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 provides Muslims with the opportunity to strengthen their faith and their relationship with Allah (SWT). It is a busy period filled with worship and charitable acts, including the most significant, which is fasting.

Fasting during Ramadan is a core practice 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 our guide to help prepare you for the holy month and have a deeper understanding of the importance of fasting and why it’s so vital for the month.

Why Do We Fast in the Month of Ramadan?

To understand why we fast in Ramadan, you need to know how both fasting and Ramadan started. The holy month focuses on fasting as an act of worship, alongside other vital acts of worship, such as prayer, reflection and charity. The reason why the month is dedicated to these acts is that it’s all about showing devotion to Allah (SWT) to connect more closely to Him.

Fasting throughout the month requires Muslims to refrain from eating and drinking between the hours of sunrise and sunset. This frees up time during the day to recite the Quran, spend time in acts of worship and strengthen the relationship with Allah (SWT).

Both fasting and Ramadan go all the way back to 610 AD, which is when Islam began. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) meditated in the cave of Hira and was visited by the angel Jibril, who revealed the first words of the Quran in the month of Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was told that Allah (SWT) is the one and only God, which began Islam and its core values.

It’s believed that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) continued to receive teachings from Allah (SWT) over 23 years. He then continued to pass on these revelations and teachings to his 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.

Muslims 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.

Benefits and Advantages of Fasting in Islam

Fasting at any time of the Islamic year can bring benefits to Muslims. However, partaking in Ramadan fasting can bring even bigger benefits. It allows Muslims to improve 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 during Ramadan 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 for Fasting in Ramadan

It’s essential for Muslims to prepare for fasting in Ramadan. Doing this can help make the hours of abstaining from food and drink easier, as well as complete more acts of worship during the day. If there is no real preparation in place, fasting for a month can become a bit difficult. Preparation is also essential because it allows Muslims to properly partake in the holy month, so that they can reap the blessings and rewards that Ramadan offers.

As Ramadan 2027 is expected to occur on 8th of February, depending on the sighting of the moon, Muslims all over the world must start to prepare for the holy month as early as possible. Preparing mentally, spiritually and physically in enough time before Ramadan begins allows you to easily and correctly observe Ramadan fasting throughout the whole month.

How to Prepare Mentally and Spiritually

There are multiple ways 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 gossiping, backbiting and idle talk, so that you won’t be tempted during Ramadan. Focus on 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’s 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 Fasting in Ramadan

There are various ways you can prepare for fasting in Ramadan that focus on getting your body ready for abstaining from food and drink. These 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 lead-up 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. Ramadan fasting rules determine that certain groups of people are not expected to fast throughout the month. 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 they aren’t required to fast. When a child reaches an age where they can start trying to fast, they should gradually prepare and be encouraged to fast. This age can be as young as ten years old, according to some scholars.

The elderly who are frail and more likely to have poor health are also exempt from Ramadan fasting. 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 are exempt from Ramadan fasting. 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 Your Fast During Ramadan

It can be difficult to know what to do if you break your 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 applies. 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 during 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 during which a woman has completed her fast. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can break their fast if it’s too hard for them or if it 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 afterwards.
• 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 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 the Dua for 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].

The Dua for Suhoor

“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.

The Dua for Iftar

“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.”

When you prepare for fasting in Ramadan, it’s all about readiness - spiritually, mentally, and physically. With this Ramadan Fasting Guide by Emaan Relief, you can be fully prepared for Ramadan to maximise its blessings. It’s important to remember that Ramadan is more than fasting; it’s a time for self-improvement and reconnecting with 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 Sadaqah or Zakat to Emaan Relief to make a lasting impact on the lives of the less fortunate.