What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset as an act of worship and obedience to Allah. It is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. [Qur’an 2:185]
Who must fast in Ramadan?
Fasting is obligatory for every adult, sane, healthy Muslim. Exemptions are given to children, the sick, travelers, menstruating women or women in Nifaas (postpartum bleeding), pregnant or breastfeeding women if fasting harms them.
What breaks the fast?
Eating, drinking, intentional vomiting, sexual intercourse, and deliberate ejaculation break the fast. Forgetfulness in eating or drinking does not. [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1933]
What does not break the fast?
Accidental eating or drinking, brushing teeth (without swallowing), inhaling dust unintentionally, and taking a shower do not break the fast.
What is Suḥūr?
Suḥūr is the pre-dawn meal. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Eat suḥūr, for in suḥūr there is blessing.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1923]
What is Iftār?
Iftār is the meal at sunset to break the fast. The Sunnah is to break it immediately with fresh dates, or dry dates, or water. [Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 2356]
What if someone misses a fast?
If missed due to illness or travel, the fast must be made up later. If permanently unable to fast, feeding a poor person for each missed day is required. [Qur’an 2:184]
Can children fast?
Children are not obliged, but parents should encourage them gradually to prepare them for adulthood.
What are Tarāwīḥ prayers?
Tarāwīḥ are night prayers performed in Ramadan after ‘Ishā’. They are Sunnah Mu’akkadah (highly recommended). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 2008]
Is zakāt connected to Ramadan?
Zakat al-Māl is given anytime of the year once due. Zakat al-Fitr, however, is obligatory before Eid prayer.
What is Zakat al-Fitr?
A charity due at sunset on the last day of Ramadan and before the Eid prayer from every Muslim — male or female, adult or child — who can afford it, given to the poor.
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ enjoined Zakāt al-Fiṭr as a purification for the fasting person from idle speech and obscenities, and as food for the poor.” [Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 1609 | Hasan]
The Prophet ﷺ made it obligatory to give one ṣāʿ (a prophetic measure ≈ 2.5–3 kg) of staple food of the land, such as dates, barley, rice, wheat, or similar.
The head of the household pays on behalf of himself and all dependents (including children).
It can be given a day or two earlier to ensure it reaches the needy in time.
Can one fast while traveling?
Yes, but the traveler has a concession to break the fast if it causes hardship, and make it up later. [Qur’an 2:185]
Can medicine be taken while fasting?
Pills and injections that nourish break the fast. Non-nutritive injections or eye drops generally do not, but scholars differ. Nasal and oral medicines usually break the fast.
Is fasting only about food and drink?
No. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of him leaving his food and drink.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1903]
Can I use perfume or deodorant while fasting?
Yes, it is allowed to use perfume, deodorant, or soap while fasting as long as nothing is ingested.
Does swallowing saliva break the fast?
No, swallowing one’s own saliva is natural and does not break the fast.
Can I rinse my mouth or take a shower while fasting?
Yes, rinsing the mouth, bathing, or swimming does not break the fast as long as you do not swallow water intentionally.
What if Fajr enters while I’m still eating Suḥūr?
If one is eating and hears the adhān of Fajr, they must stop immediately. Continuing to eat after Fajr time invalidates the fast.
Is it Sunnah to delay Suḥūr?
Yes, the Prophet ﷺ said: “The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast and delay the suḥūr.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1957]
Can women attend Tarāwīḥ in the mosque?
Yes, women are allowed to attend Tarāwīḥ in the masjid if safe, but it is also valid and more rewarding to pray at home.
Do I need to make intention (niyyah) for fasting every night?
Yes, intention must be made before Fajr each day. It can be in the heart without verbalizing.
What if someone dies before making up missed fasts?
Their guardian may fast on their behalf or feed a poor person for each missed day. [Sahih Muslim, 1147]
What should I do if I oversleep and miss Suḥūr?
Your fast is still valid. Suḥūr is Sunnah and brings blessing, but not having it does not nullify fasting.
Can I donate blood while fasting?
It is better to avoid unless necessary. Large blood loss may weaken the body and is discouraged, though it does not strictly break the fast.
Is fasting accepted if I don’t pray?
Leaving prayer is a major sin. Fasting without prayer is incomplete, though the fast itself is technically valid. Prayer and fasting should go hand in hand.
What if Ramadan coincides with exams or work stress?
