Fasting & Ramadan
How to Fast in Ramadan — Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know about fasting in Ramadan: the intention, what breaks the fast, suhoor, iftar, and spiritual practices.
Total Time
Dawn to sunset daily for 29–30 days
Total Steps
8 steps
Read Time
7 min read
Fasting the month of Ramadan (Sawm) is the fourth pillar of Islam. From dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib), the fasting Muslim abstains from food, drink, and marital relations — training the soul in self-restraint, God-consciousness, and gratitude.
Allah says: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (attain taqwa)." (Quran 2:183). The reward is immense: the Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Sahih al-Bukhari 38).
Fasting is obligatory upon every Muslim who is adult, sane, healthy, and resident (not travelling). Islam grants concessions to others:
The sick and travellers may break the fast and make up the missed days later (Quran 2:185).
Menstruating and post-natal women do not fast and make up the days afterward.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women who fear for themselves or the child may break the fast (and make up the days, with details that differ by madhab).
The chronically ill and the very elderly who cannot fast feed a needy person for each missed day (fidyah).
The fast is broken by deliberately eating, drinking, or marital relations during fasting hours. It is not broken by eating or drinking out of genuine forgetfulness — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever forgets while fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it was Allah who fed him and gave him drink" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933). Unintentional acts like swallowing saliva, rinsing the mouth, or tasting food without swallowing do not break the fast.
Treating it as only hunger — the Prophet ﷺ warned: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up food and drink" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1903). Guard the tongue, eyes, and temper.
Skipping suhoor — the pre-dawn meal is a blessing the Prophet ﷺ urged us never to abandon, even with a sip of water (Sahih al-Bukhari 1923).
Overeating at iftar — defeats the purpose and saps energy for night worship.
Neglecting the last ten nights — the season's greatest treasure, Laylat al-Qadr, lies within them.
Stop eating at the start of the Fajr adhan (true dawn) and break the fast at the Maghrib adhan (sunset). The Prophet ﷺ encouraged hastening to break the fast and delaying suhoor until close to dawn.
Using a miswak is Sunnah and does not break the fast. Toothpaste is permissible if care is taken not to swallow it.
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Introduction to the Quran
Allah says: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (attain taqwa)." (Quran 2:183). The reward is immense: the Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Sahih al-Bukhari 38).
Who Must Fast — and Who Is Excused
Fasting is obligatory upon every Muslim who is adult, sane, healthy, and resident (not travelling). Islam grants concessions to others:
What Breaks the Fast — and What Does Not
The fast is broken by deliberately eating, drinking, or marital relations during fasting hours. It is not broken by eating or drinking out of genuine forgetfulness — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever forgets while fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it was Allah who fed him and gave him drink" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933). Unintentional acts like swallowing saliva, rinsing the mouth, or tasting food without swallowing do not break the fast.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly do I stop and start eating?
Stop eating at the start of the Fajr adhan (true dawn) and break the fast at the Maghrib adhan (sunset). The Prophet ﷺ encouraged hastening to break the fast and delaying suhoor until close to dawn.
Does using a miswak or toothbrush break the fast?
Using a miswak is Sunnah and does not break the fast. Toothpaste is permissible if care is taken not to swallow it.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Make the Intention (Niyyah) Before Fajr
Intend to fast before the Fajr adhan. For the Maliki madhab, the niyyah must be made the night before. For Hanafi/Shafi'i/Hanbali, it can be made any time before solar noon. The intention is in the heart — not spoken aloud.
2
Eat Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal)
Eat suhoor before the Fajr adhan. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing." Stop eating when the adhan is called.
3
Abstain from All Fast-Breaking Acts
From Fajr to Maghrib, avoid: eating, drinking (including water), sexual intercourse. Also avoid smoking, deliberate vomiting, and injections of nutrients. Accidental eating/drinking (forgetting you're fasting) does not break the fast.
4
Increase Worship and Quran
Ramadan is primarily spiritual. Increase: Quran recitation (aim to complete the Quran), dhikr, salawat on the Prophet ﷺ, voluntary prayers (especially Tarawih), and charity (sadaqah).
5
Pray Tarawih at Night
Tarawih is Sunnah — 8 or 20 rak'at after Isha in the masjid or at home. The Prophet ﷺ prayed at least some Tarawih in congregation during Ramadan.
6
Break the Fast (Iftar) at Maghrib
Break your fast at the Maghrib adhan with dates and water: "Dhahaba al-dhamaa' wa abtalat al-awraq wa thabata al-ajru insha'Allah" (Thirst has gone, veins are moistened, and the reward is established, Allah willing). Then pray Maghrib before eating a full meal.
7
Observe Laylat al-Qadr in Last 10 Nights
The Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) is in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, most likely on the 27th night. Increase worship especially on odd-numbered nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th). The du'a: "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibb al-'afwa fa'fu 'anni" (O Allah, You are All-Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me).
8
Make Up Missed Fasts After Ramadan
If you miss fasts due to illness, travel, or other valid reasons, you must make them up (qada) before the next Ramadan.
Authentic Guidance
This guide is prepared based on authentic Islamic sources. We ensure that all steps are consistent with established scholarly consensus.