Fasting during Ramadan is Islam's third pillar and obligatory for able, sane, adult Muslims. The purpose centres on attaining Taqwa — God-consciousness functioning as a shield or protective barrier against displeasing Allah. Taqwa means obeying Allah's commands and avoiding His prohibitions. Fasting is multidimensional, interconnecting physical and spiritual dimensions. By physically refraining from food, drink, and relations, Muslims exercise spiritual discipline. Resisting desires strengthens the heart and creates heightened God-awareness. Fasting promotes patience, discipline, and purity of mind while increasing righteous conduct.

Ramadan dates follow the lunar Islamic calendar, beginning with new moon sighting and ending similarly. The Prophet ﷺ instructed: “Do not fast (for Ramadan) before the coming of the month until you sight the moon or complete the number (of thirty days); then fast until you sight the moon.” For 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin Wednesday evening, 18 February and end Friday, 20 March 2026.

Fasting requires first making an intention. The obligation involves refraining from eating, drinking, and marital relations from dawn to sunset. Anything entering the body — including inhaled smoke and medication — nullifies the fast. The prophetic practice involves eating a light Suhoor pre-dawn meal, then beginning the fast at Fajr. Muslims break their fast at sunset (Maghrib prayer) upon hearing the call to prayer (Athan). Following sunnah guidance, it's recommended breaking fast with dates/water before the main meal (Iftar).

Breaking the fast divides into two categories: ingested items and actions expelling bodily fluids. Ingested items that break the fast include eating, drinking, medicine, injections, pills, transfusions, and kidney dialysis. Actions that break the fast include sexual intercourse, masturbation, menstruation, deliberate vomiting, and postnatal bleeding. Cupping and blood donation have differing scholarly opinions.

Menstruating women cannot fast during menstruation but must make up missed days after Ramadan. This represents general guidance; consult your local trusted Islamic scholar for specific circumstances.

If you sincerely forgot and accidentally ate or drank while fasting, the fast remains unbroken. Continue fasting — no makeup day is required. The Prophet ﷺ stated: “Whoever eats out of forgetfulness while fasting, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah Who has fed him and given him to drink.” However, intentional eating or drinking breaks the fast. Once conscious of fasting and swallowing food, the fast becomes void.

Ramadan's blessings come through increasing Allah-guided practices: intensifying prayers like Taraweeh and Tahajud, engaging daily supplications (dua), increasing generosity through charity (sadaqah), and displaying kindness toward fellow humans. Ramadan is the Qur'an month — an opportunity reconnecting with the Holy book. The entire Qur'an is commonly recited during night congregational prayers (Taraweeh). Allah stated: “Ramadan is the (month) in which the Qur'an was sent down, as a guide to mankind.” Additional sunnahs include improving family relations, spiritual mosque retreat (itikaf) in the final ten nights, breaking others' fasts, eating Suhur, and hastening to break fast after Maghrib.

Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Decree/Power) is the most blessed night in the Islamic calendar. It is the night when the Qur'an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Jibreel in the cave of Hira. Allah describes this night in Surah Al-Qadr: “Indeed, We sent it [the Qur'an] down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (97:1-3)

This means worship performed on this single night is more valuable than worship performed for over 83 years. The angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) descend during this night by Allah's permission, and there is peace until the emergence of dawn. The Prophet's wife Aishah (RA) asked him what supplication she should make if she found Laylatul Qadr, and he taught her: “O Allah, You are the One Who pardons, and You love to pardon, so pardon me.” (Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni)

The exact date of Laylatul Qadr is hidden, but the Prophet ﷺ instructed Muslims to seek it during the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th). Many scholars consider the 27th night most likely, but it could fall on any of the odd nights. Muslims are encouraged to increase worship, prayer, Qur'an recitation, and supplication during all of the last ten nights to ensure they catch this blessed night.

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and an obligatory act of worship for every Muslim who meets the minimum threshold (nisab). The word “Zakat” comes from the Arabic root meaning “to purify” and “to grow.” It purifies one's wealth and soul from greed and attachment to worldly possessions, while simultaneously growing blessings and reward from Allah.

Allah commands in the Qur'an: “Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.” (9:103) Zakat is calculated at 2.5% of one's total savings and wealth held for one lunar year, provided it exceeds the nisab threshold. It serves as a system of social welfare in Islam, ensuring wealth circulates throughout society and reaches those most in need.

The Qur'an specifies eight categories of eligible Zakat recipients: the poor (al-fuqara), the needy (al-masakin), Zakat administrators, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing captives, debtors, in the cause of Allah, and the stranded traveller. Many Muslims choose to pay their Zakat during Ramadan to multiply their rewards, as good deeds carry greater weight during this blessed month.