During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast (Arabic: صوم, sawm; Persian: روزہ, rozeh), every day from dawn to sunset. Fasting requires the abstinence from sex, food, drinking, and smoking. Here’s essential rules of Ramadan fasting that ensure the faithful observance of Ramadan fasting as prescribed by Islamic teachings. The requirements for Ramadan fasting mandate abstaining from dawn to sunset for healthy adults, with exemptions for certain groups. Ramadan, in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle. During the fasting period of Ramadan, Muslims traditionally take two fixed meals: A morning meal called Sahur, usually eaten half an hour before dawn; and Iftar, the fast-breaking meal immediately after sunset. Following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims break the fast with eating dates. Muslims must have the intention to fast every night during the month of Ramadan. They also must abstain from acts that nullify the fast: eating, drinking, smoking, engaging in sexual intercourse, intentionally vomiting, menstruating, or bleeding during childbirth. The daily fast in Ramadan includes abstaining from all food and drink – not even a sip of water is allowed – from dawn to sunset before breaking the fast in a meal known as “iftar” in Arabic. Those fasting are expected to also refrain from bad deeds, such as gossiping, and to increase good deeds. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the deeds of worship required of all Muslims who have attained puberty. Women who are having their menstrual period or who have not fully recovered from childbirth, postpone the fast until they are completely out of their special conditions. What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods of worship. Muslims will fast from dawn to dusk - and are expected to abstain from During this period, Muslims are required to fast and to give to charity, to show kindness and patience, and to strengthen their relationship with God. Extra emphasis is placed on reciting the Fasting during Ramadan means abstinence from all food or drink, including water and chewing gum, from dawn to sunset. It is recommended that before sunrise, Muslims eat a prefast meal known as suhur. This meal often resembles breakfast, but in some cultures it may include more dinner-like foods. Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is a time of great devotion, self-discipline, and reflection for Muslims worldwide. In addition to being a guide for millions of individuals in their daily prayers, the exact fasting timings—which specify when to begin and end the fast each day—are crucial to this sacred observance. The fact that women are not allowed to fast during their period is actually a sign of Allah SWT's mercy towards them. This is because the loss of blood during the period weakens a woman. So, if she were to fast while being on period, both the loss of blood and the fast would weaken her, which would be an unfair burden and could lead to health One must either fast for 60 days after Ramadan or feed 60 people in need (according to the Hanafi school) and fast one day extra. [ 5 ] During a 2013 poliomyelitis outbreak in Somalia , some groups of aid workers were granted an exemption for the oral polio vaccine . During the fasting period of Ramadan, Muslims traditionally take two fixed meals: A morning meal called Sahur, usually eaten half an hour before dawn; and Iftar, the fast-breaking meal immediately after sunset. Following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims break the fast with eating dates. “I miss being able topray and fast with my family while menstruating during Ramadan, but the emotions that Ramadan evokes, for me, do not disappear during that week,” Rose said. In participates who fast more than 15 days, menstrual period had significantly more abnormality than participants who fast less than 15 days. Considering our results we demonstrated that menstrual abnormalities during Ramadan month reach to their peak and three months after Ramadan reduce but do not return to previous condition. Ramadan is a holy month dedicated to prayer and reading the Quran. Generosity and giving to worthy causes and neighbours are encouraged. It is a period for reflection, self-restraint, and warmth Ramadan 2025: How Muslims mark period. Ramadan is held during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a time for spiritual reflection, acts of charity and spending time with loved ones. The reason fasting six days of Shawwal after Ramadan is like fasting for a year is because Allah multiplies good deeds by ten. The Prophet clarified in another narration, “Fasting the month of Ramadan is like ten months of fasting and fasting six days of Shawwal is like two months of fasting. Thus, they are like fasting for a year.” Things That Will Break Your Fast During Ramadan. Fasting during Ramadan is a significant spiritual act in Islam, and it involves abstaining from various actions that can invalidate the fast. These actions range from consuming food or drink to engaging in certain behaviors or activities that undermine the fast’s purity.
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