Why Do Muslims Fast During Ramadan?
A command with a purpose
“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa” (Qur’an 2:183). Taqwa — awareness of God — is stated as the goal of the fast.
Five reasons Muslims give
- Obedience: fasting Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam (Sahih al-Bukhari 8).
- Self-discipline: giving up lawful things by choice trains the will against unlawful ones.
- Empathy: experiencing hunger builds real compassion for those who cannot choose to eat.
- Gratitude: the first sip at Iftar reframes ordinary food as a gift.
- Forgiveness: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward will have his previous sins forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari 38).
Not an endurance test
Islam exempts the ill, the traveller, the pregnant or nursing where there is harm, the menstruating woman and children before puberty. The Qur’an itself says: “Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you” (2:185).
Attribution: the rulings summarised here are the positions recorded in the classical schools and the well known hadith collections. They are presented for information, not as a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar in your community.
Frequently asked questions
Do children fast?
Fasting becomes obligatory at puberty. Younger children often fast part of a day as practice, with their parents’ encouragement and care for their health.
What if someone cannot fast at all?
Those with a permanent inability feed a poor person for each day (fidya), based on Qur’an 2:184.