Ramadan Fasting Guide for Beginners: Essential Rulings Step by Step
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May Allah send peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.
Fasting is a great act of worship and one of the pillars of Islam. A Muslim needs to learn its rulings before Ramadan begins in order to worship Allah with clear knowledge. Fasting is not merely leaving food and drink. It is an act of worship that combines sincerity to Allah, abstaining from what invalidates the fast, guarding one’s limbs from sin, and striving in prayer, dhikr, Qur’an, and every other form of obedience.
This is a foundational guide for a beginner that explains what is needed to fast Ramadan day by day. Complex medical conditions, cases involving intercourse and kaffarah, uncertainty about menstruation or postpartum bleeding, and illnesses whose interaction with fasting is disputed by physicians require asking a trustworthy scholar with the full details and consulting a reliable doctor when needed.
Meaning and Virtue of Fasting
What Does Fasting Mean in the Shariah?
In the Shariah, fasting means worshipping Allah by abstaining from the things that invalidate the fast from true dawn until sunset, together with the intention.
It is worship of Allah, not merely a health habit or temporary abstinence from food. Allah prescribed it to cultivate taqwa. He says:
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ} [البقرة: 183].“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 183]
The Virtue of Fasting Ramadan
Whoever fasts Ramadan while believing in its obligation, seeking Allah’s reward, and remaining free from showing off receives a great reward. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ».“Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have his previous sins forgiven.” Agreed upon.
According to the majority of scholars, this refers to forgiveness of minor sins. Major sins require sincere repentance.
Obligation and the Start of Ramadan
The Ruling on Fasting Ramadan
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory upon every Muslim who meets the conditions of obligation, and it is one of Islam’s pillars. Allah says:
{شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ القُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الهُدَى وَالفُرْقَانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ اليُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ العُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا العِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ} [البقرة: 185].“Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for humanity, with clear proofs of guidance and the criterion. Whoever among you witnesses the month must fast it. Whoever is ill or on a journey must make up an equal number of days later. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period, glorify Allah for guiding you, and perhaps be grateful.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 185]
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«بُنِيَ الإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَالحَجِّ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ».“Islam is built upon five: testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakah, performing Hajj, and fasting Ramadan.” Agreed upon.
Whoever denies the obligation of fasting Ramadan after knowing that it is established and after the proof has been conveyed has disbelieved, because that person has rejected the text of the Qur’an and opposed the consensus of Muslims. This does not include someone to whom the ruling was unknown because the person recently entered Islam or due to a similar reason, until the person is taught and the proof is established. Whoever acknowledges its obligation but abandons it out of laziness has committed a grave sin and must repent to Allah and hasten to fulfill what Allah made obligatory. Judging a particular person to be a disbeliever has conditions and impediments and must be referred to firmly grounded scholars and Islamic judicial authority. Ordinary people must not undertake it based on a short article.
How Is the Beginning of Ramadan Established?
The beginning of Ramadan is established through a valid sighting of its crescent. If the crescent is not seen, Muslims complete thirty days of Sha‘ban. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، فَإِنْ غُبِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا عِدَّةَ شَعْبَانَ ثَلَاثِينَ».“Fast when you see it, and end the fast when you see it. If it is obscured from you, complete Sha‘ban as thirty days.” Agreed upon; this wording is from al-Bukhari.
A Muslim follows the announcement of the trustworthy Islamic authority to which Muslims refer in the country and does not independently declare Ramadan or Eid based on a rumor or an unreliable message.
Who Must Fast?
Conditions That Make Fasting Ramadan Obligatory
Fasting Ramadan must be performed by a Muslim who meets the following conditions:
1Islam: An act of worship is valid only from a Muslim.
2Puberty: Fasting is not obligatory upon a child before puberty, although the child may be trained gradually when able to fast without harm.
3Sanity: It is not obligatory upon someone whose reason is continuously absent.
4Ability: A person who is unable receives the ruling appropriate to that condition.
5Residence: A person undertaking a legally recognized journey may fast or break the fast and make up the days later.
6For a woman, being free from menstruation and postpartum bleeding: The fast of a menstruating or postpartum woman is not valid until she becomes pure.
A child must not be exhausted or harmed for the sake of training. The purpose is to teach and accustom the child according to age and ability, not to treat the child like an adult before fasting becomes obligatory.
Fasting Time and Intention
When Does the Fast Begin and End?
