Islamic fasting guidelines

Benefits of fasting in Islam

In Islam, fasting is a significant act of worship, enriched with both physical and spiritual benefits. Through fasting, a person not only obeys the command of Allah Almighty but also enhances their health. During fasting, one abstains from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, allowing the stomach and other organs to rest. Additionally, fasting aids in the elimination of harmful toxins from the body and strengthens the immune system.

Spiritually, fasting teaches a person patience, piety, and God-consciousness. When a fasting person endures the intensity of hunger and thirst, it nurtures a sense of compassion for the poor and the needy. Moreover, fasting encourages one to refrain from evil and engage in righteous deeds. Observing fasts during the blessed month of Ramadan is obligatory for every Muslim and carries countless virtues.

The virtues of the blessed month of Ramadan are abundantly mentioned in the noble Hadith. However, for the sake of brevity, a few are presented here.

The Leader of the Universe, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, said: “My Ummah has been granted five special blessings in Ramadan, which were not given to any nation before.”

• The breath of a fasting person is more fragrant in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk.
• The fish in the sea pray for the forgiveness of the fasting person until they break their fast.
• Every day, Allah adorns Paradise and says, ‘Soon, My righteous servants will be relieved of their hardships and will enter you (O Paradise).’
• The rebellious devils are chained.
• On the last night of Ramadan, the fasting believers are granted forgiveness.

The Beloved Prophet ﷺ also said: “In Ramadan, performing a voluntary act of worship is equivalent to fulfilling an obligatory act, and fulfilling one obligatory act earns the reward of seventy obligatory acts.”

The Prophet ﷺ further stated: “Fasting believers will enter Paradise through a special gate called ‘Ar-Rayyan’ (which means ‘the one that quenches thirst’). Those who enter through this gate will never experience thirst again. Once all the fasting believers have entered, the gate will be closed, and no one else will enter through it.”

In another Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said: “The reward for fasting is known only to Allah, for He Himself has declared, ‘Fasting is for Me, and I shall personally grant its reward.'”

The Prophet ﷺ also mentioned: “The supplication made at the time of breaking the fast is always accepted.”

Hazrat Jabir (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Every evening in Ramadan, at the time of Iftar, Allah frees 100,000 people from Hell—those who were otherwise destined for it. On the last night of Ramadan, He grants freedom to as many souls as He had throughout the entire month.”

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1406; Al-Targheeb wa Al-Tarheeb, Kitab al-Sawm; Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan, Para 30, Surah Al-Qadr).

Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“When the first night of Ramadan arrives, Allah bestows His mercy upon His creation. And when Allah grants His mercy to someone, He never subjects them to punishment.”

“(وَلِلَّهِ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَلْفُ أَلْفِ عَتِيقٍ مِنَ النَّارِ)”

Translation: “Every day, Allah frees one million people from the fire of Hell—those who were already destined for it. Then, on the twenty-ninth night, Allah grants freedom to as many souls as He had throughout the entire month.”

On the night of Eid, there is a great commotion among the angels. Allah manifests a divine radiance that no human can describe. When people prepare for Eid in the morning, Allah asks the angels:

“Tell me, what is the reward for the one who has completed their task?”

The angels reply:

“O our Lord, such a person should be given their full recompense.”

Upon this, Allah declares:

“(أُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ)”

Translation: “O My angels, bear witness that I have forgiven them all.”

(Kanz-ul-Ummal, Vol. 8)

Sins Are Transformed Into Virtues

SubhanAllah! The blessings of Ramadan are beyond imagination.

Hazrat Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“On the day of Eid, Allah addresses the angels regarding His servants and says: ‘O My angels, what is the reward for a worker who has completed their labor?'”

The angels respond:

“(قَالُوا: رَبَّنَا جَزَاؤُهُ أَنْ يُؤْتَى أَجْرَهُ)”

Translation: “O our Lord, such a person should be given their full reward.”

Then Allah says:

“O My angels, My servants—both men and women—have fulfilled My obligation, and now they raise their hands in supplication. By My honor, majesty, and greatness, I swear that I will surely accept their prayers.”

“(فَيَقُولُ الْجَبَّارُ: قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكُمْ وَبَدَّلْتُ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ حَسَنَاتٍ، قَالَ: فَيَرْجِعُونَ)”

Translation: “Then Allah says: ‘I have forgiven you all, and I have transformed your sins into good deeds.’”

The Prophet ﷺ further stated:

“They return from Eid in a state of complete forgiveness.”

Islamic fasting guidelines

Question: Does vomiting break the fast?

Answer: No, vomiting does not break the fast.

