How to Fast: What Breaks and Does Not Break the Fast

Fasting means consciously abstaining from eating, drinking and other fast-breaking acts from dawn (imsak) until sunset. The Ramadan fast is obligatory upon every sane, mature Muslim who is able to fast. This ruling is stated clearly in the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2:183).

Suhur, intention and iftar

It is a Sunnah and a source of blessing to prepare with the pre-dawn meal (suhur) before imsak. Making the intention in the heart is required; for Ramadan one may intend from the night before up until imsak. When the sun sets, that is at the evening call to prayer, the fast is broken with iftar.

What breaks the fast: kaza vs kaffara

Eating or drinking deliberately, sexual intercourse and intentional vomiting break the fast. A fast broken merely by eating or drinking requires only a make-up (kaza), that is, fasting that day later. Deliberate intercourse during a Ramadan day can require both kaza and kaffara (fasting sixty consecutive days); consult a reliable manual for details.

What does not break the fast

Eating or drinking out of forgetfulness does not break the fast; one stops at once upon remembering and continues fasting. An injection, rinsing the mouth and spitting without swallowing, and dust or smoke reaching the throat involuntarily generally do not break it. A wet dream and giving blood also do not break the fast.

Who may not fast; kaza and fidya

Those whose illness would worsen, travelers, and pregnant or nursing mothers may postpone and make up the fast later; women during menstruation or postnatal bleeding do not fast and make it up afterward. The elderly and chronically ill with no hope of recovery give fidya instead. You can follow the imsak (end of suhur) and evening (iftar) times for your city on our site.