The fast begins at true dawn, when the Fajr prayer enters, and ends at sunset, when the Maghrib prayer enters.
Allah says:
{أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَائِكُمْ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَهُنَّ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنْفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنْكُمْ فَالآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي المَسَاجِدِ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ} [البقرة: 187].“It has been made lawful for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. Allah knew that you were betraying yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and pardoned you. Now you may be intimate with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you. Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread, then complete the fast until nightfall. Do not be intimate with them while you are in i‘tikaf in the mosques. These are Allah’s limits, so do not approach them. This is how Allah makes His signs clear to people, so that they may attain taqwa.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 187]
When Fajr enters, eating, drinking, and all other invalidators must stop. Once the sun has set, the fasting person may break the fast and does not wait for the Maghrib adhan to finish after sunset has been confirmed.
The Intention to Fast
Intention is a condition for the validity of an obligatory fast. Its place is the heart, and it is not prescribed to pronounce a formula such as, “I intend to fast tomorrow.” A person who knows inwardly that tomorrow will be fasted as a day of Ramadan has intended, and eating suhoor in preparation for fasting is evidence of that intention.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«مَنْ لَمْ يُبَيِّتِ الصِّيَامَ قَبْلَ الفَجْرِ، فَلَا صِيَامَ لَهُ».“Whoever does not form the intention to fast before dawn has no fast.” Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa’i, and authenticated by a group of scholars. This refers to obligatory fasting; voluntary fasting is broader in this regard.
The view selected here is that the intention should be made for each day of Ramadan before dawn because each day is an independent act of worship. No spoken wording, repeated precise thought, or engagement with waswas is needed.
Someone who sleeps knowing that the next day is Ramadan and resolved to fast has a valid intention, even if that person does not wake for suhoor.
Suhoor and Iftar
Suhoor
Suhoor is an emphasized Sunnah, not a condition for the validity of fasting. Whoever does not eat suhoor still has a valid fast but misses the virtue of the Sunnah and the help and blessing found in suhoor.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«تَسَحَّرُوا؛ فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَةً».“Eat suhoor, for there is blessing in suhoor.” Agreed upon.
The Sunnah is to delay suhoor until near true dawn. Eating and drinking remain permissible until true dawn becomes clear, without believing that one must stop a fixed period beforehand. Nevertheless, when the time is unclear, a Muslim exercises care so as not to eat deliberately after Fajr enters. No particular food is required; whatever is available is sufficient, even a drink of water. A Muslim chooses what supports worship and does not cause harm.
Iftar
Once sunset is confirmed, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast without delaying it as an act of devotion. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«لَا يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الفِطْرَ».“People will continue to be upon goodness so long as they hasten to break the fast.” Agreed upon.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to break his fast before Maghrib prayer with fresh dates. If there were none, he ate dried dates; and if there were none, he drank water. Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُفْطِرُ عَلَى رُطَبَاتٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ رُطَبَاتٌ فَعَلَى تَمَرَاتٍ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ حَسَا حَسَوَاتٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ».“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying. If there were no fresh dates, then with dried dates; and if there were none, he would take a few sips of water.” Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad, and graded hasan by scholars.
After breaking the fast, one says:
«ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ، وَابْتَلَّتِ العُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ».“The thirst has gone, the veins have been moistened, and the reward is assured, if Allah wills.” Reported by Abu Dawud and graded hasan by scholars.
Then Maghrib prayer is performed on time. The iftar table should not become a cause for delaying prayer, extravagance, or waste.
A Fasting Day Step by Step
Practical Order
From Nighttime Until Iftar
1Form the intention in the heart during the night to fast the following day.
2Eat suhoor near the end of the night when possible.
3Stop all invalidators when true dawn begins.
4Pray Fajr on time and guard all five daily prayers.
5Abstain from invalidators throughout the day and protect the tongue and limbs from what is forbidden.
6Engage in whatever is manageable of Qur’an, dhikr, du‘a, charity, and beneficial work.
7Hasten to break the fast once the sun sets.
8Pray Maghrib and do not let food distract from prayer.
9Praise Allah for completing the day and ask Him for acceptance and help through the rest of the month.
Essentials and Invalidators
The Two Essential Components of Fasting
Fasting rests upon two essential matters:
1Intention: Directing the act of worship to Allah.
2Abstaining from invalidators: From true dawn until sunset.
