Editing Fasting in Islam (section)

==Conditions==

===Intention ({{transliteration|ar|niyyah}})===
{{Main|Niyyah}}
"The intention ({{transliteration|ar|niyyah}}) means resolving to fast. It is essential to have the intention the night before, night by night, in Ramadaan."<ref>''Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah'', vol. 10, p. 246.</ref> For fasting, making the intention to fast is necessary.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramadanali |title=Fasting in Islam and the Month of Ramadan |date=January 2006 |publisher=Tughra Books |isbn=978-1932099942 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Og9RCwAAQBAJ&q=fast+islam+intention&pg=PT72}}</ref>

===General conditions===
Throughout the duration of the fast itself, Muslims will abstain from certain provisions that the Quran has otherwise allowed; namely eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse.<ref>{{Cite Quran|2|187|t=s}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hadith - Book of Fasting - Sunan Ibn Majah - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)|url=https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah/7/47|access-date=2020-12-26|website=sunnah.com}}</ref> This is in addition to the standard obligation already observed by Muslims of avoiding that which is not permissible under Quranic or [[Sharia|shari'a law]] (e.g. [[Gossip|ignorant]] and indecent speech, arguing and [[fighting]] and [[Lust|lustful thoughts]]). Without observing this standard obligation, the {{transliteration|ar|sawm}} is rendered useless and is seen simply as an act of starvation. Fasting should be a motive to be more benevolent to fellow creatures. [[Sadaqah|Charity]] to the poor and needy in this month is one of the most rewardable worships.

If one is sick, pregnant, menstruating, nursing, or traveling, one is considered exempt from fasting. Any fasts broken or missed due to sickness, pregnancy, [[menstruation]], nursing, or traveling are made up whenever the person is able before the next month of Ramadan. According to the Quran, for all other cases, not fasting is only permitted when the act is potentially dangerous to one's health – for example, those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant, or nursing are permitted to break the fast, but this must be made up by paying a {{transliteration|ar|[[fidyah]]}}, which is essentially the {{transliteration|ar|[[iftar]]}} and {{transliteration|ar|[[suhur]]}} for a fasting person who requires such financial help.<ref name=sawm>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamtomorrow.com/sawm.asp|title=Sawm: Fasting the Month of Ramadan|publisher=islamtomorrow.com}}</ref>

Muslim scholars have stated that observing the fast is forbidden for menstruating women. However, when a woman's period has ceased, she must bathe and continue fasting. Any fasts broken or missed due to menstruation must be made up whenever she can before the next month of Ramadan (not all Muslims believe missing fasts due to menstruation must be made up). Women must fast at times when not menstruating, as the Quran indicates that all religious duties are ordained for both men and women. The reason for this is because the Quran refers to menstruation as "Say: It is a discomfort (Menstruation)".{{clarify|reason=verse needed|date=May 2023}} According to Nouman Ali Khan, an Islamic speaker in the United States, the reason for this prohibition is because of the pain associated with it. A Muslim woman may still do {{transliteration|ar|dhikr}} (remembrance of Allah) and make {{transliteration|ar|dua}} (supplication to Allah) during this time.{{efn|[[Qur'an, 2:222]]}}<ref name="Chittick"/>

Fasting is obligatory for a person if they fulfill five conditions:<ref name="Chittick"/>

#They are Muslims;
#They are accountable (past the age of puberty);
#They are able to fast;
#They are settled (not traveling);
#There are no impediments to fasting such as sickness, extreme pain from injury, breastfeeding, or pregnancy.

===Breaking the fast and the consequences===
During Ramadan, if one unintentionally breaks the fast by eating or drinking, then they must continue fasting for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. Those who intentionally break the fast by eating or drinking, they have to make up for that and also repent. For breaking fast by having sexual intercourse, the consequences are:
# Free a slave, and if that is not possible,
# Fast for two consecutive {{transliteration|ar|Hijri}} (moon) months, and if that is not possible,
# Feed or clothe sixty people in need.

During voluntary fasts, if one unintentionally breaks the fast then they may continue for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. If one intentionally breaks the fast there is no sin on them, because it is only voluntary.<ref>Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 20</ref><ref>Narrated by al-Daaraqutni, no. 24; classed as Hasan by al-Haafiz in al-Fath, 4/210</ref>

===Breaking oaths and consequences===

If an oath is given and circumstances dictate that it must be broken (or if the one giving the oath deliberately breaks it), one must offer expiation ({{transliteration|ar|kaffara}}) by freeing a slave, or feeding or clothing ten needy people with the average of what is needed for one's own family, or if neither of those can be done then a fast for three days is prescribed instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://quran.com/5/89?translations=20|title=Surah Al-Ma'idah [5:89] - Al-Qur'an al-Kareem|access-date=September 4, 2017}}</ref>

=== Beginning and ending ===
[[File:Fasting.JPG|thumb|Ending the fast at a mosque]]

In accordance with traditions handed down from [[Muhammad]], Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called {{transliteration|ar|[[suhur]]}}. All eating and drinking must be finished before the {{transliteration|ar|adhan}} for {{transliteration|ar|[[fajr prayer|fajr]]}}, the pre-dawn call to prayer. Unlike the {{transliteration|ar|[[zuhr prayer|zuhr]]}} and the {{transliteration|ar|maghrib}} prayer, which have clear astronomical definitions (afternoon and after sunset), there are several definitions used in practice for the timing of "true dawn" ({{transliteration|ar|al-fajr al-ṣādiq}}), as mentioned in the [[hadith]]. These range from when the center of the Sun is 12 to 21 degrees below the horizon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-islam.org/beliefs/practices/fajr.html|title=Al-Fajr As-Sadiq: A New Perspective|work=Al-Islam.org|date=20 January 2013}}</ref> which equates to about 40 to 60 minutes before civil dawn. There are no restrictions on the morning meal other than those of [[Islamic dietary laws]]. After completing the {{transliteration|ar|suhur}}, Muslims recite the {{transliteration|ar|fajr}} prayer. No food or beverage can be taken after {{transliteration|ar|suhur}}. Water can enter the mouth, but not be swallowed, during {{transliteration|ar|[[wudu]]}}.

The meal eaten to end the fast is known as {{transliteration|ar|[[iftar]]}}. Muslims break the fast with dates and water before the {{transliteration|ar|maghrib}} prayer, after which they might eat a more wholesome meal.