How Do I Fast Ramadan?
Question
What does a normal day of Ramadan fasting look like?
Short answer
From true dawn until sunset, the fasting Muslim abstains from food, drink and sexual relations as worship of Allah, while maintaining the other obligations and avoiding sin.
Understand the issue
- Ramadan fasting is one of Islam’s Five Pillars and is connected in the Qur’an with Taqwa.
- Suhur is a blessed pre-dawn meal, the fast begins at true dawn, and the fast is broken when sunset arrives.
Islamic guidance
- Learn your local Fajr and Maghrib times.
- Plan Suhur and Iftar.
- Identify health or medication concerns before Ramadan, not after a problem occurs.
What to do now
- If you are ill, travelling, menstruating, pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly, or otherwise unable, the ruling may differ.
What may depend on your situation
- Do not reduce Ramadan to hunger or dieting.
- Do not assume every person must fast under every circumstance; Allah legislated concessions.