How to Prepare for Fasting in Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is one of the holiest months in Islam and is a time for giving, reflecting and fasting. Ramadan gives Muslims the opportunity to strengthen their faith and their relationship to Allah (SWT). It is a busy period filled with worship and charitable acts, including the most significant which is fasting.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the core practices in Islam and allows Muslims to fulfil the fourth pillar of Islam which is Sawm (fasting). Ramadan fasting isn’t only about abstaining from food. There are specific rules to follow to ensure the fast is valid and it takes Muslims time to prepare for fasting to ensure their mind, soul and body are ready.

Discover how to prepare for fasting in Ramadan with Emaan Relief to help you understand the importance of fasting, why it needs to be done and be fully prepared for the holy month.

Why do we fast in Ramadan? 

To understand the question of why do we fast in Ramadan, it is important to know how fasting and Ramadan began. The significant month marks a period of fasting, reflection and devotion to Allah (SWT). Muslims abstain from eating and drinking between sunrise and sunset, using their time to recite the Quran and strengthen their relationship with Allah (SWT).

Fasting and Ramadan date back to 610 AD which is when Islam began. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) meditated in the cave of Hira and was visited by the angel Jibril who revealed the first words of the Quran. Muhammad (PBUH) was told that Allah (SWT) is the one and only God, which began Islam and its core values.

It is believed that Muhammad (PBUH) continued to receive teachings from Allah (SWT) over 23 years, and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) passed these revelations and teachings on to the people. One of these revelations included the Five Pillars of Islam, with one being Sawm (fasting). The other four pillars are Shahada (profession of faith), Salat (praying), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). These pillars influenced the core principles and values of Islam and created Ramadan where Muslims fast for the month.

Simply, we fast because it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is a core value and act of worship to strengthen the bond with Allah (SWT) and please Him. Plus, fulfilling these pillars brings immense rewards to Muslims.

Benefits of fasting in Islam 

Ramadan and fasting bring immense benefits to Muslims. It enhances them spiritually, physically and mentally.

In a spiritual aspect, Ramadan gives multiple blessings. The act of fasting elevates Muslims' connection to Allah (SWT) and allows them to gain a pure heart. Some of these spiritual benefits are:

• Connecting to Allah (SWT)
• Increasing Taqwa (consciousness of Allah SWT)
• Higher reward in the afterlife.

Fasting goes beyond spiritual benefits as Muslims can reap physical rewards and gain a better mental state. These mental and physical rewards can be:

• Detox from toxins and create a new digestion
• Improved mood and inner peace
• Weight loss
• Balanced, healthy diet
• Decreases stress
• Lower cholesterol and positive heart health
• Reduced anxiety is achieved via forgiveness and reflection.

How to prepare to fast for Ramadan 

It is essential for Muslims to understand how to prepare to fast for Ramadan. If there’s no proper preparation, fasting for a month can have huge negative effects on the body, mind and soul. Preparation is also key to enable Muslims to correctly partake in the holy month so that they can reap the blessings and rewards that Ramadan brings.

As Ramadan in 2025 is drawing near, Muslims all over the world are preparing for the holy month. Ramadan is expected to occur on 28th of February, depending on the sighting of the moon. It is time to prepare mentally, spiritually and physically to enable you to correctly fast and observe Ramadan.

How to prepare mentally/spiritually 

There are multiple ways on how to prepare mentally and spiritually for the significant month. To be mentally and spiritually ready, Muslims should:

• Set spiritual goals: Ramadan is a time to be close to Allah (SWT) and setting spiritual goals to achieve this is vital. Muslims should establish a daily routine of Quran recitation, increase supplications and perform Dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
• Avoid gossip and idle talk: Fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food and drink, but it’s also about avoiding negative habits. Get into the habit of avoiding gossip, backbiting and idle talk to not be tempted during Ramadan. Foster goodwill and sincerity in every interaction to purify the heart and tongue.
• Be in a state of Wudu: Being spiritually prepared involves maintaining cleanliness. Being in a state of Wudu (ablution) ensures physical purity and helps Muslims to remain spiritually connected.
• Plan acts of charity: During Ramadan, giving to charity is one of the most rewarding things to do. Donating Zakat or Sadaqah in this month brings immeasurable rewards. Set donation funds aside and choose a trustworthy organisation, such as Emaan Relief, for your contributions to reach the needy.
• Create a routine for Dhikr: Preparing for the holy month includes being mindful of Allah (SWT). Give various moments in your day to immerse in Dhikr by reciting “Alhamdulillah”, “SubhanAllah”, and “Allahu Akbar”.
• Make a Dua list: Make a list of personal and communal prayers to do during Ramadan. It is the month of mercy, so be sure to ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness, blessings and guidance. Pray for the less fortunate and make this a priority.