To understand this in the light of Hadith, let us look at the noble words of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ.

Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“If someone vomits involuntarily while fasting, they do not need to make up for the fast. However, if someone vomits deliberately, they must make up for the fast.”

The exact wording of the Hadith is as follows:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ ذَرَعَهُ الْقَيْءُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاءٌ، وَمَنْ اسْتَقَاءَ عَمْدًا فَلْيَقْضِ

(Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If a fasting person vomits unintentionally, there is no obligation to make up for the fast. However, if someone induces vomiting deliberately, they must observe a compensatory fast.”)

This Hadith has been recorded by Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah, and scholars like Ibn Hibban and Hakim have classified it as authentic.

Further Clarification:

If a person intentionally vomits to the extent of a mouthful while remembering that they are fasting, then their fast is nullified. However, if vomiting occurs involuntarily, whether it is a mouthful or less, the fast remains intact, unless the vomit is swallowed back intentionally. If the vomit is swallowed involuntarily, the fast is not affected.

If the vomit consists of food particles, then the ruling applies as mentioned above. However, if the vomit consists of bile, blood, or phlegm, the fast remains unaffected in all cases.

(Reference: Durr-e-Mukhtar, Alamgiri, Bahar-e-Shariat, Volume 5, Page 60)

Additional References:

• Sunan Abu Dawood – Book of Fasting
• Sunan Tirmidhi – Chapter on Fasting, Volume 1, Hadith 698
• Sunan Ibn Majah – Book of Fasting, Hadith 1739
• Kanz-ul-Ummal – Volume 8, Page 230, Hadith 2814

Question: Can a person skip fasting due to certain reasons?

Answer: Yes, fasting can be skipped under the following six conditions:

• Travel
• Pregnancy
• A nursing mother
• Illness
• Coercion, mental instability, or participation in Jihad
• Fear of death

These conditions—travel, pregnancy, breastfeeding, illness, old age, fear of death, coercion, and mental impairment—are all valid excuses for not observing the fast. If a person does not fast due to these reasons, they are not considered sinful. (Durr-e-Mukhtar)

Explanation:

• Travel: This refers to a journey classified as “Shar’i travel,” meaning a distance of at least three days’ travel (approximately 57.5 miles). Even if the journey is for an impermissible purpose, the concession remains valid. (Durr-e-Mukhtar)
• Illness: If a patient fears that fasting may worsen their condition, delay their recovery, or if a healthy person fears falling ill due to fasting, they are permitted to skip the fast. The same applies to servants or workers who fear extreme weakness that they cannot bear. However, mere doubt or assumption of weakness is insufficient; there must be a strong likelihood based on:
• Visible symptoms or personal experience
• Advice from a qualified, practicing Muslim physician (who is not known to be impious).

Today, many doctors hastily advise against fasting for minor reasons, so their opinion should be carefully considered.

Compensation (Fidya) for Missed Fasts:

Those who are permitted to skip fasting due to valid Shar’i reasons must compensate by:

• Feeding one poor person two full meals per day for each missed fast, or
• Giving the equivalent amount of Sadaqah al-Fitr to a needy person for each missed fast.

Hadith Reference:

Hazrat Anas (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Six types of people are permitted to skip the fasts of Ramadan: (1) The traveler, (2) The sick person, (3) A pregnant woman fearing miscarriage, (4) A nursing mother fearing weakness in her child, (5) An extremely elderly person who cannot fast, and (6) A person experiencing extreme hunger or thirst to the point of life risk.”

In such cases, fasting may be skipped.

Concession for the Elderly:

It is narrated in Sunan Daraqutni (Volume 2) that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) reported:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that an elderly person who cannot fast is permitted to forgo fasting and should feed a poor person for each missed fast. There is no obligation to make up for the fasts later.”

Question: Can one use a miswak (tooth-stick) while fasting?

Answer: Yes, one can use a miswak while fasting, and doing so earns the reward of following the Sunnah.

Hazrat Aamir bin Rabee’ah (RA) narrates:

رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَسْتَاكُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ مَا لَا أُحْصِي

“I have seen the Prophet ﷺ using the miswak while fasting so many times that I cannot even count.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

Furthermore, it is narrated in Kanz-ul-Ummal (Kitab-us-Sawm, Hadith No. 23955) that Hazrat Anas (RA) reported:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that a fasting person may use both a dry and a fresh miswak, regardless of whether it is early or late in the day.”

(Kanz-ul-Ummal: Kitab-us-Sawm, Hadith No. 23955)

Question: Can one undergo cupping (Hijama) while fasting?