This does not mean that a fasting person’s character and manners are unimportant. Leaving sins is obligatory during fasting and at all other times. Their seriousness increases during a virtuous season, and they may erase the reward of fasting or reduce it greatly even when the fast is not ruled invalid in terms of having to make it up.
The Main Invalidators of Fasting
The following is a summary of the principal invalidators a beginner needs to know:
1Deliberately eating or drinking: This includes smoking and medicines taken by mouth.
2What takes the place of food and drink: Such as nourishing fluids and injections.
3Sexual intercourse during a Ramadan day: This is among the gravest invalidators and may require repentance, making up the day, and the severe kaffarah when its conditions are met.
4Voluntarily causing ejaculation: Through physical contact, masturbation, or a similar act.
5Deliberately inducing vomiting: Vomiting that overcomes a person does not invalidate the fast.
6The onset of menstrual or postpartum blood: Even shortly before sunset.
7Decisively ending the intention to fast: According to the majority of scholars, someone who firmly resolves during the day to terminate and reject continuation of the fast invalidates it because intention must continue throughout the worship. Mere hesitation or a passing thought does not invalidate the fast.
8Cupping according to the preferred view: According to the preferred view, it invalidates the fast of both the practitioner and the patient. This is the view of Imam Ahmad and a group of verifying scholars, based on the hadith, “The one who performs cupping and the one cupped have broken their fast,” reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah and authenticated by scholars. The majority of jurists hold that cupping does not invalidate the fast, so this is a recognized area of disagreement. According to the preferred view, a large blood draw that weakens the body, such as donating a substantial quantity, takes the same ruling. A small sample for testing does not invalidate the fast.
9Apostasy from Islam, Allah’s refuge is sought: Islam is a condition for valid worship. If apostasy occurs during a fast, that day’s fast becomes invalid, and the person must repent to Allah and return to Islam.
{وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الخَاسِرِينَ} [الزمر: 65].“It has certainly been revealed to you and to those before you: If you associate partners with Allah, your deeds will surely become void and you will certainly be among the losers.” [Surah al-Zumar: 65]
Ruling that a statement or act constitutes major disbelief is different from judging a particular person to be an apostate. Declaring a particular individual an apostate is a grave matter with conditions and impediments. A reader must not rush into it or build a judgment upon a general article; it must be referred to firmly grounded scholars and Islamic judicial authority.
Regarding the distinction between involuntary and induced vomiting, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«مَنْ ذَرَعَهُ القَيْءُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاءٌ، وَإِنِ اسْتَقَاءَ فَلْيَقْضِ».“Whoever is overcome by vomiting while fasting does not have to make up the day, but whoever deliberately induces vomiting must make it up.” Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah, and authenticated by scholars.
For invalidators that are voluntary acts, such as eating and drinking, deliberateness, remembrance, and choice are generally relevant. Mistake, coercion, and ignorance each have details that vary according to the case. A Muslim should not hastily declare the fast invalid or dismiss an obligation to make up the day or offer kaffarah without asking scholars.
Other issues are disputed, and medical procedures differ in ruling according to their nature and manner of use. See the detailed article What Breaks the Fast and What Does Not?
What Does Not Break the Fast
Things That Do Not Invalidate Fasting
The following do not invalidate the fast:
1Eating or drinking forgetfully.
2Vomiting that overcomes a person without being induced.
3A wet dream during sleep.
4Dawn reaching a person in a state of janabah due to intercourse during the night, while ghusl remains obligatory for prayer.
5Bathing or cooling oneself with water while avoiding swallowing it.
6Using the siwak.
7Swallowing ordinary saliva.
8Smelling fragrances and perfume without deliberately inhaling particles of smoke or incense.
9Non-nutritive therapeutic injections, according to the preferred view.
10A small amount of blood taken for testing, a nosebleed, or a wound that occurs involuntarily.
11Rinsing the mouth and nose in wudu without excess, while taking care not to swallow water.
Someone who eats or drinks forgetfully should stop immediately upon remembering and complete the fast. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«مَنْ نَسِيَ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ، فَأَكَلَ أَوْ شَرِبَ، فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ؛ فَإِنَّمَا أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَسَقَاهُ».“Whoever forgets while fasting and eats or drinks should complete the fast, for it was only Allah who fed and gave that person drink.” Agreed upon.
Those with Valid Excuses
The Sick
If fasting would harm a person, worsen an illness, or delay recovery based on the assessment of a trustworthy physician or clear experience, the person may break the fast and make up the days after recovery. A mild illness unaffected by fasting does not permit breaking the fast.