How to prepare your body for Ramadan fasting 

There are various ways that achieve how to prepare your body for Ramadan fasting and are essential for Muslims to prevent their body from struggling during the holy month. These ways can be:

• Focus on health: Adjust your diet and sleep schedule to ease into the transition of Ramadan. Eat smaller, healthier meals and gradually cut down on sugar and caffeine. Keep hydrated to prepare your body for long hours of fasting.
• Fast before Ramadan: Try to fast once a week in the leadup to Ramadan to prepare the body and mind. It is Sunnah to fast on Mondays and Thursdays so choose one of those.
• Create an exercise routine: Tailor an exercise routine that suits you and considers fasting times. Get the body ready with daily exercise and ensure you schedule it for either after fasting or find fasting-friendly exercises that you can continue in the month of Ramadan.
• Plan activities to do with the family: Ramadan is a month for togetherness. Plan family activities to do during the month. This could be preparing meals for Suhoor and Iftar, attending community prayers, or hosting Quran study sessions.

Who is exempt from fasting during Ramadan? 

Every Muslim should abide by the Five Pillars of Islam, including Sawm, but there are some people who are exempt. So, who is exempt from fasting during Ramadan? Well, certain groups of people are not expected to fast in Ramadan. The main group of people exempt are children who are below the age of puberty. This is because their bodies are small and need constant nourishment. Plus, they can find it hard to abide by the fasting rules at a young age so aren’t required to fast. When a child reaches an age where they can start to try fasting, they should gradually prepare and be encouraged to fast. This age can be from ten years old, according to some scholars.

The elderly who are frail and more likely to have poor health are also exempt from fasting during Ramadan. In fact, anyone who is in ill health, undergoing medical treatment or on essential medication is permitted to miss fasting to nurse their bodies back to full health.

There are three rules for women that can exempt them from fasting during Ramadan. These are if she is menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding. Those who are travelling are also exempt and can break their fast as travelling is taxing on the mind and body.

If someone doesn’t fit into any of these exemption rules, then they must fast for the month of Ramadan.

What to do if you break fast during Ramadan 

It can be difficult to know what to do if you break fast during Ramadan. There are many rules surrounding breaking the fast for various reasons and what needs to be done depending on the situation.

For those who are exempt from fasting, one of two rules apply. These people either need to make up the missed days of fasting at another time in the year or pay Fidya if they can’t fast at a later date. Fidya is a compulsory donation that Muslims who are exempt from fasting must pay if they have no hope of regaining strength to make up for the missed fasts.

Muslims can unintentionally break the fast or intentionally break the fast too. This is when they consume any water or food during daylight hours which instantly breaks fasting. As well as this, Muslims can break the fast through impure behaviours in daylight hours, such as arguing, swearing, or sexual activity.

There are some factors that can cause a Muslim to break their fast unintentionally, especially for women. These are:

• Menstruation, breastfeeding and pregnancy: If a woman begins to menstruate, she must end her fast. As this is unintentional it doesn’t invalidate the days which a woman has completed her fast. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can break their fast if it’s too hard for them or can harm the health of the baby.
• Forgetfulness: If a Muslim forgets that they are fasting and eats or drinks something by mistake, their fast isn’t invalid. They can continue to fast for Ramadan when they realise their error.
• Vomiting: Unintentional vomiting also doesn’t break the fast for a Muslim. They can continue fasting afterward.
• Brushing teeth: Brushing teeth won’t break a fast as long as there is a conscious effort to not swallow the toothpaste or water.

For unintentional breaking of the fast, Muslims can continue fasting during Ramadan if they can or choose another time in the year to fast.

Those who intentionally break the fast by eating or drinking something on purpose, in the full knowledge that they should be fasting, must either fast for an additional 60 continuous days or pay Kaffarah.

Dua for fasting in Ramadan

There are multiple Dua’s for fasting in Ramadan that Muslims can recite at different points throughout the day. Dua should be done daily throughout Ramadan to strengthen the relationship with Allah (SWT), purify the heart and soul, and grow spiritually.

Reciting Dua before Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) is vital as it’s a time when prayers are accepted and Allah (SWT) listens intently. This is a great time to seek Allah’s (SWT) guidance and forgiveness so make heartfelt supplications for yourself and others. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “The pre-dawn meal is blessed, so do not neglect it even if one of you takes a sip of water.” [Sahih al-Bukhari].

Before closing the fast, it is ideal to recite a Suhoor Dua to Allah (SWT) The Dua to say when closing the fast at Suhoor is:

“Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan.”

This means:

“I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”

Another essential time to make Dua is before breaking your fast at the Iftar meal. You should raise your hands in Dua and ask Allah (SWT) to forgive your sins, strengthen your faith and provide you with patience and gratitude. It is also the perfect time to pray for those in need or who are facing hardship too.

A Dua to recite for Iftar is:

“Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa ‘alayka tawakkaitu wa ‘ala rizq-ika-aftartu.”

This means:

“O Allah, I fasted for You, and I believe in You, and I put my trust in You, and with Your sustenance, I break my fast.”

How to prepare to fast for Ramadan is all about readiness, spiritually, mentally, and physically. With this guide from Emaan Relief, you can be fully prepared for Ramadan to maximise its blessings. It is important to remember that Ramadan is more than fasting, it’s a time for self-improving and reconnecting to Allah (SWT).

Enrich the lives of those in need, as well as building your own spiritual journey, by giving back to the needy. Donate your Zakat or Sadaqah to Emaan Relief to make a lasting impact on the lives of the less fortunate.