What can break the fast?
If a person intentionally eats, drinks, or engages in intimate relations before the time of breaking the fast, this is considered a violation of the fast and is a serious sin. In such a case, it is necessary to perform qaza (making up) and to make atonement (kaffara).
Kaffara (atonement) for intentional violation of the fast includes freeing a slave, continuous fasting for 60 days, or feeding 60 poor people. In the case of accidental violation, it is only necessary to make up the missed day (qaza).
Missed days of Ramadan can be made up either consecutively or separately. Substituting fasting with fidya payment is not allowed, except in cases of serious illness or advanced age. If the next Ramadan arrives and the debts from the previous one are not settled, the current fast is observed first, and then the missed days are made up.
- The fast is not broken if a fly, smoke, or dust accidentally enters the throat. However, if this happens intentionally, the fast is considered broken.
- Smoking tobacco or hookah, as well as intentional inhalation of vapors, breaks the fast.
- If food or meat remains in the teeth, swallowing it is assessed by size: if it is equal to or larger than a pea, the fast is broken; if smaller, it is not. However, if it is removed and swallowed again, the fast is broken regardless of size.
- Swallowing saliva or phlegm does not break the fast.
- If water accidentally enters the throat during ablution, the fast is broken, and it is necessary to make up one day (qaza), without the need for kaffara.
- Involuntary vomiting does not break the fast, but intentional vomiting with a full mouth is considered a violation; if there is a lot of vomit, the fast is broken.
- Swallowing inedible objects (coins, stones, paper, etc.) also breaks the fast, for which qaza must be performed.
- Intentional consumption of food, drink, or medicine breaks the fast, requiring both qaza and kaffara.
- Intimate relations during fasting break it, requiring both qaza and kaffara. However, hugging, kissing, and caressing one’s wife do not break the fast, although such actions may be undesirable (makruh) if there is a risk of intimate relations.
- Using snuff, putting medicine in the ears, or using an enema also breaks the fast, and in these cases, only a day must be made up (qaza).
- If there is bleeding from the gums and it is swallowed, the fast is broken, but if the blood is not noticeable and is minimal, the fast is not broken.
What is considered makruh (undesirable)?
- Tasting something and spitting it out does not break the fast, but doing this without necessity is not recommended (makruh).
- Chewing food for a child in one’s mouth is considered makruh, but it is permissible in cases of necessity.
- Using a miswak does not break the fast, but using toothpaste is considered makruh.
- If someone’s fast is broken during the day of Ramadan, they should not openly eat or drink until sunset.
- Breaking the fast should be done on time; delaying the time of breaking the fast is considered makruh.
What to do if one eats out of forgetfulness?
If a person completely forgets about their fast and eats or drinks, then remembers, the fast is not broken, and they should continue. However, if after this they think that the fast is broken and continue to eat intentionally, then the fast will indeed be broken. In this case, only qaza is required, without the need for kaffara.
How to properly perform suhoor, iftar, and when do timing errors break the fast?
- Suhoor is a sunnah that brings blessings. Even if there is no appetite, it is advisable to eat at least a couple of dates and drink a little water.
- It is better to break the fast (iftar) with dates; if there are none, then with fruits, sweets, or just water.
- If a person eats, believing that the time for suhoor has not yet passed, but it has already ended, they should continue the day as a fasting person, but this day will not be counted. It will need to be made up (qaza) later. The same applies if the fast is broken mistakenly thinking that the sun has already set. Kaffara is not required in such cases.
- Abstaining from food and drink without intention is not considered fasting.
How do the sick and travelers observe fasting?
- If a person falls ill during fasting or if their health is threatened to worsen by fasting, they may break it and make up (qaza) on other days.
- A traveler is recommended to fast if it does not harm their health, as Ramadan is a blessed time.
- If a traveler or sick person dies without having made up missed days, this is not required.
- If the sick person recovers and the traveler returns, but they die before making up the fast, this becomes obligatory (through will or fidya).
How should women observe fasting during pregnancy, menstruation, and postpartum period?
- Pregnant and nursing women may not fast if it threatens their health or the health of the child. However, they are obliged to make up these days later, as paying fidya does not replace fasting.
- During menstruation, a woman stops fasting and is obliged to make up the missed days (qaza) later.
- A woman does not fast during the postpartum cleansing period (nifas), and these days must also be made up later. Sharia exempts women from making up missed prayers (namaz) during these periods, but not from fasting.
