting on purpose.
4. Medicine or anything else taken by mouth or through the nose that reaches the throat or stomach.
5. The start of menstruation or postnatal bleeding.

Sins also harm the fast. The Prophet said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting on it, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink." (Bukhari 1903)

What does not break the fast

1. Eating or drinking out of forgetfulness. The Prophet said that whoever forgets and eats or drinks should complete the fast, for it was Allah who fed him and gave him drink (Bukhari 1933, Muslim 1155).
2. Vomiting that was not on purpose.
3. Rinsing the mouth and nose in wudu, if no water goes down the throat.
4. Using a miswak, or bathing.
5. A wet dream, or waking up in need of ghusl.
6. Swallowing your own saliva.

Who may leave the fast

1. A sick person or a traveller, who makes up the days later (al-Baqarah 2:184–185).
2. A woman in menstruation or postnatal bleeding must not fast; she makes up the days later, but not the prayers.
3. A pregnant or breastfeeding woman who fears harm to herself or her child.
4. A very old or permanently ill person who cannot fast feeds one poor person for each day (al-Baqarah 2:184).

Qada and kaffarah

1. Each missed fast is made up later with one day (qada).
2. Marital relations during a Ramadan day need kaffarah as well, as the Prophet told a man who had done this: fasting two months in a row, or, for one truly unable, feeding sixty poor people.

Scholars differ on some details, such as how a pregnant or breastfeeding woman makes up her fasts.

If you are unsure about your own situation, ask a trusted local alim.