Who must fast, and who is excused
Fasting is due on every adult Muslim of sound mind.
Who is excused
| Who | What they do |
|---|---|
| Ill, and will recover | Make the days up later |
| Travelling | May fast; if not, make them up |
| Pregnant or nursing | Make them up, where fasting would harm |
| Monthly bleeding or after childbirth | Does not fast; makes the days up |
| Too old or permanently ill to ever fast | Not made up: feed one poor person for each day (fidya) |
Suhur and iftar
Eating before dawn is a sunnah with blessing in it, best taken late. Break the fast at once at sunset, with dates or water.
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُDhahaba az-zama’u wabtallati al-‘uruqu wa thabata al-ajru insha AllahThe thirst has gone, the veins are moist, and the reward is certain, if Allah wills.