Complete Fasting Guide for Ramadan 2026

Everything you need to know about fasting (Sawm) during Ramadan - rules, tips, common questions, and practical advice.

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What is Fasting (Sawm)?

Sawm (صوم) is the Arabic word for fasting. In Islam, it means abstaining from food, drink, and intimate relations from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) with the intention of worship.

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

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Basic Fasting Rules

What You Must Avoid (From Fajr to Maghrib):

1. Eating - Any food consumption
2. Drinking - Any liquids, including water
3. Smoking - Cigarettes, vaping, hookah
4. Sexual intercourse - Between spouses
5. Deliberate vomiting - Forcing yourself to vomit

What is Allowed While Fasting:

• Brushing teeth (without swallowing)
• Showering and swimming (without swallowing water)
• Eye drops, ear drops
• Injections for medical purposes (not nutrition)
• Blood tests
• Unintentional swallowing of water/food
• Swallowing saliva
• Using perfume/cologne
• Applying makeup

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Who Must Fast?

Fasting is Obligatory (Fard) for:

• Adult Muslims (reached puberty)
• Mentally sound individuals
• Physically able to fast
• Residents (not traveling)

Exemptions from Fasting:

Category	Ruling
Children (before puberty)	Not required, encouraged to practice
Elderly (cannot fast)	Pay Fidya instead
Sick people	Make up days when healthy
Travelers	Can break fast, make up later
Pregnant women	If harmful to health, make up later
Breastfeeding women	If harmful to health, make up later
Menstruating women	Cannot fast, must make up days
Postnatal bleeding	Cannot fast, must make up days

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What Breaks Your Fast?

Definitely Breaks the Fast:

Action	Result	What to Do
Eating intentionally	Fast broken	Make up the day
Drinking intentionally	Fast broken	Make up the day
Sexual intercourse	Fast broken	Make up + Kaffarah
Deliberate vomiting	Fast broken	Make up the day
Menstruation starts	Fast broken	Make up the day

Does NOT Break the Fast:

Action	Ruling
Eating/drinking by mistake	Fast valid - stop when you remember
Swallowing saliva	Fast valid
Unintentional vomiting	Fast valid
Wet dream	Fast valid
Tasting food (without swallowing)	Fast valid (but discouraged)
Using miswak/toothbrush	Fast valid
Injections (non-nutritional)	Fast valid
Blood donation	Fast valid

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Fidya and Kaffarah

Fidya (Compensation)

For those who cannot fast (elderly, chronically ill):

• Feed one poor person for each missed day
• Approximately $10-15 per day (varies by location)

Kaffarah (Expiation)

For deliberately breaking fast without valid reason (especially sexual intercourse):

1. Fast 60 consecutive days, OR
2. Feed 60 poor people

This is a serious matter - consult a scholar.

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Tips for Easier Fasting

Before Ramadan:

1. Reduce caffeine gradually to avoid withdrawal headaches
2. Practice fasting (Mondays/Thursdays) before Ramadan
3. Adjust sleep schedule if possible
4. Stock up on healthy foods
5. Plan meals in advance

During Suhoor (Pre-Dawn):

1. Don’t skip Suhoor - It’s blessed and provides energy
2. Eat complex carbs - Oatmeal, whole grains, brown rice
3. Include protein - Eggs, yogurt, cheese, beans
4. Stay hydrated - Drink plenty of water
5. Avoid - Salty foods, fried foods, too much sugar

During the Day:

1. Stay busy - Idle time makes fasting harder
2. Avoid strenuous exercise in extreme heat
3. Rest when needed - Take short naps if possible
4. Stay in cool places if weather is hot
5. Don’t obsess over food - focus on worship

During Iftar (Breaking Fast):

1. Break fast immediately when Maghrib enters
2. Start with dates and water (Sunnah)
3. Don’t overeat - Eat slowly
4. Eat balanced meals - Not just fried foods
5. Continue hydrating between Iftar and Suhoor

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Health Considerations

Who Should Consult a Doctor:

• Diabetics
• Those on regular medication
• Pregnant/breastfeeding women
• People with chronic conditions
• Heart patients

Warning Signs to Break Fast:

• Severe dehydration
• Dangerously low blood sugar
• Fainting or confusion
• Chest pain
• Any medical emergency

Your health comes first - Islam allows breaking fast when necessary.

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Common Questions

”What if I accidentally eat or drink?”

Your fast is still valid. Just stop immediately when you remember. The Prophet (ﷺ) said Allah fed you if you forgot.

”Can I brush my teeth while fasting?”

Yes, but be careful not to swallow toothpaste or water. Using miswak is even better.

”Does swallowing saliva break the fast?”

No, swallowing your own saliva does not break the fast.

”What if I feel very weak?”

Try to continue if possible. If you genuinely fear harm to your health, you may break your fast and make it up later.

”Can I take medication while fasting?”

• Pills/tablets: Break the fast (take before Fajr or after Maghrib)
• Injections (non-nutritional): Don’t break the fast
• Insulin: Consult your doctor about adjusting timing

”Does using eye drops break the fast?”

No, according to most scholars, eye drops, ear drops, and nose drops (if nothing reaches the throat) don’t break the fast.

”Can I kiss my spouse while fasting?”

Light kissing is allowed but discouraged as it may lead to what breaks the fast. Scholars recommend avoiding passionate kissing.

”What if I get my period during fasting?”

Stop fasting immediately. You cannot fast while menstruating. Make up the missed days after Ramadan.

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Making Up Missed Fasts

When to Make Up:

• Anytime before next Ramadan
• Can be done consecutively or spread out
• Better to make up sooner

How to Make Up:

1. Make intention at night before
2. Fast from Fajr to Maghrib
3. Same rules as Ramadan fasting

Record Keeping:

Keep track of:

• How many days you missed
• Reason for missing
• Days you’ve made up

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Spiritual Goals of Fasting

Fasting is not just about hunger - it’s about:

1. Taqwa (God-consciousness) - “That you may attain Taqwa” (Quran 2:183)
2. Self-discipline - Training your desires
3. Empathy - Understanding hunger of the poor
4. Gratitude - Appreciating Allah’s blessings
5. Purification - Cleansing body and soul
6. Unity - Fasting with Muslims worldwide

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Ramadan 2026 Schedule

Event	Date
First day of fasting	February 18, 2026
Last 10 nights begin	March 9, 2026
Laylat al-Qadr (likely)	March 16-17, 2026
Last day of fasting	March 19, 2026
Eid al-Fitr	March 20, 2026

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Related Guides

• Iftar Countdown Timer - Track time until Maghrib
• Ramadan 2026 Calendar
• Fasting Times Calculator
• Ramadan Duas
• Taraweeh Guide
• New Muslim Ramadan Guide

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May Allah accept your fasting and make it a means of purification for you.

Last updated: January 9, 2026