The Traveler
A traveler on a legally recognized journey may fast or break the fast. If fasting causes hardship, breaking it is better and may become obligatory when genuine harm is feared. Whoever breaks the fast makes up the days after Ramadan.
Permanent Inability
Someone permanently unable to fast with no reasonable expectation of recovery, such as an elderly person or a chronically ill patient whose recovery is not expected, may break the fast and feed one poor person for each day when able to provide food. No makeup is required while the inability remains permanent. If the person is also unable to feed anyone, nothing is due while that inability continues, because Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman can fast without harm or unusual hardship, she fasts. If she reasonably fears harm to herself or her child, she may break the fast and make up the days when able, according to the view selected here. The issue has further details and recognized disagreement in some circumstances.
Menstruation and Postpartum Bleeding
It is forbidden for a menstruating or postpartum woman to fast while bleeding, and her fast is invalid. After becoming pure, she makes up the missed fasting days after Ramadan but does not make up prayers missed during menstruation or postpartum bleeding.
Mu‘adhah, may Allah have mercy upon her, asked ‘Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, why a menstruating woman makes up fasting but not prayer. She replied:
«كَانَ يُصِيبُنَا ذَلِكَ، فَنُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّوْمِ، وَلَا نُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّلَاةِ».“That used to happen to us, and we were commanded to make up the fast but were not commanded to make up the prayer.” Agreed upon.
The purpose is not for the body to go hungry while the tongue and limbs remain engaged in sin. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالعَمَلَ بِهِ وَالجَهْلَ، فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ».“Whoever does not leave false speech, acting upon it, and ignorant behavior, Allah has no need for that person to leave food and drink.” Reported by al-Bukhari.
He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said:
«إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلَا يَرْفُثْ وَلَا يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ: إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ».“When one of you is fasting, let that person neither speak obscenely nor behave noisily. If someone insults or fights that person, let the fasting person say: I am fasting.” Agreed upon.
The fasting person therefore guards the tongue from lying, backbiting, tale-bearing, and insults; guards the eyes and ears from what is forbidden; performs prayers on time; returns wrongfully taken rights; and does not make fasting a reason for anger or bad character.
Prayer and Fasting
Prayer is the greatest practical pillar of Islam after the two testimonies. A Muslim may not fast while neglecting prayers or delaying them beyond their times because of sleep, work, or preparing food.
Someone who prays but has neglected or delayed some prayers should hasten to repent and guard them. Do not say, “Since I am falling short, I will not fast.” Rather, perform both fasting and prayer, repent from every shortcoming, and ask Allah for steadfastness.
Completely abandoning prayer is not a minor shortcoming. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«إِنَّ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ وَبَيْنَ الشِّرْكِ وَالكُفْرِ تَرْكَ الصَّلَاةِ».“Between a person and shirk and disbelief is abandoning prayer.” Reported by Muslim.
A group of scholars held that someone who completely abandons prayer commits major disbelief even while acknowledging its obligation; according to this view, that person’s fast is not valid until repentance and the establishment of prayer. The majority of jurists held that the person does not commit major disbelief so long as the obligation is acknowledged, but has committed one of the gravest major sins. According to both views, immediate repentance and establishment of the five prayers are required, and the disagreement may not be used as a pretext to abandon prayer. Ordinary people must not declare a particular person a disbeliever; this matter has conditions and impediments and is referred to scholars.
1Pronouncing the intention every night and believing the fast is invalid without doing so.
2Believing that missing suhoor invalidates the fast.
3Continuing to eat after Fajr has entered because the adhan has not finished.
4Delaying iftar after confirmed sunset as an act of devotion.
5Delaying Maghrib prayer because of the iftar table.
6Sleeping through most of the day while neglecting prayers and duties.
7Severe extravagance in food and drink.
8Assuming every medicine or medical procedure invalidates the fast without asking about its true nature.
9Treating lying and backbiting as minor matters so long as no food or drink was consumed.
10Forcing a sick or pregnant person to fast despite a recognized risk of harm.
11Breaking the fast merely because of ordinary tiredness, work, or study without a valid excuse.
12Relying upon a short clip for a complex personal case instead of asking scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ramadan Fasting
Is the fast valid without suhoor?
Yes. Suhoor is a blessed Sunnah, not a condition for the validity of fasting. Someone who sleeps and does not wake for suhoor completes the fast and does not break it for that reason.
