Fasting in Ramadan.

Ramadan is the month of the Qur'an, mercy and forgiveness. Fasting can feel challenging at first, but millions of people of every age do it with joy. Today you'll learn how to fast, what breaks a fast, who is exempt, and how to make the most of the month.

Check details with your marja

Fasting has detailed rules. This lesson covers the basics; for your situation (health, travel, work), check your marja's rulings or ask a scholar.

The basics

• Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for adult Muslims who are able.
• Make the intention to fast for the sake of Allah (you can intend for each day, or for the whole month at its start, according to many rulings).
• The fast lasts from true dawn (Fajr) until Maghrib: in Shia practice, the fast is opened when the redness in the eastern sky disappears after sunset, a few minutes after sunset.
• Suhur (sehri): a pre-dawn meal, highly recommended.
• Iftar: opening the fast; it's recommended to pray Maghrib first if it doesn't cause difficulty.

What breaks the fast

Who is exempt (or delays)

• The sick, if fasting would harm them.
• Travellers who travel the legal distance (with conditions).
• Women during menstruation and post-childbirth bleeding.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, if fasting may harm them or the baby.
• The elderly who find it very difficult.

Missed fasts are usually made up later (qadha), and some cases require fidyah or kaffarah. Ask your marja's office about your situation.

The spirit of Ramadan

• Read the Qur'an daily.
• Recite duas: Dua al-Iftitah at night, Dua Abu Hamza al-Thumali before dawn (see our Duas page).
• The Nights of Qadr (likely the 19th, 21st and 23rd nights): nights of special worship, also linked to the martyrdom of Imam Ali (a) on the 21st of Ramadan.
• Give charity, feed people, and pay Zakat al-Fitr before Eid prayer.
• Guard your tongue: avoid lying, backbiting and anger.