Everyone knows that Ramadan is not only an important time for Muslims, but that is a time for fasting. Fasting helps Muslims deepen their relationship with Allah (SWT), teaches self-discipline and restraint and offers a chance to read and reflect on the Quran.

But if Ramadan lasts 30 days, there’s no way you can go that long without eating or drinking anything. So, when can you eat during Ramadan?

 

Some People Are Exempt

Even though fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam (Sawm), not everyone fasts because some are exempt from it, but always for good reasons. Those who are ill or elderly, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating, or young children.

Since these groups are exempt from fasting, they aren’t restricted by specific times like other Muslims. But for those who aren’t exempt, there are specific times you can and cannot eat during Ramadan.

 

Suhoor and Iftar

Suhoor and Iftar are the names of the main meals that are eaten throughout the month of Ramadan.

Since fasting during Ramadan only occurs between sunrise and sunset, Muslims break their fast and eat before dawn and after dusk. The meal at the start of the day is suhoor and the meal at the end is iftar.

But you always have to keep in mind the changing times of sunrise and sunset. Here in the UK, Ramadan is at a time when the days are getting longer – that means as time goes by, sunrise happens earlier and sunset happens later.

At the start of Ramadan, you need to eat before 6:40am, but by the end of Ramadan you’ll need to have eaten before 5:30am. All eating and drinking needs to have come to a close by sunrise and Fajr, the early morning prayer.

You can break your fast and eat after 7:45pm towards the start of Ramadan, but by the end you’ll have to keep fasting until 8:40pm.

 

Eid al-Fitr

At the end of the month of Ramadan, the fasting comes to a close. Once you see the sunset on the first night of the crescent moon, Ramadan is over and the new month, Shawwal, begins – this means it’s time for Eid al-Fitr! After the Salat, you’ll see Muslims from all over come together to celebrate the end of Ramadan by eating food. Now the fast is finally over, you can eat as much as you want, Alhamdulillah!

 

But remember, not all Muslims are able to feast on Eid al-Fitr. As lucky as some of us are, food poverty still affects millions around the world. But your kind and generous donations can change that. Make a Sadaqah today – click here to change the life of a Muslim child; help them celebrate Eid al-Fitr the way it should be celebrated.