The Complete Guide to Ramadan Rules and Fasting

Ramadan rules are the religious guidelines Muslims follow during the holy month of Ramadan. They centre on fasting (Sawm), which requires abstinence from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn to sunset, alongside increased spiritual discipline, prayer, and good conduct. Fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims and is a time for reflection, compassion, and generosity.

Ramadan is a time for reflection, contemplation, and celebration. Give mercy this Ramadan by sharing mercy with others through our Ramadan Appeal.

Explore our Ramadan Rules & Fasting guide to know what you need to follow this Ramadan.

There are important Ramadan fasting rules to follow in Ramadan to ensure your fast is valid and spiritually rewarding.

What invalidates the fast?

A fast is invalidated when certain actions are done intentionally during fasting hours. In these cases, a person must either make up the fast (Qada) or offer compensation (Kaffarah).

Actions that invalidate the fast include:

• Intentional eating, drinking, or smoking
• Intentional sexual intercourse
• Self-induced vomiting
• Menstruation or postnatal bleeding
• Injections or drips that provide nourishment

Qada means making up a missed fast at a later date.

Kaffarah applies when a fast is deliberately broken without a valid reason and usually involves fasting 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 people in need.

What does NOT invalidate the fast?

Some actions do not break the fast and are often misunderstood. These include:

• Eating or drinking unintentionally due to forgetfulness
• Using an inhaler or necessary medication for health
• Minor bleeding, blood tests, or non-nutritional injections

If you have missed or broken a fast and are unsure of your responsibility, you may need to give compensation. If you’ve missed a fast, give mercy to someone in need by learning whether you should offer Fidya or Kaffarah.

Islam recognises that not everyone is able to fast. Some people are temporarily or permanently exempt under Ramadan rules.

Who has a temporary exemption?

The following people are allowed to delay fasting and make up the days later:

• Those who are ill and expected to recover
• Travellers
• Women experiencing menstruation or postnatal bleeding
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women

These exemptions are commonly referenced when discussing Ramadan rules for females, ensuring health, wellbeing, and mercy towards oneself.

Who has a permanent exemption?

Some individuals are not required to fast at all:

• Elderly people who are weak or in poor health
• Individuals with chronic or long-term illnesses where fasting would cause harm

Those with permanent exemptions should give Fidya, allowing them to give mercy by feeding someone in need. Learn more about Fidya and Kaffarah.

Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food and drink; it is also about developing mercy, patience, and compassion through improved character, worship, and self-discipline.

Abstaining from sinful behaviour

Observing Ramadan rules includes avoiding actions that reduce the reward of fasting:

• Refraining from anger, violence, gossip, backbiting, and lying
• Avoiding obscene speech, arguments, and vain behaviour

Increased worship

Ramadan encourages deeper focus on prayer and reflection on the Qur’an, strengthening one’s connection with Allah.

• You can read and reflect on the Qur’an at Quran.com.
• Stay organised in your worship and acts of mercy with our Ramadan Digital Planner.

Increased good deeds

Acts of charity and good deeds are especially rewarded during Ramadan and play a vital role in developing taqwa (God-consciousness). By giving generously, showing mercy to others, and being mindful of intentions and daily actions, Muslims strengthen their spiritual awareness and compassion. These good deeds help cultivate sincerity, selflessness, and a deeper connection with Allah throughout the holy month.

During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to increase acts of mercy such as charity, kindness, patience, and helping others, while avoiding harmful behaviour, arguments, and distractions from worship. Fasting is meant to soften the heart and increase compassion for those less fortunate.

There are a few key terms related to fasting that are helpful to know:

Suhoor: The pre-dawn meal before fasting begins. Read our Complete Guide to the Pre - Dawn Meal. The guide contains everything you need to know about suhoor, including what to eat, when to eat, and how it supports energy and fasting.

Iftar: The post-sunset meal used to break the fast. Give mercy at iftar time by supporting our Feed the Fasting Appeal.

Tarawih: Optional nightly prayers performed after ‘Isha.

Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power, one of the final ten nights of Ramadan. Learn more about Laylatul al - Qadr.

By Human Appeal

Manchester, United Kingdom