Table of Contents
What Is Ramadan and Why Do Muslims Fast?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the most sacred month of the Muslim year. It is the month in which the Quran was first revealed — "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." (Quran 2:185)
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from Fajr (dawn) to Maghrib (sunset) every day — abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, and all sinful behaviour. This fast is not merely physical. It is a comprehensive spiritual training — teaching self-control, gratitude, empathy with those who go hungry, and devotion to Allah above the needs of the body.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim). Ramadan is one of the greatest opportunities for spiritual renewal that Allah has given to the Muslim ummah.
The Rules of Fasting Explained Clearly
Who Must Fast?
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory (Fard) for every Muslim who is: adult (post-puberty), sane, healthy, resident (not travelling), and — for women — not menstruating or experiencing post-natal bleeding.
What Breaks the Fast?
The fast is broken by: eating or drinking anything (including water), smoking, intentional vomiting, and sexual intercourse. Things that do NOT break the fast include: swallowing saliva, unintentional eating (forgetting you are fasting), rinsing the mouth without swallowing, injections (according to most scholars), and involuntary vomiting.
Making Up Missed Fasts (Qada)
Anyone who misses fasts due to illness, travel, or — for women — menstruation, must make them up before the following Ramadan. Those who are chronically ill or elderly and unable to fast may feed a poor person (fidyah) for each day missed instead.
Fasting in the UK: Managing Long Summer Fasts
When Ramadan falls in British summer months, fasts can extend to 18–20 hours — one of the longest fasting periods for Muslim communities anywhere in the world. UK Muslims have developed practical wisdom for managing this:
- Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) matters enormously — foods that release energy slowly (oats, whole grains, eggs) sustain you far longer than sugary or highly processed foods.
- Hydration is key — drink at least 8 glasses of water between Iftar and Suhoor. Avoid caffeine and very salty foods in the evening.
- Adjust sleep — sleeping briefly after Fajr (if possible) and napping in the afternoon helps manage energy levels through a long fast day.
- Reduce high-intensity exercise — light walking is fine, but intense workouts during long fasts can be harmful. Schedule exercise for after Iftar.
- Speak to your employer or school — UK workplaces increasingly accommodate Ramadan. Many schools allow prayer times and understanding around performance during fasting periods.
Introducing Children to Fasting in Ramadan
Children under the age of puberty are not obligated to fast, but introducing them gently to Ramadan is part of raising them in the Islamic tradition. The Companions (radiya Allahu 'anhum) used to encourage their children to fast and give them toys to distract them from hunger — this is a beloved Sunnah tradition.
- Ages 5–7: Let them "fast" for part of the day — perhaps until Dhuhr or Asr — with full celebration of their effort at Iftar.
- Ages 8–11: Many children at this age choose to fast full days, especially on weekends. Support this enthusiastically but watch their health carefully.
- Ages 12+: Most children approaching puberty are ready to fast full Ramadan. Make the first Ramadan as a full faster a special family milestone.
The most important thing is to make Ramadan a joyful, special family experience — not just a hardship to endure. Special Ramadan routines, Iftar gatherings, Taraweeh prayers together, and the excitement of Eid at the end all contribute to a child who loves Ramadan as one of the best months of the year.
The Spiritual Heart of Ramadan
Fasting from food is the visible part of Ramadan. The invisible part — the spiritual transformation — is the real purpose. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Many a fasting person receives nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst." (Ibn Majah). Ramadan is only truly Ramadan when it involves:
- Increased Quran recitation — the Prophet ﷺ would revise the entire Quran with Jibreel each Ramadan. Even reading a few pages daily with understanding is far better than rushing through without comprehension.
- Taraweeh prayers — the night prayers of Ramadan are a beloved Sunnah and a powerful communal experience.
- Giving Sadaqah — generosity is multiplied in Ramadan. Regular charity, even small amounts, is a pillar of the Ramadan spirit.
- Seeking Laylatul Qadr — the Night of Power in the last ten nights, better than a thousand months. Increase worship in the odd-numbered last ten nights especially.
- Tawbah (repentance) — Ramadan is the month of returning to Allah. Let this be the Ramadan where old habits are broken and new beginnings are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends entirely on the individual's condition and must be decided with a medical doctor AND an Islamic scholar. Some diabetics can fast safely with close monitoring; others cannot. Islam explicitly permits breaking the fast for genuine medical necessity — there is no religious merit in endangering one's health. Speak to your doctor before Ramadan and make an informed decision.
Travellers are permitted (not required) to break their fast and make up the day later. The scholars differ on what "travel" means in the modern era, but most agree that a journey of approximately 85km or more qualifies. If you choose to fast while travelling and it is not harmful to you, there is additional virtue in this.
Most contemporary scholars hold that using a medical inhaler does not break the fast because the substance entering the lungs is minimal and not nourishing. This is the view of the majority of modern Islamic bodies. Those with severe asthma should use their inhaler without hesitation — health takes priority, and the fast can be made up later.
Ramadan is an ideal time to establish or intensify Quran learning. The spiritual energy of the month motivates children naturally. Consider enrolling your child in intensive Quran sessions during Ramadan, establishing a daily family Quran reading time, and setting a Ramadan Quran goal together (e.g. completing 5 new surahs by Eid). Moddaker Academy offers flexible scheduling to support Ramadan learning goals.
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