Answer: Yes, one can undergo Hijama (cupping) while fasting, as mentioned in the Hadith.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrates:

عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: احْتَجَمَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ

“The Prophet ﷺ underwent cupping while he was fasting.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

(Hijama refers to the therapeutic practice of drawing blood from the body using needles, blades, or razors, usually from the calves or other parts of the body.)

Question: Can one take an injection while fasting? Does an injection break the fast?

Answer:

Taking an injection while fasting does not break the fast. However, it is preferable to avoid it, as it could lead to potential complications.

If an injection directly delivers medicine or nutrition into the brain cavity (Jauf-e-Dimagh) or stomach cavity (Jauf-e-Maida), the fast will become invalid (Fasid).

• If someone intentionally eats, drinks, or engages in marital relations while remembering their fast, their fast will break, and both Qada (making up the fast) and Kaffarah (expiation) will be necessary.
• If someone eats or drinks forgetfully but remembers mid-act, they must stop immediately.
• If someone is eating Suhoor and accidentally swallows food after Fajr has begun, the fast will break, and both Qada and Kaffarah will be required.
• Those addicted to hookah or cigarettes who smoke while fasting must also observe both Qada and Kaffarah.

Thus, while an injection does not break the fast, it is still advisable to avoid it during fasting unless absolutely necessary.

Question: What happens if someone eats or drinks forgetfully while fasting?

Answer:

According to a hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Whoever forgets that they are fasting and eats or drinks, they should complete their fast, for it is Allah who has fed and given them drink.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 259-1, Sahih Muslim: 1364, Mishkat Sharif: 176-1)

This means that if a fasting person unintentionally eats or drinks out of forgetfulness, their fast remains valid and is not broken. They should simply continue fasting as normal.

In which cases the fast is not broken?

Rules Regarding Fasting in Islam

• Reminding Someone Who Is Eating While Fasting:
• If someone is eating or drinking while fasting, it is obligatory to remind them.
• However, if the person is elderly and weak, reminding them is not necessary.
• If the person is strong, it is essential to remind them.
• If they continue eating despite being reminded, their fast will be invalidated.
  (Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5 – Radd al-Muhtar, Vol. 1, p. 365; Noor al-Izah)
• Smoke, Dust, or Grain Particles Entering the Throat:
• If smoke, dust, or grain particles enter the throat unintentionally, the fast remains valid.
• However, if a person intentionally inhales smoke or any substance, the fast will be broken.
  (Durr al-Mukhtar, Book of Fasting, Vol. 1, p. 149; Fatawa Qazi Khan, Fatawa Alamgiri, Noor al-Izah, Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5)
• Swallowing Water Remaining in the Mouth After Rinsing:
• If a fasting person swallows leftover water after rinsing their mouth, the fast will not break, as avoiding it completely is difficult.
  (Fatawa Razawiyya, Vol. 10, Kitab al-Sawm – Radd al-Muhtar, Vol. 1, p. 367; Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5)
• Applying Kohl (Surma) or Oil:
• Applying kohl (surma) or oil does not break the fast, even if its taste is felt in the throat.
  (Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5; Noor al-Izah, Book of What Does Not Invalidate Fasting)
• Water Entering the Ear:
• If water enters the ear, the fast remains valid.
  (Durr al-Mukhtar, Vol. 3, p. 367; Fatawa Razawiyya, Vol. 10, p. 497)
• Forgetting and Eating or Drinking:
• If a fasting person forgets and starts eating or drinking, then immediately spits out the food or water upon remembering, the fast remains intact.
• However, if they continue eating after remembering, their fast will be invalidated.
  (Fatawa Alamgiri, Vol. 1, p. 203; Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5)
• Bleeding from the Gums:
• If blood appears in the mouth but is not swallowed, the fast remains valid.
  (Fath al-Qadeer, Vol. 2, p. 258; Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5)
• Experiencing Nocturnal Emission (Ihtilam) During the Day:
• If a person experiences nocturnal emission (wet dream) during the fast, their fast remains intact.
  (Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5; Durr al-Mukhtar, Vol. 3, p. 372)
• Swallowing a Sesame Seed or Similar-Sized Object:
• If a person chews something as small as a sesame seed, and it is swallowed with saliva, the fast does not break.
• However, if the taste of that object is felt in the throat, the fast will be broken.
  (Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5; Fath al-Qadeer, Vol. 2, p. 259; Ata-e-Habib, Noor al-Izah)
• Swallowing Saliva, Mucus, or Phlegm:
• Swallowing saliva, mucus, or phlegm does not invalidate the fast.
• However, intentionally doing so is disliked (Makruh).
  (Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5; Durr al-Mukhtar, Vol. 3, p. 373)
• Forgetting and Eating, Drinking, or Having Intercourse:
• If a person forgets they are fasting and eats, drinks, or has intercourse, their fast remains valid, whether it is an obligatory (Fard) or voluntary (Nafl) fast.
  (Bahar-e-Shariat, Part 5; Noor al-Izah, Book of What Does Not Invalidate Fasting; Durr al-Mukhtar, Vol. 1, p. 149)

These rulings provide clear guidance on fasting and help ensure that the fast remains valid and spiritually rewarding while maintaining the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.

