Ramadan Fasting Rules & Regulations
Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are physically and mentally capable. Understanding the rules and regulations helps ensure your fast is valid and spiritually rewarding.
Who Must Fast?
Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory (fard) for Muslims who meet the following conditions:
- ✓Muslim: Fasting is obligatory only for Muslims
- ✓Reached Puberty: Children before puberty are not obligated but encouraged to practice
- ✓Sane and Mentally Capable: Those with mental illness that prevents understanding are exempt
- ✓Physically Able: Must be in good health and able to fast safely
- ✓Resident (Not Traveling): Travelers have the option to postpone fasting
- ✓Free from Temporary Conditions: Not menstruating, pregnant, or nursing (if harmful)
Who is Exempt from Fasting?
Temporary Exemptions (Must Make Up Later)
1. Menstruating Women
Women during their menstrual period must not fast and should make up the missed days after Ramadan. This is a clear Islamic ruling for their health and well-being.
2. Women in Postpartum Bleeding (Nifas)
Women experiencing postpartum bleeding must not fast and should make up missed days later, similar to menstruation.
3. Travelers
Those on journeys of significant distance may break their fast and make it up later. The journey should be at least 48 miles (77 km) according to most scholars. However, if traveling is easy and comfortable, fasting is recommended.
4. Temporarily Ill
Those with temporary illnesses that make fasting harmful or significantly difficult may postpone fasting. Consult a knowledgeable physician. Must make up missed days when recovered.
Permanent Exemptions (Fidya Required)
1. Chronically Ill
Those with chronic conditions that make fasting permanently harmful must pay Fidya (feeding a poor person) for each missed day instead of fasting.
Examples: Diabetes, kidney disease, heart conditions (consult doctor and scholar)
2. Elderly and Frail
Elderly people who cannot physically endure fasting due to weakness or health concerns should pay Fidya instead.
3. Pregnant and Nursing Women (If Harmful)
If fasting poses serious risk to the mother or baby, they may break the fast. Scholars differ on whether they must make up days later or pay Fidya. Consult a knowledgeable scholar.
Fidya Amount: Feed one poor person per missed day. The amount is equivalent to approximately 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) of staple food (wheat, rice, dates) or its monetary value.
What Breaks the Fast?
The following actions invalidate the fast if done intentionally during fasting hours:
1. Eating or Drinking
Consuming any food or drink intentionally breaks the fast. If done accidentally, the fast remains valid.
2. Intimate Relations
Sexual intercourse during fasting hours breaks the fast and requires major expiation (Kaffara).
3. Intentional Vomiting
Deliberately inducing vomiting breaks the fast. Natural vomiting does not.
4. Menstruation or Postpartum Bleeding
Even if it begins moments before sunset, the fast is invalid and must be made up.
5. Smoking
Smoking cigarettes, vaping, or any form of tobacco use breaks the fast.
6. Intentional Ejaculation
Deliberately causing ejaculation through any means breaks the fast.
What Does NOT Break the Fast?
- ✓Swallowing saliva: Natural saliva does not break the fast
- ✓Brushing teeth: Allowed, but avoid swallowing toothpaste or water
- ✓Using miswak or siwak: Recommended for oral hygiene
- ✓Rinsing mouth or nose: During ablution, but do not exaggerate
- ✓Applying perfume or cologne: Allowed and recommended
- ✓Taking a shower or bath: Allowed for cleanliness or cooling off
- ✓Injections (non-nutritive): Medical injections that are not for nutrition
- ✓Eye drops or ear drops: According to many scholars
- ✓Tasting food: Without swallowing (e.g., when cooking)
- ✓Unintentional eating or drinking: If done by mistake, fast remains valid
- ✓Wet dreams: Involuntary ejaculation during sleep does not break fast
- ✓Blood tests: Drawing blood for medical tests
- ✓Kissing spouse: If it does not lead to ejaculation
The Intention (Niyyah)
The intention to fast is required for each day of Ramadan. The intention should be made before Fajr (dawn) prayer time. It does not need to be spoken aloud; a sincere intention in the heart is sufficient.
When to make intention: Any time during the night before Fajr. Many scholars say the intention can be made once for the entire month, but renewing it daily is recommended.
Making Up Missed Fasts (Qada)
If you miss fasts due to valid reasons (illness, travel, menstruation), you must make them up before the next Ramadan:
- Can be done any time before next Ramadan
- Does not need to be consecutive days
- Should be completed as soon as reasonably possible
- If unable to make up before next Ramadan, must pay Fidya in addition to making up later
Expiation for Breaking Fast (Kaffara)
Kaffara is required only for intentionally breaking the fast through sexual intercourse during fasting hours. The expiation is:
- Free a slave (not applicable today), OR
- Fast for 60 consecutive days, OR
- Feed 60 poor people
These options are in order of preference. If unable to do the first, move to the second, and so on.
Special Rulings
Blood Donation
Scholars differ. Some say it breaks the fast if it causes significant weakness, others say it does not. Best to avoid during fasting hours if possible.
Inhalers for Asthma
Scholars differ. Many contemporary scholars permit using inhalers during fasting as they are necessary for health and do not provide nutrition.
IV Fluids and Nutritional Injections
Nutritional IV fluids break the fast as they provide nourishment. Non-nutritional medical IVs are subject to scholarly difference.
Dental Work
Allowed if nothing is swallowed. Anesthesia injections do not break the fast according to most scholars.
Etiquette of Fasting
- • Eat Sehri: The pre-dawn meal is blessed and recommended
- • Delay Sehri: Eat as close to Fajr time as possible
- • Hasten Iftar: Break fast immediately at sunset
- • Break with dates and water: Following the Sunnah
- • Make dua at Iftar: Supplications at breaking fast are accepted
- • Increase worship: Quran reading, prayers, charity
- • Control anger: Avoid arguments and negative behavior
- • Guard your tongue: Avoid lying, backbiting, and foul language
- • Be generous: Feed others and give charity
Important Reminders
- ✓ When in doubt about a ruling, consult a knowledgeable Islamic scholar
- ✓ Different schools of thought may have slight variations in rulings
- ✓ Health and safety take precedence - do not harm yourself
- ✓ If you break a fast unintentionally, continue fasting the rest of the day
- ✓ Keep track of missed fasts to make them up properly
- ✓ Fasting is not just physical - focus on spiritual growth