The time of the fast
Allah says: “Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the night” (Quran 2:187). So the fast begins at Fajr and ends at Maghrib. See the full Ramadan 2027 timetable for your city.
Things that break the fast
- Eating or drinking on purpose during the fasting hours (Quran 2:187).
- Marital relations during the day. The same verse allows them only at night. Someone who did this came to the Prophet ﷺ and was told to make expiation (Sahih al-Bukhari 1936).
- Making yourself vomit on purpose. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever is overcome by vomiting owes nothing, but whoever vomits deliberately must make up the day (Sunan Abi Dawud 2380, graded sahih by al-Albani).
- Menstruation and post-natal bleeding: a woman does not fast during these days and makes up the missed fasts later, but not the missed prayers (Sahih Muslim 335).
Things that do not break the fast
- Eating or drinking by mistake. “If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully, he should complete his fast, for it is Allah who fed him and gave him drink” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933). Stop as soon as you remember.
- Vomiting that you can’t help (Sunan Abi Dawud 2380).
- Swallowing your own saliva, showering, and rinsing the mouth without swallowing water: scholars agree these are fine.
- Waking up in a state of janabah (needing a bath) and bathing after Fajr.
Where scholars differ
Some modern questions have different answers from qualified scholars, so we don’t give a ruling here: toothpaste (many advise using a miswak or a toothbrush without paste, or brushing before Fajr), eye and ear drops, asthma inhalers, injections and blood tests, and IV drips (nutritional drips are widely held to break the fast). Please ask a scholar you trust, especially if it is about a medical condition.
Who doesn’t have to fast
- The sick and travellers may skip fasts and make them up later: “Whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days” (Quran 2:184).
- Those who cannot fast at all, such as the very elderly or chronically ill, feed a poor person for each day instead (fidya) (Quran 2:184).
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women who fear for themselves or the baby may skip fasts; scholars differ on whether they make them up or pay fidya, so ask a scholar.
- Children are not obliged to fast before puberty, though many families start them gently.
If fasting could harm your health, speak to your doctor and a scholar. Islam does not ask anyone to fast in a way that harms them: “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship” (Quran 2:185).
How to break the fast
Break your fast as soon as Maghrib comes in: “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1957). The Prophet ﷺ broke his fast with fresh dates, or dried dates, or a few sips of water (Sunan Abi Dawud 2356, graded hasan sahih). Then say the Iftar dua from our Ramadan checklist.