Fasting is still obligatory. Plan sleep, meals, and study/work schedules around fasting hours for balance.
Is vomiting allowed while fasting?
Unintentional vomiting does not break the fast. Deliberate vomiting does.
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not have to make up the fast, but whoever vomits deliberately must make it up."[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 2380]
What is the best duʿā’ at ifṭār?
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is assured, if Allah wills.” [Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 2357 | Hasan]
What if Ramadan starts while I still have missed fasts from the previous year?
If one delayed making up last year’s fasts without excuse, they must repent, make up the days after Ramadan, and also feed a poor person per day according to many scholars.
Do injections break the fast?
Nutritive injections (glucose, vitamins) break the fast. Non-nutritive injections (insulin, some medications) generally do not.
What is Iʿtikāf and when is it observed?
Iʿtikāf is seclusion in the masjid with the intention of worship, usually observed in the last ten nights of Ramadan to seek Laylat al-Qadr. [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 2025]
Is smoking allowed while fasting?
No. Smoking breaks the fast as it introduces substances into the body and is harmful.
Can I chew gum while fasting?
Chewing gum that dissolves or has flavor breaks the fast. Tasteless gum is avoided as it may still produce residue.
Can I taste food while cooking?
It is disliked but permissible if necessary, provided nothing is swallowed.
Do sexual thoughts break the fast?
No, but indulging in them is sinful. If they lead to ejaculation, the fast is broken.
Is it allowed to delay ghusl (ritual bath) until after Fajr?
Yes, if someone is in a state of major impurity at Fajr, their fast is still valid as long as ghusl is performed before prayer time.
What is the ruling on kissing one’s spouse while fasting?
Kissing is allowed if one can control desires. If it leads to arousal and ejaculation, it breaks the fast.
Can one make up fasts of Ramadan with voluntary fasts like Mondays and Thursdays?
Yes, one can use those days to make up obligatory fasts, but intention must be specifically for Ramadan.
Is fasting six days of Shawwāl related to Ramadan?
Yes, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six from Shawwāl, it is as if he fasted the whole year.” [Sahih Muslim, 1164]
What if I hear the adhān of Maghrib but the sun hasn’t set yet?
If adhān is called mistakenly early, the fast must be made up. One should be cautious and rely on actual sunset.
Can charity replace fasting?
No. Only those unable due to chronic illness or old age may give fidyah instead of fasting.
What about fasting in very long or very short days (like in Europe)?
Scholars say one follows local timings, even if long, or follows the nearest country with normal timings if days are extreme.
Is it Sunnah to pray Qiyām in congregation?
Yes, Tarāwīḥ is a form of Qiyām prayed in congregation. The Prophet ﷺ prayed it some nights with the companions, then continued it at home fearing it would be made obligatory.
Can women lead Tarāwīḥ for other women?
Yes, a woman may lead other women in Tarāwīḥ, standing in the same row rather than ahead.
What if a child reaches puberty during Ramadan?
From the day they become mature (puberty signs or 15 lunar years), fasting becomes obligatory.
Is Tarāwīḥ 8 rakʿāt or 20 rakʿāt?
Both are valid. The Prophet ﷺ prayed 11 rakʿāt including Witr [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1147], but the Companions and later scholars prayed 20.
Is Eid prayer obligatory?
Eid al-Fiṭr prayer is Sunnah Mu’akkadah according to many scholars, and Wājib according to others.
Can I fast on Eid?
No, fasting on Eid days is strictly prohibited. [Sahih Muslim, 1137]
Can I fast voluntarily before making up missed Ramadan fasts?
It is better to make up obligatory fasts first. Some scholars permit voluntary fasts if make-up will still be completed in time.
Can I recite Qur’an without wudū’?
Yes, reciting from memory is allowed without wudū’. Touching the physical mushaf requires wudū’ according to most scholars.
Do I need to finish the Qur’an in Ramadan?
It is not obligatory, but highly recommended. The Prophet ﷺ used to review the Qur’an with Jibrīl every Ramadan. [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 4997]
Can women recite Qur’an while menstruating?
Yes, without touching the mushaf directly. Digital copies or memory recitation are permitted by many scholars.
What is the best deed in Ramadan after fasting?
Qur’an recitation, night prayers, charity, and dhikr. The Prophet ﷺ was most generous in Ramadan. [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 3554]
