Fasting for Ramadan

Why do Muslims Fast during Ramadan?

Ramadan is one of the holiest months for Muslims around the world. It is a busy period filled with worship and charitable acts, the most significant of which is fasting for the sake of Allah. Fasting for Ramadan is one of the core practices of Islam, fulfilling the fourth pillar, Sawm, which translates from Arabic to ‘Fasting.’

It has been narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Fasting during Ramadan goes beyond abstaining from food. There are specific rules for fasting in Ramadan that must be followed for the fast to be valid. Additionally, certain traditions are customary for those observing the fast. If you are new to the Muslim community or would like to learn more about fasting during Ramadan, continue reading to understand more.

Fasting Rules in Ramadan

The first step towards understanding fasting in Ramadan is to familiarise yourself with the rules. It is widely known that during Ramadan fasting times, Muslims are not permitted to eat or drink from dawn to dusk. However, there is often confusion about who must observe the fast. Whilst all Muslims are required to fast, some individuals are exempt from fasting.

Who is Exempt from Fasting During Ramadan?

Whilst every Muslim should abide by the Five Pillars of Islam, including Sawm, there are some exceptions. Certain groups of people are exempt from fasting. Children below the age of puberty come under this category. Their bodies are small and need nourishment, and they find it difficult to stick to the fasting rules at a very young age, which is why those who have not yet gone through puberty are not required to fast. Once they reach an age where they can, they should be encouraged to fast or gradually be introduced to fasting. Some scholars describe this to be from the age of 10.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are older people, who are frail and more likely to be in poor health. As a result of this, they are also exempt from fasting during Ramadan.

It’s not just the elderly who may be in ill health; anyone undergoing medical treatment or on vital medication is permitted to miss the fast as they nurse their bodies to full health.

Anyone who has travelled a distance will know how tiring it can be and how taxing it is on the mind and body, it is for this reason those that are travelling are also not required to fast.

In addition to the above, there are three instances in which women do not need to observe fasting: if she is menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

If a person does not fit into any of the above categories, they are required to fast.

The above covers the aspect of those who are exempt from fasting during Ramadan, but there are other rulings that need to be considered as well.

Making up Missed Fasts

One of the two rules applies to those who are exempt from fasting. They either need to make up the missed days of fasting at another time in the year or pay Fidya if they are unable to fast at a later date. Fidya is a compulsory donation that Muslims who are exempt from fasting must pay if they have no hope of regaining the strength to make up for the missed fasts.

Breaking a Fast in Islam

What Breaks a Fast?

Naturally, consuming any food or water during daylight hours breaks your fast. However, these actions aren’t the only factors that can invalidate the fast. In fact, engaging in any impure behaviours during sunlight hours, such as swearing, arguing, or sexual activity, will also result in the breaking of your fast.

Unintentional Breaking of the Fast

There are some factors which may cause a Muslim to break their fast unintentionally, specifically women:

• Due to Menstruation, Breastfeeding and Pregnancy.

As per the Ramadan rules, if a woman begins to menstruate, she must end her fast. The start of menstruation is unintentional and, therefore, doesn’t invalidate the days during which a woman has completed her fast. Instead, she should make up the days she cannot fast at another point in the year.

Similarly, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are allowed to stop fasting if the fast becomes too hard for them, and they fear it might result in some kind of harm to their health or the baby’s health. In such an event, they can make up the days they missed their fast at a later date. However, if a mother is expected to continue to breastfeed until next Ramadan and beyond, she can pay Fidya.

Breaking the Fast Out of Forgetfulness

If a Muslim forgets they are fasting and eats something or takes a drink by mistake, their fast is not invalid. They are permitted to continue fasting for Ramadan when they realise their error.

Intentional Breaking of a Fast

For someone who is to break a fast intentionally with no valid reason is obliged to pay Kaffarah for breaking a fast. While Kaffarah is not mandatory, it is required to be paid unless the individual chooses to make up for the missed fasts by fasting continuously for 60 days. If fasting for 60 consecutive days is not possible, then one must contribute to feed 60 people in need (this would be for 2 meals).

Fasting Times for Ramadan

Between the hours of Dusk to Dawn, Muslims are permitted to eat. However, when the period of the brightening light before sunrise appears, the fasting person must stop eating and begin their fast till the fading light after sunset.

What Time is Iftar?

Ramadan Iftar is the meal that is eaten after the sun has set at the time of breaking the fast. Due to the Iftar timing, it is often reminiscent of a dinner-time meal.

Common Iftar Foods

It is common among Muslims to break their fast with dates, in line with the tradition and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Keeping fluids up is also essential during Ramadan. In some cultures, soup is consumed as an Iftar meal. Chunky vegetable soup rich with beans, lentils, grains, and pasta is a great way to top up a person’s fluids, besides providing good nutritional value. In addition to soup, fish and meat are good options when served alongside a variety of vegetables, fruits, rice/pasta, grains, and yoghurt.

What Time is Suhoor?

Ramadan Suhoor is a pre-dawn meal and is often based on popular breakfast foods. Waking up for Suhoor brings a lot of blessings according to the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH). It is highly advisable to eat Suhoor to make one’s fasting day blessed, with sufficient energy to perform routine activities as well as acts of worship.

Common Suhoor Foods

Yoghurt, fruit, cereal, eggs, oats, and wholemeal bread are good choices at this time of the day as they provide slow energy release and contain lots of vitamins and vital nourishment for the fasting person.

At the time of Suhoor and Iftar, it is essential to ensure the necessary intake of water. It is common for some people to experience mild dehydration during Ramadan – especially in hot weather when body fluid may be lost through sweating. That is why making a conscious effort to drink water outside fasting hours is so important.

Are You Allowed to Brush Your Teeth While Fasting?

Brushing your teeth will not break your fast so long as you make a conscious effort not to swallow the toothpaste or water.

The End of Ramadan

When the ninth month of the Islamic year draws to a close, the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr are welcomed. Eid is a day of joy and gratefulness; fasting on the day of Eid is prohibited.

Find Out More

If you have any additional questions about fasting in Ramadan, or around the month of Ramadan in general, then please consult either your local Imam or get in touch directly with Orphans in Need.

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