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Fasting in the Month of Ramadan
Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence)
5 min read

Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

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The Obligation of Fasting

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an obligatory duty (Farḍ) based on evidence from:

  • The Qur’an
  • The Sunnah
  • The consensus (Ijmaʿ) of the Muslim Ummah

Whoever denies this obligation is no longer considered a Muslim.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain piety.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:183)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“O people! A great and blessed month has come to you. In it is a night better than a thousand months. Allah has made fasting in it obligatory and standing in prayer at night a Sunnah.”

Meaning and Principles of Fasting

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam.

It begins from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib).

During this time, one must abstain from:

  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Sexual relations

The obligation of fasting was prescribed in the second year after Hijrah.

Benefits of Fasting

Fasting has many benefits.

The most important is maintaining human balance.

Allah created humans between:

  • Angels (spiritual beings)
  • Animals (material and instinctive beings)

In other words, humans are composed of both soul and body.

Fasting prevents the body from dominating the soul and establishes balance between them.

Confirming the Beginning of Ramadan

Fasting begins when:

  1. Sha‘ban completes 30 days, or
  2. The crescent moon of Ramadan is sighted.

Normally, the moon must be seen with the naked eye, not through instruments.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When you see the crescent, fast. When you see it, end the fast. If it is cloudy, complete Sha‘ban as thirty days.”
(Bukhari)

Scientific Progress

Today, science allows precise lunar calculations.

However, Islam does not rely solely on calculations.

It requires actual sighting, though modern tools may help in preparation.

Testimony of Witnesses

Moon sighting can be confirmed by reliable witnesses.

At-Tirmidhi reported:

“A Bedouin testified that he saw the moon, so the Prophet ordered people to fast.”

According to the Shafi‘i School

If the crescent is sighted in one country, nearby regions within 144 km must follow.

Distant regions are not required to follow.

However, if a ruler announces fasting or Eid, all under his authority must follow.

Issues of ijtihad should not be disputed.

All four schools are valid.

Declaring others misguided over moon sighting is meaningless.

Conditions Making Fasting Obligatory (Wajib)

Fasting is obligatory when seven conditions are met:

  1. Islam
    Non-Muslims are not obligated. Apostates must make up missed fasts after returning.
  2. Puberty (Bulugh)
    Children are not obligated but should be trained.
  3. Sanity
    Insane, unconscious, or intoxicated persons are exempt.
  4. Ability
    Elderly unable to fast must pay fidyah.
  5. Freedom from Menstruation/Postnatal Bleeding
  6. Good Health
  7. Residence (Not Traveling)

Travelers over 144 km and sick persons are exempt but must make up later.

Conditions for Valid Fasting

Four conditions:

  1. Proper time
    Fasting is forbidden on:
    • Eid al-Fitr
    • Eid al-Adha
    • Days of Tashriq
    • Day of doubt
  2. Being Muslim
  3. Discernment (Tamyeez)
  4. Purity from menstruation and postnatal bleeding

Essential Pillars of Fasting

A) Intention (Niyyah)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Actions are judged by intentions.”

Conditions of intention:

  1. From the heart
  2. Specific
  3. At night (for obligatory fasts)
  4. Certain, not conditional

Example:

“I intend to fast the obligatory fast of Ramadan this year for Allah.”

Sunnah Fasts

May be intended before noon if nothing invalidating occurred.

Things That Break the Fast

There are eight:

  1. Anything entering the body through mouth, nose, ear, private parts, or woundsIncludes:
    • Suppositories
    • Enemas
    • Smoking
    Does NOT include:
    • Smells
    • Dust
    • Injections
    • Eye drops
    • Skin ointment
  2. Intentional vomiting
  3. Sexual intercourse
  4. Intentional ejaculation
  5. Loss of consciousness all day
  6. Menstruation or postnatal bleeding
  7. Childbirth or miscarriage
  8. Apostasy

Does Not Break the Fast

  • Eating forgetfully
  • Unintentional vomiting
  • Injections
  • Dust
  • Sleeping
  • Being forced

Makruh (Disliked) Actions

  1. Arguing
  2. Delaying iftar
  3. Chewing gum
  4. Tasting food
  5. Cupping
  6. Kissing
  7. Hugging
  8. Sauna
  9. Using miswak after noon
  10. Looking at temptation
  11. Strong perfumes
  12. Excessive emotional recitation
  13. Applying kohl

Excuses for Not Fasting

1. Travel

Over 144 km allows breaking the fast.

2. Illness

If fasting harms health.

3. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If harm is feared:

  • Make up fasts
  • If for child → pay fidyah

4. Old Age

Must pay fidyah.

Making Up Missed Fasts (Qada’)

Those who missed due to valid reasons must make them up later.

Delaying until next Ramadan requires fidyah in addition.

Expiation (Kaffarah)

For intentional intercourse in Ramadan:

  1. Free a slave
  2. If not, fast 60 consecutive days
  3. If not, feed 60 poor people

Hadith of Abu Hurayrah confirms this.

  1. Qada’ (Make up)
  2. Imsak (Refraining)
  3. Fidyah
  4. Kaffarah

Conditions for Kaffarah

  1. Must be male
  2. Adult
  3. Not forgetful
  4. Ramadan fast
  5. Due to intercourse
  6. Not sick/traveling
  7. Must have intended fast

Sunnah Practices in Fasting

  1. Eating suhoor late
  2. Hastening iftar

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Eat suhoor, for there is blessing in it.”

  1. Breaking fast with dates or water
  2. Avoiding pleasures
  3. Avoiding cupping
  4. Avoid gum and tasting
  5. Du‘a after iftar:

“Allahumma laka sumtu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu”

  1. Increase charity, dhikr, Qur’an
  2. Observe i‘tikaf in last ten nights