How to fast correctly
The fast of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, an obligation prescribed by Allah to purify the soul and strengthen taqwa (piety). Fasting correctly is not limited to abstaining from food and drink, but encompasses a set of conditions, pillars and adab (good conduct) that ensure the validity and acceptance of the fast.
Learning objectives
- Understand the conditions and pillars of obligatory fasting
- Know the daily routine of a fasting person
- Adopt good conduct (adab) during the fast
- Organize Ramadan days in a balanced way
- Distinguish what validates or invalidates the fast
Definition of fasting (sawm) in Islam
Sawm means linguistically «to abstain». In the religious context, it designates the act of worship by which the Muslim voluntarily abstains from eating, drinking, and conjugal relations, from dawn (fajr) until sunset (maghrib), with the sincere intention of drawing closer to Allah.
Fasting is not a mere physical deprivation, but a profound spiritual act. It is a means of disciplining the soul, developing patience, and increasing awareness of Allah in all aspects of life. The Prophet ﷺ said: «Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward from Allah, their past sins will be forgiven.»
Fasting is a unique act of worship because it is invisible to people. Only Allah truly knows whether a person is fasting or not, which makes it an act of pure sincerity (ikhlas). This is why Allah says in a Qudsi hadith: «All the deeds of the son of Adam belong to him, except fasting which belongs to Me, and I will give its reward.»
Key points to remember
- •Sawm means abstaining from food, drink and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset
- •It is a spiritual act of worship, not just physical deprivation
- •Fasting develops taqwa, patience and awareness of Allah
- •It is a secret act of worship between the servant and Allah
- •Its reward is immense and given directly by Allah
Conditions for the obligation to fast
The Ramadan fast is only obligatory for those who meet certain conditions. First, the person must be Muslim. Second, they must have reached the age of puberty (bulugh). Third, they must be of sound mind. Fourth, they must be physically capable of fasting. A sick person, a pregnant or nursing woman, a traveler, or an elderly person may be exempt.
Finally, for women, they must not be in a state of menstruation (hayd) or postnatal bleeding (nifas), as in these states, fasting and prayer are not valid. These conditions show Allah's mercy, who does not burden a soul more than it can bear.
Key points to remember
- •Be Muslim: fasting is prescribed for believers only
- •Have reached puberty: children are not required to fast
- •Be of sound mind: religious responsibility requires reason
- •Be physically capable: the sick and travelers have dispensations
- •For women: not be in menstruation or postnatal bleeding
The pillars of fasting
The pillars (arkan) of fasting are the essential elements without which the fast is not valid. The first pillar is the intention (niyyah), which must be present in the heart before dawn. The second pillar is abstinence (imsak) from everything that breaks the fast, from the true dawn (fajr sadiq) until sunset (maghrib). This includes eating, drinking, and conjugal relations.
It is important to note that abstinence must be voluntary and conscious. If a person eats or drinks by forgetfulness, their fast remains valid, because Allah shows mercy to those who forget. The Prophet ﷺ said: «Whoever eats or drinks by forgetfulness while fasting, let them continue their fast, for it is Allah who fed and watered them.»
Key points to remember
- •The intention (niyyah) must be formed in the heart before dawn
- •Abstain from eating, drinking and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset
- •Abstinence must be voluntary and conscious
- •Eating or drinking by forgetfulness does not invalidate the fast
- •The time limits are true dawn and sunset
The routine of a fasting day
A successful fasting day begins before dawn with suhoor (the pre-dawn meal). The Prophet ﷺ said: «Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is a blessing (baraka).» During the day, the Muslim should stay usefully occupied: perform prayers on time, read the Quran, make dhikr, and go about daily activities.
At the approach of maghrib, it is recommended to prepare some dates and water to break the fast. The Prophet ﷺ broke his fast with fresh dates, or if unavailable, dried dates, or else water. At iftar time, one says: «Dhahaba adh-dhama'u wabtalat al-'uruqu wa thabata al-ajru in sha Allah» (The thirst is gone, the veins are refreshed, and the reward is established if Allah wills).
After breaking the fast with dates and water, one performs the maghrib prayer, then takes a full meal. The evening continues with the isha prayer and the Tarawih prayers, which are strongly recommended during Ramadan.
Key points to remember
- •Suhoor: take a pre-dawn meal, a source of blessing
- •Delay suhoor until close to the fajr adhan
- •Day: stay productive, read the Quran, make dhikr, work normally
- •Iftar: break the fast with dates and water at sunset
- •Say the iftar dua, pray maghrib, then take a full meal
- •Perform Tarawih after isha to complete the day spiritually
Adab (good conduct) of the fasting person
The fast is not limited to abstaining from food and drink. The Prophet ﷺ said: «Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of them abandoning their food and drink.» This means the fast must be accompanied by exemplary conduct.
The fasting person must guard their tongue from inappropriate speech: lying, backbiting, slander, insults, useless chatter. The Prophet ﷺ said: «If someone insults you or provokes you, say: I am fasting, I am fasting.»
The fasting person should also strive to multiply good deeds: give charity, be generous, help others, reconcile people, visit the sick. Ramadan is a month of generosity, and the Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of men, and even more so during Ramadan.
Key points to remember
- •Guard the tongue from lying, backbiting, insults and idle speech
- •Protect eyes and ears from what is illicit
- •Respond calmly to provocations: «I am fasting»
- •Multiply good deeds: charity, generosity, helping others
- •Do not sleep excessively, remain active and productive
- •Make the fast a school of piety and self-control
Health and organization tips
For suhoor, prefer foods that release energy slowly: whole grains, dates, fruits, yogurt, and sufficient water. Avoid overly salty or sugary foods that increase thirst.
At iftar, do not rush the food. Start with dates and water, pray, then calmly eat a balanced meal. Avoid overeating to the point of feeling heavy and unable to pray Tarawih. The Prophet ﷺ said: «The son of Adam fills no vessel worse than his stomach.»
Organize your time during Ramadan: plan your Quran reading, prayers, family time, and work. A well-organized Ramadan is a productive and spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Key points to remember
- •Balanced suhoor: whole grains, dates, fruits, water
- •Avoid overly salty or sugary foods
- •Manage physical efforts during the day
- •Progressive iftar: dates, water, prayer, then balanced meal
- •Do not overeat so you can comfortably pray Tarawih
- •Organize your time: Quran, prayers, family, work
References (Dalil)
Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 183
"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you - that you may become righteous."
Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185
"The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the new moon of the month, let him fast it."
Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward from Allah, their past sins will be forgiven."
Qudsi hadith reported by Al-Bukhari — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Allah says: «All the deeds of the son of Adam belong to him, except fasting which belongs to Me, and I will give its reward.»"
Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is a blessing (baraka)."
Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of them abandoning their food and drink."
Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"If someone insults you or provokes you while you are fasting, say: I am fasting, I am fasting."
Hadith reported by At-Tirmidhi — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Whoever eats or drinks by forgetfulness while fasting, let them continue their fast, for it is Allah who fed and watered them."