In which cases the fast is broken?

(1) If one knowingly eats, drinks, or engages in marital relations, the fast will be broken. In this case, both Qada (making up the fast) and Kaffara (expiation) will be obligatory.
(Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five; Durr-e-Mukhtar, Volume 1, Page 151 – Chapter on What Invalidates Fasting)

(2) Smoking a hookah, cigar, cigarette, or chewing betel leaves with tobacco will invalidate the fast.
(Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five)

(3) If blood emerges from the teeth and is swallowed, reaching the throat while its taste is perceptible, the fast will be nullified.
(Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five; Durr-e-Mukhtar)

(4) If a colored thread is placed in the mouth, causing the saliva to change color, and the colored saliva is swallowed, the fast will be broken.
(Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five; Fatawa Alamgiri, Volume 1, Page 203)

(5) If tears enter the mouth and are swallowed, the ruling depends on the amount:

• If it is one or two drops, the fast remains intact.
• If more than that, and the salty taste is noticeable, the fast will be broken.
• The same ruling applies to sweat.
  (Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five; Fatawa Alamgiri, Volume 1, Page 203)

(6) Receiving an injection (whether into the flesh or a vein) while fasting will break the fast.
(Reference: Sharh Sahih Muslim, Volume 3, Page 1154)

(7) If medicine is placed in the nostrils or oil is dropped into the ears, the fast will be nullified.

• However, if water enters the ear, the fast will not break.
  (Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five; Fatawa Alamgiri, Volume 1, Page 204)

(8) If a fasting person is rinsing the mouth (while remembering they are fasting) and water accidentally reaches the throat, the fast will be nullified.

• Similarly, if one intentionally inhales water into the nose while performing ablution (and it reaches the brain), the fast will be broken.
• However, if done forgetfully, the fast remains valid.
  (Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five)

(9) If one swallows another person’s saliva or collects their own saliva in their hand and then swallows it, the fast will be broken.
(Reference: Fatawa Alamgiri, Volume 1, Page 203; Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five)

(10) If a fasting person vomits, the ruling depends on the amount:

• If less than a mouthful, the fast remains valid, even if swallowed intentionally or unintentionally.
• If a mouthful or more is vomited and then swallowed (even if it is the size of a chickpea), the fast will be broken.
• However, if the vomit is not swallowed, the fast remains intact.

(11) If vomit contains phlegm, the fast will remain valid.

• But if it contains food particles, blood, or bile, the fast will be nullified.
  (Reference: Bahar-e-Shariat, Part Five; Durr-e-Mukhtar, Volume 3, Page 393)

Fidya & Kaffara Rulings Regarding Fasting

Expiation (Kaffara) for Breaking a Ramadan Fast

If a sane and adult person deliberately breaks a fast during Ramadan (by eating, drinking, or engaging in marital relations), both Qada (making up the missed fast) and Kaffara (expiation) become obligatory. The Kaffara consists of:

• Freeing a slave, if possible.
• If not possible, fasting continuously for 60 days.
• If unable to fast due to old age or illness, feeding 60 needy people.

A healthy person who is capable of fasting cannot offer food to the needy in place of fasting as Kaffara.

Compensation (Fidya) for Missed Fasts

A person who is unable to fast due to old age or a chronic illness and has no hope of recovery must give approximately 1.75 kg of wheat or its equivalent in value as Fidya for each missed fast.

• If the person later regains health, they must make up for the missed fasts, and the Fidya already given will count as charity (Sadaqah).
• If someone dies without making up missed fasts, they should leave a will instructing that Fidya be paid from their estate.
• Fidya is only required for those who are permanently unable to fast due to an ongoing medical condition or old age.

How to Give Fidya

For each missed fast, 1.75 kg of wheat or its monetary equivalent must be given to a needy person.

• If the individual recovers later, they must observe the missed fasts, and any previously given Fidya will be considered a voluntary charity.

Summary:

• Fidya is for those who cannot fast due to weakness or illness and have no hope of recovery.

Kaffara is required for those who intentionally break their Ramadan fasts.