Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most loved month of the year for Muslims: a month of fasting, prayer, the Qur’an, generosity and time together. Fasting in it is the fourth pillar of Islam. Because the Islamic calendar follows the moon, Ramadan begins about eleven days earlier each year, and lasts 29 or 30 days, from one new moon to the next.
“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint”
The reward is immense. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that whoever fasts Ramadan with faith, hoping for Allah’s (﷾) reward, has all their past sins forgiven. Sahih al-Bukhari 38
Who fasts
Every adult Muslim who is healthy and at home fasts. Islam makes it easy for everyone else:
- If you are ill or travelling, you may leave the fast and make up the days later.
- Women do not fast during menstruation or the bleeding after childbirth, and make those days up later.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women who fear for themselves or the baby may leave the fast, and make the days up later. The schools of Islamic law differ on whether they also feed a poor person for each day when the fear is only for the baby.
- Those who cannot fast at all, such as the elderly or the chronically ill, feed a poor person for each day instead.
- Children are not required to fast, though many love to try a few hours or days.
“Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties.”
A day in Ramadan
Suhurthe pre-dawn meal
Wake before dawn and eat and drink. It is a blessed meal, so do not skip it: water, and food that keeps you going through the day, such as oats, eggs, fruit and bread.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: take suhur, for there is blessing in it. Sahih al-Bukhari 1923
Niyyahintention
Intend in your heart to fast for the sake of Allah (﷾). Getting up for suhur is itself a sign of it; nothing needs to be said aloud.
Sawmthe fast
From the first light of dawn until sunset, no food, drink or marital relations. It is also a time to guard your tongue, be patient and do extra good.
Qur’an 2:187 “eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears”
Iftarbreaking the fast
At sunset, break the fast straight away. The Prophet (ﷺ) broke his fast with fresh dates, or dry dates, or a few sips of water.
Taraweehthe night prayers of Ramadan
After Isha, mosques pray extra prayers each night of Ramadan, often reciting the whole Qur'an over the month. Join when you can; it is one of the most beautiful parts of Ramadan.
Hastening iftar: Sahih al-Bukhari 1957. Dates and water: Sunan Abi Dawud 2356.
If you forget and eat or drink during the day, simply carry on with your fast. The Prophet (ﷺ) said it was food and drink that Allah (﷾) gave you. Sahih al-Bukhari 1933
The last ten nights
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.”
Zakat al-Fitr and Eid
Before the Eid prayer at the end of Ramadan, every Muslim household gives zakat al-fitr (the charity of breaking the fast) for each member of the family, young or old. Your mosque will tell you the amount for your area. Sahih al-Bukhari 1503
Then comes Eid al-Fitr (the festival of breaking the fast): a morning prayer together, new clothes, visiting family and friends, gifts for children, and food. Eid Mubarak!
Your first Ramadan
Go gently. The first few days are the hardest and then it gets much easier. Drink plenty of water between iftar and suhur, eat a proper suhur, and rest when you can.
Go to an iftar at your local mosque. They are warm, generous and full of people, new Muslims are made especially welcome, and many mosques invite friends of other faiths too.
Make it the month of the Qur’an. Even a page a day is a wonderful start.