Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period for Muslims worldwide dedicated to fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. But do you know what the rules of Ramadan are? The primary rules revolve around Sawm (fasting).
In this blog, we will explore the rules of fasting in Ramadan and how to spend this month spiritually elevated.
When is Ramadan Observed
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The official start and end of Ramadan rely on the sighting of the new crescent moon (hilal). The practice of fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a fundamental obligation for Muslims who can observe it.
What is Ramadan Fasting (Sawm)?
The Arabic word for fashion is Sawm, or Siyam, which literally means ‘to refrain’ or ‘to abstain.’ Ramadan fasting is a complete abstention from all food, drink, and other specific activities from the break of dawn (fajr) until sunset (maghrib) each day of the month.
However, fasting in Islam goes beyond physical abstention. It encompasses spiritual purification and moral discipline.
The primary purpose of fasting is Taqwa (God-fearing). The Quran states;
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah. (Al-Baqarah:183)
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The Rules of Fasting in Ramadan
Rules of Starting and Ending the Fast
Fasting should be observed within a time frame. Everyone should follow the proper time during Ramzan. Neglecting the rules of time can invalidate the fast.
Starting Time
The fast begins at fajr, which is true dawn, the time when a white horizontal light appears across the horizon before sunrise. This is the time for the fajr prayer, and it marks the moment when eating and drinking must stop.
Muslims typically refer to prayer timetables to determine the exact fajr time. It varies by location and changes throughout the year.
Ending Time
The fast ends at Maghrib. It is the moment when the sun completely sets below the horizon. This is also the time for the maghrib (sunset) prayer. Muslims traditionally break their fast immediately upon sunset, following the prophetic guidance not to delay breaking the fast.
Making the Intention
Every act of worship in Islam requires intention, including fasting. The niyyah (intention) must be made before dawn each day. This is an internal commitment in the heart to fast for the sake of Allah.
Read this Sehri dua before starting your fast.
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Wa bi-sawmi ghadin nawaytu min shahri Ramadhan
"I intend to keep the fast tomorrow for the month of Ramadan."
Suhoor and Iftar
Suhoor
Suhoor (Sehri) is the pre-dawn meal eaten before the fast begins with the intention of fasting. Muslims wake up early to eat this meal, which should be completed before the fajr (dawn) prayer time. The Prophet Muhammad encouraged eating suhoor, calling it a blessed meal that provides strength for the day ahead.
Hazrat Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reports that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
Take a meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking a meal at that time. (Sahih Muslim 1095)
Iftar
Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. Traditionally, Muslims break their fast with dates and water, following the practice of the Prophet, before performing the maghrib (sunset) prayer. A larger meal typically follows.
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Actions That Invalidate (Break) the Fast
There are certain actions and activities that break the fast. During fasting hours, from fajr to maghrib, Muslims must abstain from:
Eating and Drinking
Intentional consumption of any food or drink, no matter how small the amount, breaks the fast. This includes:
- Solid foods of any kind
- All beverages, including water, coffee, tea, and juice
- Chewing and swallowing gum, as pieces may be swallowed.
- Swallowing saliva mixed with external substances
Things that Reach the Stomach
Anything that enters the body through natural openings and reaches the stomach or intestines typically breaks the fast. It includes swallowing phlegm that has reached the mouth.
Sexual Intercourse
It is the most serious invalidator of fasting. Sexual intercourse is considered the gravest action that breaks the fast, and it carries the most severe consequences.
Intentional Vomiting
Deliberately inducing vomiting breaks the fast. This includes:
- Putting fingers down the throat
- Smelling something specifically to induce vomiting
- Pressing on the stomach to force vomiting
Menstruation and Postpartum Bleeding
Menstruation and postpartum bleeding are considered invalidation. When menstruation or postpartum bleeding (nifas) begins, even moments before sunset, the fast for that day is invalidated.
Smoking and Vaping
Any form of smoking breaks the fast. It includes all kinds of traditional and modern forms of smoking.
