Ramadan and fasting

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. For all of it, adult Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. No food, no drink, no smoking, no sexual intimacy, during daylight hours. Just that, every day, for 29 or 30 days.

The month also holds the night the Quran began to be revealed, called Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree. The Quran says it is better than a thousand months (97:3).

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa (God-consciousness).”

— Quran 2:183

Who fasts

• Adult, healthy Muslims of sound mind.
• Those who are not travelling long distance.
• Those not temporarily unable due to menstruation, postnatal bleeding, pregnancy, nursing, or illness.
• If you cannot fast due to a permanent condition, you feed one poor person a day (fidya). If you cannot fast due to a temporary one, you make up the missed days later.

A day in Ramadan

• Suhoor — pre-dawn meal, before Fajr. Most people get up 30-40 minutes before Fajr to eat and drink water.
• Fajr prayer — then fasting begins.
• Daylight hours — no food, drink, smoking, intimacy. Normal work, exercise, social life continues.
• Maghrib — the fast breaks at sunset. Traditionally with dates and water, as the Prophet ﷺ did.
• Iftar — the evening meal.
• Isha and taraweeh — Isha prayer, then optional taraweeh (extra night prayers, often at the mosque, often reciting the whole Quran through the month).

What breaks the fast

• Any food or drink passing the throat on purpose.
• Smoking or vaping.
• Sexual intercourse. This one carries a significant expiation if done deliberately.
• Intentional vomiting.

Unintentional swallowing (like toothpaste residue or accidentally drinking), forgetfulness (you ate forgetting you were fasting), nosebleeds, and normal hygiene do not break the fast. The mainstream scholarly position is that if you forget and eat, Allah fed you; continue your day.

Your first Ramadan

It is hard. Not at first, day one feels like a long Tuesday. By day three or four the headaches, caffeine withdrawal, and hunger peak. By the middle of the month most people are in rhythm and the days feel lighter. By the last ten nights, which carry the Night of Decree, many Muslims are staying up half the night in worship and do not want the month to end.

Do not try to be a hero. Eat and sleep properly at night. Ask for accommodations at work where you can. Be with other Muslims for iftar as often as possible, your local mosque will almost certainly host community iftars. It is a month of mercy, not performance.