The Complete Ramadan Guide — Everything You Need to Know

Ramadan (رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest month of the year for Muslims worldwide. It is the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and it is the month of fasting — one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Allah says in the Quran:

"The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it..."
— Quran 2:185

The Three Stages of Ramadan

Scholars divide Ramadan into three parts of ten days each, based on a hadith:

First 10 days — Mercy (Rahmah): The opening of Allah's mercy
Middle 10 days — Forgiveness (Maghfirah): The time to seek forgiveness
Final 10 days — Freedom from Hellfire ('Itq min al-Nar): The most precious period, including Laylatul Qadr

The Rules of Fasting

Who Must Fast?

Fasting is obligatory for every adult Muslim (post-puberty) who is:

Mentally capable
Not travelling
Not ill (where fasting would cause harm)
Not pregnant or breastfeeding
Not menstruating or experiencing post-natal bleeding

What Breaks the Fast?

The following intentionally break the fast and require a qada (make-up) fast:

Eating or drinking
Sexual intercourse
Taking medication orally

The following break the fast intentionally and require qada AND kaffarah (expiation):

Sexual intercourse (kaffarah: free a slave, or fast 60 consecutive days, or feed 60 poor people)

What Does NOT Break the Fast

Rinsing the mouth without swallowing
Showering or swimming (without swallowing)
Using eye drops or eardrops
Injections (other than nutritional IV drips)
Involuntary swallowing (saliva, etc.)
Forgetting and eating or drinking (make up intentions and continue — it does not need to be made up)

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever forgets he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who fed him and gave him drink." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal)

Suhoor is the meal eaten before the Fajr prayer begins. It is sunnah — highly recommended. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is a blessing." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Best foods for suhoor: slow-release carbohydrates (oats, whole grains), protein (eggs, dairy), dates, and plenty of water.

Suhoor time: Ends at the start of the Fajr prayer (dawn). Stop eating as soon as you hear the Fajr adhan.

Iftar (Breaking the Fast)

Iftar is the meal at sunset, breaking the fast. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The people will continue to be fine as long as they hasten to break the fast." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Sunnah of iftar:

Break the fast immediately at the time of Maghrib — do not delay
Break the fast with dates and water, as the Prophet ﷺ did
Recite the dua: "Allahumma laka sumtu wa bika amantu wa 'alayka tawakkaltu wa 'ala rizqika aftartu"

Tarawih Prayer

Tarawih (تراويح) is the special nightly prayer performed only during Ramadan, after the Isha prayer. It is sunnah mu'akkadah (confirmed sunnah).

Typically 8 or 20 rak'ahs (both are valid — follow your local mosque)
Performed in sets of 2 rak'ahs at a time
Often includes a recitation of the entire Quran over the 30 nights
Can be prayed at the mosque with the congregation or alone at home

The Last 10 Nights — Laylatul Qadr

The last 10 nights of Ramadan are the most precious nights of the entire year. Among them is Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر — the Night of Power/Decree), which is better than 1,000 months (83+ years) of worship:

"The Night of Power is better than a thousand months."
— Quran 97:3

When is Laylatul Qadr?

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The strongest opinion is that it is the 27th night, but scholars emphasise seeking it on all odd nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th) since we are not certain of the exact night.

What to Do in the Last 10 Nights

Increase Quran recitation
Increase du'a (supplication) — especially the dua the Prophet ﷺ taught Aisha RA:
"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni"
(O Allah, You are the Pardoner and You love to pardon, so pardon me)
Make i'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque) for the last 10 nights
Give extra sadaqah (charity)
Pray Qiyam al-layl (night prayer) in abundance

Zakat Al-Fitr (Charity before Eid)

Before the Eid Al-Fitr prayer, every Muslim is obligated to pay Zakat Al-Fitr — a small charitable payment made on behalf of every member of the household. It purifies the fasting person's fast and provides food for the poor to celebrate Eid.

Amount: Equivalent to approximately 2–3 kg of staple food (rice, wheat, dates, etc.) per person, or its monetary equivalent. This is typically around £5–£10 per person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use toothpaste while fasting?
It is allowed but discouraged (makruh) because of the risk of accidentally swallowing some. Using a miswak (tooth stick) is better.

Q: Can I have blood taken while fasting?
Blood tests and other medical blood draws do not break the fast.

Q: What if Ramadan falls in summer (very long fasting hours)?
You fast according to the times of the country you are in. Even in countries with 18–20 hour fasts, the obligation remains. If it causes severe hardship or health risks, consult a scholar about options.

Q: Can children fast?
Children before puberty are not obligated to fast. Many parents encourage children to try partial fasting as training.