Must the intention to fast be spoken?
No. Intention is an act of the heart, and pronouncing it is not prescribed. It is sufficient to know that you will fast tomorrow as a day of Ramadan.
What should I do if Fajr enters while food is in my mouth?
Once the entrance of Fajr is confirmed, you must expel what is in your mouth and stop eating and drinking. You may not deliberately swallow it after the time has entered.
Does eating or drinking forgetfully invalidate the fast?
No. Stop when you remember and complete the fast. You do not have to make up the day because you ate or drank forgetfully.
Is the fast valid if dawn arrives while I am in a state of janabah?
Yes, when the cause of janabah occurred during the night. Perform ghusl for Fajr prayer, and the fast is valid. It is not permissible to deliberately delay ghusl until the prayer time ends.
‘Aishah and Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported:
«أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يُدْرِكُهُ الفَجْرُ وَهُوَ جُنُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلُ وَيَصُومُ».“Dawn would reach the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, while he was in a state of janabah from his family; then he would perform ghusl and fast.” Agreed upon.
May a fasting person use siwak, a toothbrush, and toothpaste?
Using siwak is permissible. A toothbrush and toothpaste may also be used when the fasting person can avoid swallowing anything from them. Using toothpaste at night is preferable for someone who fears it may reach the throat.
Does sleeping through most of the day invalidate the fast?
It does not invalidate the fast, but sleep must not cause prayers, rights, or duties to be neglected. It is better for a Muslim to fill the day with as much worship and beneficial work as possible.
May someone break the fast because of severe fatigue?
Ordinary fatigue does not permit breaking the fast. A Muslim must begin the day fasting and take reasonable means to reduce hardship. If genuine harm arises during the day, or death or severe illness is feared, the person may break the fast to the extent needed and then make up the day. Recurring cases should be referred to a trustworthy scholar and a reliable physician.
What if menstrual blood begins shortly before Maghrib?
The fast of that day becomes invalid and must be made up, even if the bleeding begins only shortly before sunset. If the blood does not appear until after sunset, the fast is valid.
Is a woman’s fast valid if she becomes pure before dawn but performs ghusl afterward?
Yes. If purity is confirmed before Fajr and she intends to fast, her fast is valid even if ghusl occurs after Fajr begins. She should hasten to perform ghusl so that she can pray Fajr on time.
Do backbiting, lying, and forbidden looking invalidate the fast?
Sins such as backbiting, lying, and forbidden looking are unlawful, diminish the reward of fasting, and may erase its reward. However, by themselves they do not ordinarily require making up the fast. The duty is to repent from them and protect the fast, not to treat them lightly.
What should I do if I deliberately broke a Ramadan fast?
You must repent sincerely, feel remorse, resolve not to return to the sin, and make up that day according to the view selected here. If the fast was broken through intercourse during a Ramadan day, the severe kaffarah may be required. A trustworthy scholar must be asked with the details of the case.
What should I do if I am unsure whether the sun has set?
Do not break the fast until sunset is certain or strongly likely based upon a trustworthy adhan or accurate timetable, because the basic presumption is that daytime continues.
A Practical Beginner’s Plan
Ten Steps
How to Prepare for a Sound Day of Fasting
1Learn the correct Fajr and Maghrib times in your location.
2Form the intention to fast in your heart during the night.
3Eat suhoor without extravagance and drink what will help you.
4Guard all five prayers at their proper times.
5Set a daily portion of Qur’an and dhikr.
6Avoid gatherings and content that lead to backbiting or forbidden looking.
7Hasten to break the fast at sunset and do not delay Maghrib.
8If you make a mistake, repent to Allah; do not despair or abandon the rest of your obedience.
9Ask a trustworthy scholar about your personal situation before breaking the fast or paying fidyah.
10Frequently ask Allah to help you fast and accept it from you.
For more recurring issues, see Islamic Questions and Answers About Fasting. Personal cases whose rulings change with their details should be referred to a trustworthy scholar.
Conclusion
Outward Validity and Inward Righteousness
A sound fast combines outward validity with inward righteousness: a sincere intention, abstaining from invalidators from Fajr until Maghrib, guarding prayer, leaving sins, and turning to Allah in obedience.
A beginner should neither impose restrictions Allah did not prescribe nor be careless about the limits of fasting. Learn the foundational rulings, act upon what you learn, ask scholars about what is unclear, and hope for Allah’s mercy and acceptance.
