Ramadan is a time of reflection, charity and fasting, one that muslim home care services will do their utmost to ensure you can undertake as long as it is safe to do so.
Much as we help elderly people with their care needs through full-time domiciliary care or respite services, we also help them to observe Ramadan.
What Happens During Ramadan?
Ramadan is one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar, dedicated to fasting whilst the sun is up, prayers, acts of charity and an intense reflection and spiritual focus. It is believed to be the year that the Quran was first unveiled, and its teachings began to be practised.
Whilst not quite the same, it is similar in significance to the period of Lent in Catholicism, and there is a degree of overlap between the two in terms of spiritual preparation and even timing.
The biggest and most important part of Ramadan for most adult muslims is Sawm, the Fourth Pillar of Islam that requires them to fast from sunrise to sunset every day of Ramadan.
Fasting means that from the dawn prayer (Fajr) up until the fast is broken at the sunset prayer (Maghrib), muslims must avoid:
- Intentional eating.
- Intentional drinking.
- Intimate relations.
- Deliberate vomiting.
- Anger, lying and fighting; whilst they do not break the fast, they reduce the spiritual reward for doing so.
When Does Ramadan Start?
According to the Islamic calendar, the beginning of Ramadan coincides with the end of Shaban, the eighth month of the calendar. Ramadan is the ninth month of 12 and is between 29 and 30 days long.
As the calendar that dictates the start of Ramadan is based on the phases of the moon, the day upon which Ramadan starts changes relative to the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, it begins when the crescent moon is sighted on 17th February 2026.
When Does Ramadan End?
Similarly, Ramadan ends with the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Hijri calendar, as celebrated by the feast of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast.
The end of Ramadan is typically the first sighting of a crescent moon on either the evening of 18th March or the morning of 19th March 2026.
Do You Have To Fast During Ramadan?
Fasting is the most important part of Ramadan, but Islam is aware that not everyone is physically able to do so. Whilst anyone who can should, there are a lot of reasons why that is simply not possible, particularly for people in a care setting.
Ultimately, anyone who is being treated for a medical condition should discuss doing so with their carers, healthcare team, doctor and imam. However, the British Islamic Medical Association has developed a compendium of advice to help doctors understand whether fasting is a good idea.
The typical alternative to fasting if you are unable to and are not expected to ever be able to is fidya, which is either donating meals or money to provide meals to people who are less fortunate. Traditionally, this is the value of 2kg of wheat, although a scholar will be able to explain how much.
Some people want to attempt to fast regardless, so many people in care will often partially fast or fast for a few days under careful observation.
Valid Reasons For Breaking The Fast
- People who are sick for whom fasting would make their illness worse. In fact, it is makruh (discouraged but not forbidden) to fast if doing so puts one’s life at risk.
- People are on a long journey (usually defined in Islam as over 48 miles) and therefore cannot fulfil their prayers and obligations.
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, because doing so may cause harm to the baby.
- Women who are menstruating, although they will be expected to make up the days they have not fasted.
- Children below the age of puberty do not fast during Ramadan, although some practice in order to get ready to do so.
- People who are old enough to where fasting becomes difficult can observe Ramadan in other ways.
- People with mental illnesses that affect their ability to understand fasting.
- People who are starving or thirsty to the point that they are risking serious health complications, such as someone who passed out due to dehydration and drank enough water to restore themselves.
- People who are compelled to do so against their will.
- Any other reason which has a good cause.
What Does Not Break The Fast?
- Non-nutritional injections.
- Eye drops.
- Blood tests.
- Swallowing saliva.
- Brushing your teeth or using a miswak stick.
- Taking a shower.
- Bathing.
- Feeling hungry.
- Anything unintentional; breaking the fast must be an intentional act.
How Can We Help Support Clients During Ramadan?
As Ramadan involves changing meal times to before sunrise and after sunset, with food and water avoided during that time, it can be a huge change in the typical routine of most people in care.
We can help adapt our care times and structures to enable a muslim practising Sawm to do so respectfully and mindful of their health.
How We Can Help Clients Who Choose To Fast
- Respecting Suhoor and Iftar – We help to plan around eating windows so you can have a nutritious, healthy meal and any medications you need before sunrise or after sunset.
- Providing Opportunities To Rest And Relax – Fasting can leave people drained, so we offer opportunities for restful, contemplative and enjoyably quiet activities.
- Helping Facilitate Imam Consultations – We can help with the arrangement of meetings with scholars to help with any concerns and ensure any muslim can practice Sawm safely and in keeping with muslim teachings.
- Be Mindful Of Adverse Symptoms – Fasting is usually either safe or not attempted, but if there are any problems, our care team is at hand to react and ensure our clients are safe.
- Explore Medication Adjustments – Regular medication typically needs to be taken at certain times, but where possible, these will be adjusted to allow them to be taken pre-sunrise or post-sunset.
- Ensure That Clients Can Pray In Peace And Privacy – Prayer is inherently personal, so we offer a quiet moment to allow for dignified reflection.
