Deenelio Quiz — Ramadan and Fasting

Key concepts

Ramadan and the purpose of fasting

Ramadan is the month of the obligatory month-long fast. The Quran describes fasting as a means of developing taqwa: awareness of Allah that guides a person’s choices and helps them avoid wrongdoing.
The Prophet warned fasting people to leave false speech and acting upon it. He also described the gates of Paradise as opening when Ramadan begins, encouraging believers to welcome the month with worship and good conduct.
The daily hours of fasting

The daily fast begins at true dawn and ends at sunset. During these hours, the fasting person abstains from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse, following the limits explained in Quran 2:187.
The start is dawn rather than sunrise. Understanding both ends of the fasting day helps a person arrange meals and worship around the correct times.
Suhur and breaking the fast

Suhur is the meal eaten before dawn. The Prophet encouraged it and described blessing in this meal, making it a meaningful part of preparation for the day’s fast.
Breaking the fast at sunset is commonly called iftar. The Prophet encouraged doing so promptly once the fast has ended, giving the fasting day a clear and welcoming conclusion.
Forgetfulness and missed days

Someone who eats or drinks forgetfully while fasting should continue the fast. The Prophet’s instruction treats this as forgetfulness rather than a deliberate decision to break it.
Quran 2:185 allows missed fasts because of temporary illness or travel to be made up later with an equal number of days. Aishah also reported that fasts missed during menstruation were made up afterwards.
Prayer during Ramadan’s nights

Standing in prayer during Ramadan’s nights is an encouraged form of worship. It creates time for recitation, remembrance, and focused devotion beyond the obligatory daily prayers.
The Prophet connected this night prayer, when performed with faith and hope for reward, with forgiveness. Ramadan thus offers opportunities for worship during both the day and the night.
Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr is a night of exceptional value: Quran 97:3 describes it as better than a thousand months. Its importance makes the final part of Ramadan a time for increased attention to worship.
The Prophet instructed believers to seek it during the odd nights of Ramadan’s last ten nights. This encourages sustained effort across those nights.
Itikaf in the last ten days

Itikaf is a devotional retreat associated with staying in a mosque for worship. Quran 2:187 mentions it in connection with mosques.
The Prophet regularly performed itikaf during Ramadan’s last ten days. Setting aside this time allowed focused worship during the same period in which believers seek Laylat al-Qadr.
Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Fasting on that day is prohibited, distinguishing the celebration from the month of daily fasting that has just ended.
Before going out for the Eid al-Fitr prayer, the Prophet ate dates. The occasion brings together worship, gratitude, and the joy of completing Ramadan.

Ramadan and Fasting

Key concepts

Further reading and resources