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Hookah/shisha
- Pipes
- Vaping/e-cigarettes
Injections and Medical Treatments
The core principle in Islamic fasting is that anything entering the body through natural openings (mouth, nose, ears, or private parts) that reaches the stomach or brain invalidates the fast. So, according to the scholars, the nutritional injections break the fast.
Apostasy (Riddah)
Leaving Islam during the fast invalidates it. If someone renounces their faith during a fasting day, that fast is broken, and all previous fasts of that Ramadan are invalidated. If they return to Islam, they must make up all those days.
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Actions That Do Not Break the Fast
Islam is an easy religion to follow, and it encourages ease for its followers. Islam does not force you to fast at any cost. There are certain actions that do not invalidate the fast.
Accidental consumption
If someone eats or drinks while genuinely forgetting they are fasting, the fast remains valid. This is based on the hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Allah has fed them and given them drink. The person should simply stop immediately upon remembering and continue their fast.
Forced Consumption
If someone is physically forced to eat or drink against their will, their fast is not broken according to most scholars.
Swallowing Saliva (One's Own Saliva)
Swallowing your own saliva does not break the fast because it is continuous and unavoidable. However, this applies only to pure saliva. If saliva mixes with food particles from your teeth, significant blood from your gums, or phlegm that has risen from your chest into your mouth, you should avoid swallowing it.
Pure saliva remains inside your body's cavity, but phlegm that reaches your mouth is considered to have exited and shouldn't be swallowed back. Accidental swallowing of these substances doesn't invalidate the fast.
Involuntary Vomiting
Vomiting that occurs naturally without deliberate effort does not break the fast. This is based on the Prophet's (SAW) hadith that whoever is overcome by vomit need not make up the day, but whoever vomits intentionally must.
If illness causes you to vomit involuntarily, simply rinse your mouth and continue fasting. Deliberately swallowing vomit that comes back up would break the fast.
Using a Miswak or Toothbrush
Using a miswak or toothbrush is permissible as long as nothing is swallowed. The Prophet used the miswak while fasting and encouraged its use. Many prefer using a dry brush or miswak during fasting hours and saving toothpaste for after iftar.
Medical Injections (Non-nutritive)
Non-nutritive medical injections do not break the fast according to most contemporary scholars. This includes vaccinations, insulin, antibiotics, pain medications, and anesthesia given through intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous routes.
These don't enter through natural openings, don't reach the stomach, and don't provide nourishment. However, IV drips containing glucose or nutrients do break the fast as they substitute for food.
Applying Perfume or Oil
Applying perfume, cologne, oil, lotion, or scented products does not break the fast. The Prophet applied perfume while fasting. You can use deodorant, scented creams, and wear perfumed clothes freely.
Some scholars advise caution when inhaling heavy incense smoke directly, as particles may reach the stomach, though most consider it permissible. Regular perfumes and scented body products are completely fine with no disagreement.
Dust or Smoke (Unintentional Inhalation)
Accidentally inhaling dust, dirt, smoke, or airborne particles does not break the fast since this is unavoidable in daily life. However, deliberately inhaling cigarette smoke, vaping, or incense would break the fast. Accidental exposure to cooking smells is fine, though deliberately inhaling steam deeply is disliked by some scholars.
Who Must Fast in Ramadan?
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for Muslims who fulfill certain criteria.
All Adult Muslims (Puberty)
Fasting is obligatory for every adult muslim. While the Quran does not explicitly use the word "puberty" to define the start of fasting, it establishes that religious obligations begin when one reaches the age of legal and physical maturity (Bulugh).
Mentally and Physically Capable
Fasting is prescribed upon muslims who are fit mentally and physically. The Quran establishes a universal rule that God does not burden a person beyond what they can handle. This exempts those who lack the mental capacity to understand the intention (Niyyah) of the fast or those whose bodies cannot endure it due to old age or chronic illness.
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ
Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286)
For those who are physically unable to fast long-term (like the elderly), the Quran provides an alternative:
فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌۭ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍۢ ۖ
But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then (let them fast) an equal number of days (after Ramadan). For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person (for every day not fasted). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)
Muslims Who Are Not Traveling
Traveling is recognized as a legitimate hardship. The Quran explicitly permits travelers to break their fast and make it up later, once they are settled.
وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ
But whoever is ill or on a journey, then (let them fast) an equal number of days after Ramadan. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
Healthy Enough to Fast Safely
Similar to the traveler, the person suffering from a temporary illness is exempted to prevent further harm to their health. Islam prioritizes the preservation of life and well-being.
Who Are Exempted From Fasting
Islam is the religion of relaxation. Fasting is not obligatory for all muslims. There are some categories that are exempt from fasting.
The ill and the elderly
- The Temporarily Sick: If fasting would worsen an illness or delay recovery, a person is exempt. They must make up the missed days later (Qada).
- The Chronically Ill or Frail: Those with permanent health conditions (like severe diabetes) or the elderly who find fasting too physically taxing are exempt.
Travelers
Anyone traveling a significant distance (traditionally defined as roughly 48 miles or 80 km) is exempt, even if the journey is not particularly difficult.
Women in Specific Stages of Health
According to Hadith and consensus, women are exempt from fasting during specific times for their physical well-being:
- Menstruation and Post-natal bleeding: Fasting is not permitted during these times. These days must be made up later.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: If a woman fears for her own health or the health of her child, she is exempt. Depending on the school of thought, she either makes up the days later or pays Fidya.
Those with Mental Disabilities
Fasting requires a conscious Niyyah (intention). Therefore, individuals who are mentally incapacitated or have conditions that prevent them from understanding the obligation are exempt from fasting and are not required to make up the days.
Children Before Puberty
Children who haven't reached puberty are not obligated to fast, as they haven't reached the age of religious accountability in Islam. Puberty is marked by physical signs of maturity, typically occurring between ages 9 and 15, though it varies individually.
- Not held responsible for religious obligations before puberty
- Many families encourage gradual practice as children approach maturity
- Can start with half-day fasts or fasting on select days to build stamina
- Helps children learn spiritual significance in a positive and supportive way
- Fasting becomes obligatory once puberty is reached
The Rules of Missed Fasts
In Islamic law, the rules for missed fasts depend on whether the fast was missed for a valid reason or intentionally without an excuse. These obligations must be fulfilled after Ramadan has concluded.
Missing Fasts with a Valid Excuse (Qada)
If you miss a fast for a legitimate reason, you are generally required to make it up (Qadha) on a one-for-one basis later. Valid excuses include:
- Travel: Those traveling a significant distance (typically 80 km or 48 miles) are exempt.
- Illness: Temporary illness requires making up the days once recovered.
- Menstruation or Postpartum Bleeding: Women are forbidden from fasting during these states but must make up the missed days.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: If fasting poses a risk to the mother or child, the fast may be skipped.
Fidya (Compensation)
Fidya is a charitable payment made when a person is permanently unable to fast and cannot make up the days later.
- Eligible Persons: The elderly who are too frail to fast and individuals with chronic or permanent illnesses.
Deliberately Breaking a Fast (Kaffarah)
If a fast is broken intentionally without a valid excuse, such as eating, drinking, or sexual intercourse, the penalty is much stricter, known as Kaffarah.
- Penalty: Fasting for 60 consecutive days for every single day broken.
- Alternative: If physically unable to fast for 60 days, one must feed 60 needy people per missed fast.
What Should You Avoid During Ramadan
The essence of Ramadan is self-discipline and character refinement. You should strive to avoid:
- Negative speech: Refrain from swearing, lying, gossiping, or backbiting.
- Losing your temper: Avoid arguing, fighting, or succumbing to anger.
- Wasting time: Limit excessive social media use, binge-watching TV, or playing video games.
- Neglecting prayers: Fasting without performing the daily Salah is considered a major spiritual mistake
Conclusion
During Ramadan, healthy adult Muslims fast daily from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib), abstaining from food, drink (including water), smoking, and sexual activity to practice self-restraint and devotion. The fast is broken with iftar, while suhoor is consumed before dawn. It is a time for increased prayer, charity, and avoiding negative behaviors.
