How to Fast in Ramadan: A Beginner's Guide

Allah made fasting in Ramadan required for Muslims who are able. Quran 2:183 says that fasting was written for the believers, as it was for people before them, so that they may gain taqwa (God-consciousness).

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Quran 2:185 says it is the month in which the Quran was sent down as guidance. Quran 2:183-187 gives the main rules of the fast, including the permission to eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes clear from the black thread of night, and then to complete the fast until night.

The intention (niyyah) is a decision of the heart. You do not need special words, because actions are judged by their intentions (Sahih al-Bukhari 1). Scholars differ on when it must be made. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools say it must be made in the night, before dawn, for each day of the fast. The Maliki school accepts one intention at the start of Ramadan, to be renewed if the fast is interrupted, for example by travel or illness. The Hanafi school allows the intention for Ramadan to be made until before midday. The safe way is to make it each night before dawn.

Suhoor is the meal before dawn. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1923; Sahih Muslim 1095). So try not to skip it, even if it is small.

Iftar is the meal that ends the fast at sunset. The Prophet ﷺ said that people will remain in good as long as they hurry to break the fast (Sahih al-Bukhari 1957). Many Muslims break the fast with fresh dates, or dates, or sips of water, as he did before praying (Sunan Abi Dawud 2356). Then they pray Maghrib and eat a normal meal.

Check your local prayer times for the start and end of the fast, because they change by place and by day.

The fast is more than food and drink. During the fast hours you avoid:

• Eating and drinking.
• Marital relations (they are allowed at night, as Quran 2:187 says).
• Bad speech, lying, arguing and anger. The Prophet ﷺ taught that if a person does not give up false speech and acting on it, Allah has no need of that person giving up food and drink (Sahih al-Bukhari 1903).

If someone insults you or wants to fight, you can say, "I am fasting" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1894; Sahih Muslim 1151). Keep your fast calm and kind.

Islam gives ease to people who cannot fast. Quran 2:184-185 mentions the sick and the traveller, who may fast the same number of days later. When Hamzah al-Aslami asked the Prophet ﷺ about fasting on a journey, he said, "Fast if you wish, and break the fast if you wish" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1943).

These groups are excused:

• A person who is ill, if fasting would cause real harm or delay recovery.
• A traveller on a real journey. The schools differ on the distance, as they do for shortening the prayer.
• A woman during menstruation or post-natal bleeding. She must not fast and makes up the days later (Sahih al-Bukhari 1951; Sahih Muslim 335).
• A pregnant or nursing woman, if she fears harm to herself or her child (Jami at-Tirmidhi 715). Scholars differ on whether she only makes up the days or also gives fidya.
• An elderly person who cannot fast, and a person with a long-term illness. They usually give fidya (feeding a poor person for each missed day) instead (Quran 2:184; Sahih al-Bukhari 4505). The Maliki school says that fidya is only recommended for them.

Most others make up the missed days after Ramadan. The details can depend on your situation, so ask a qualified local scholar if you are unsure.

• Eat a balanced suhoor and drink water between iftar and dawn.
• Sleep enough, and keep your daily plan simple.
• Read some Quran each day and pray the night prayer (taraweeh) if you can. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever stands in prayer in Ramadan with faith and hope for reward will have their past sins forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari 37).
• Give charity, even in small amounts. The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was most generous in Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari 6).
• Make dua (personal prayer) often. Allah placed the verse about dua among the verses of fasting: "I am near. I answer the call of the one who calls on Me when he calls" (Quran 2:186).
• Be patient with yourself. If this is your first Ramadan, build your routine step by step.

Remember that the goal is closeness to Allah, not only hunger.