Fasting

Fasting (Arabic: sawm) is abstinence from food, drink, cigarettes and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset, undertaken with the intention of worship. The fast during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for adult Muslims in good health.

In addition to the obligatory fast, there are voluntary fasts (sunna) undertaken on specific days, and fasts performed as expiation (kafaarah), sometimes undertaken to atone for a transgression or to fulfil a vow. The timing of the fast is determined by the position of the sun, which means the duration of the fasting day varies by location and season of the year.

Timing and Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, Ramadan falls in a different season each year. The beginning and end of the month depend on sighting of the new moon or astronomical calculation, which can result in different countries beginning the month on different days.

The fasting day begins with a pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and ends at sunset (iftaar). After the month of Ramadan comes the festival of Eid al-Fitr.

Exemptions from the obligation

Scholars commonly exempt children below the age of maturity, the elderly, those with chronic illness, people travelling, pregnant or nursing women, and menstruating women. Some are required to make up the missed days (qadaa) when they are able, while others may instead provide a payment to the poor (fidya).

Purpose and practice

Religious texts link fasting to piety, self-discipline and solidarity with the hungry. It also has social and economic effects: during Ramadan many countries alter working hours and school schedules, and expenditure on food and alms increases.