food, drink, sexual relations, and negative speech or behavior

. This spiritual practice strengthens faith, promotes self-discipline, and deepens the connection with 

 holds deep spiritual significance, especially during the holy month of 

purification, reflection, and spiritual growth

Surah Al-Baqarah (02:185)

Muslims abstain from food, drink, and worldly desires

. This self-discipline allows believers to develop 

spiritual awareness, self-control, and deep reflection

, fostering patience, gratitude, and humility. 

 for those who observe it sincerely for the sake of 

حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ، إِلاَّ الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ، وَلَخَلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ ‏"‏‏.‏

Sahih Al-Bukhari (5927)

Sawm (fasting) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it mandatory during Ramadan. However, Muslims can fast voluntarily throughout the year as an act of worship or to make up for missed fasts.

The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, unlike the Gregorian calendar. As a result, Ramadan shifts forward by approximately 11 days each year, impacting its occurrence across different seasons.

Certain individuals are exempt from fasting, including:

Women who are menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding

Those suffering from illness or health conditions

Anyone unable to fast due to valid reasons



Breaking the Fast with Dates – A Sunnah

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would break his fast with dates, making it a beloved Sunnah practiced by Muslims worldwide during Iftar.


 قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ وَجَدَ تَمْرًا فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ لاَ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَى مَاءٍ فَإِنَّ الْمَاءَ طَهُورٌ ‏"

Jami'at-Tirmidhi (694)

Sahoor is the pre-dawn meal eaten before beginning the fast in Ramadan. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and is highly recommended as it provides strength for the day of fasting. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 

“Eat Sahoor, for in Sahoor there is blessing.”

 (Sahih al-Bukhari). This meal not only nourishes the body but also brings spiritual rewards, making it an important part of fasting in Islam. While there is 

, it is sufficient to make a verbal or heartfelt 

وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Dua For Fasting

Why “Tomorrow” in Intention of Fasting?

Islamic day begins at Maghrib (sunset), the fasting period starts at Fajr and ends at Maghrib

. This is why the intention (niyyah) for fasting 

 إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

Sahih Al-Bukhari (01)

Iftar is the meal Muslims eat to break their fast at sunset during Ramadan. It is a moment of gratitude and reflection, where Muslims thank Allah for granting them the strength to fast. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), it is recommended to break the fast with dates and water before performing the Maghrib prayer.

Most Authentic Dua for Iftar (From Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah)

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

Dua For Iftar

Fasting (Sawm) in Islam is more than just abstaining from food and drink; it is a spiritual journey of self-discipline, devotion, and seeking closeness to Allah. Through fasting, Muslims develop patience, gratitude, and empathy for those in need. Observing Sahoor and Iftar with the right intentions enhances both physical strength and spiritual rewards. May Allah accept our fasts and grant us the blessings of Ramadan.

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، أَخْبَرَنِي الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ وَاقِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ سَالِمٍ - الْمُقَفَّعُ - قَالَ رَأَيْتُ ابْنَ عُمَرَ يَقْبِضُ عَلَى لِحْيَتِهِ فَيَقْطَعُ مَا زَادَ عَلَى الْكَفِّ وَقَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَفْطَرَ قَالَ ‏ "‏ ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ‏"

Sunan Abi Dawud (2357)

 without delay. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized that hastening to break the fast is part of his Sunnah:

لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ

Sawm (Fasting) – The Fourth Pillar of Islam

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