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when can muslims eat during ramadan

Muslims can eat during Ramadan only at night , from sunset (Maghrib) until dawn (Fajr); they do not eat or drink at all during daylight hours.

Basic rule: when you can eat

  • Fasting runs from true dawn to sunset; between those times, no food, drink, smoking, or oral medications.
  • Eating and drinking are allowed from sunset (Iftar time) until dawn (Suhoor time).
  • This pattern repeats every day for the whole month of Ramadan.

Key Ramadan mealtimes

  • Suhoor (pre-dawn meal):
    • Eaten shortly before dawn, just before the Fajr prayer time enters.
* Marks the _last_ time you can eat or drink before the day’s fast starts.
  • Iftar (sunset meal):
    • Eaten immediately after sunset, at Maghrib time, when the fast is broken.
* Traditionally starts with dates and water or milk, then a main meal.
  • Between Iftar and Suhoor , Muslims may eat, drink, and snack as they wish (in moderation).

Who doesn’t have to fast

Some Muslims are exempt from fasting or may delay it if it harms them:

  • Young children
  • Elderly people
  • Those who are ill
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Menstruating women
  • Travellers on long journeys

These groups either do not fast, make up missed fasts later, or give charity depending on their situation, following religious guidance.

Quick timing overview (conceptual)

  • Eat Suhoor → stop at dawn (Fajr) → fast all daylight → break fast at sunset (Maghrib) with Iftar → free to eat until Fajr again.

Local prayer timetables and apps are used to know the exact dawn and sunset times for each city and each day of Ramadan.

TL;DR: Muslims can eat before dawn (Suhoor) and after sunset (Iftar) until dawn ; from dawn to sunset, they do not eat or drink.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.