Fasting in Ramadan, known as Sawm (صوم), is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is an act of worship that involves abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn until sunset. The primary purpose is to foster taqwa (تقوى), which means God-consciousness or piety, and to develop self-discipline and empathy for the less fortunate.
The Time of Fasting: The fast begins at the break of dawn, specifically when the "white thread" of daylight becomes distinct from the "black thread" of night, and ends at sunset. This is based on the Quranic verse: "And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread. Then complete the fast until the night" (Quran 2:187). (Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P180; İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P003; Fahreddin Râzî — Mefâtîhu'l-Gayb, s. V05/P076).
Who is Obligated to Fast? Fasting is obligatory for every adult, sane, resident Muslim who is able to fast. (Kudûrî — el-Muhtasar, s. V01/P062).
Exemptions and Exceptions: There are certain individuals who are exempted from fasting, with the general principle being that if fasting causes significant hardship or harm, an exemption may be granted.
- The Sick and Travelers: Those who are ill or on a journey are permitted to break their fast. However, they must make up the missed days later when they are able to. (Kudûrî — el-Muhtasar, s. V01/P062; İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P035).
- The Elderly and Chronically Ill: An elderly person who is unable to fast due to old age, or someone with a chronic illness that prevents them from fasting, can break their fast. In such cases, they are required to feed a needy person (miskin) for each day they miss. (Kudûrî — el-Muhtasar, s. V01/P062; İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P053).
- Pregnant and Nursing Women: If a pregnant or nursing woman fears for her child's health due to fasting, she may break her fast. According to some sources, she must then make up the missed days and also feed a needy person for each day missed. (İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P035; Ebû Dâvûd, s. V02/P296). Other sources indicate that they are exempt from making up the fast, only needing to feed a miskin. (İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P035).
- Menstruating Women: Women are exempt from fasting during their menstrual period. They must make up the missed days after their period ends. (Kudûrî — el-Muhtasar, s. V01/P062).
Acts that Invalidate the Fast: The fast is invalidated by intentionally:
- Eating or drinking. (Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P180).
- Engaging in sexual intercourse. (Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P183; İbn Hacer — Fethu'l-Bârî, s. V08/P180).
- Intentionally vomiting. (Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P180).
- Reaching the brain with medicine through the nose or ear, or medicine reaching the stomach through the intestines. (Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P180).
If a fast is invalidated by eating, drinking, or vomiting without a valid excuse, the person must make up that day. (Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P182). If it is invalidated by sexual intercourse, they must make up the day and also perform a kaffarah (كفارة), which is an expiation, typically involving freeing a slave, or fasting for two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people if unable to do so. (Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P183).
Important Considerations:
- If someone eats or drinks while forgetting they are fasting, or if they break their fast mistakenly believing the time for iftar (إفطار - breaking the fast) has come, their fast is still valid. They must, however, refrain from eating or drinking for the rest of the day. (Kudûrî — el-Muhtasar, s. V01/P062; Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P182).
- The intention (niyyah - نية) to fast is essential for the fast to be valid, especially for voluntary fasts. For the obligatory fast of Ramadan, the intention is generally understood to be present from the night before. (Fahreddin Râzî — Mefâtîhu'l-Gayb, s. V05/P076).
- It is recommended to break the fast immediately after sunset. (İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P053).
- It is recommended to have suhoor (سحور - pre-dawn meal) before the fast begins. (İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P053).
- Fasting on the day of doubt (the 30th of Sha'ban if the crescent moon is not sighted) is discouraged. (İbn Kudâme — el-Muğnî, s. V03/P003; Mâlik — el-Muvatta', s. V01/P306).
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that aims to bring believers closer to God and to cultivate compassion and self-control.