7 things you need to know about the fasting month, Ramadan

Ramadan will soon be upon Muslims - and we're talking about in a matter of hours, since it starts tomorrow in Singapore.

If you're not familiar with the concept of Ramadan, it's the period before Hari Raya Aidilfitri where Muslims are required to fast for a whole month.

During the holy month, Muslims are advised to stay away from sinful behaviour, including swearing, talking behind others' back and other actions that have ill intentions.

If you have Muslim colleagues or just want to know more about the fasting month, scroll the gallery to find out more.

You don't have to stop talking about food around your Muslim colleagues

Just because they can't eat, it doesn't mean they can't talk about food.

If your Muslim colleagues tell you that they're not allowed to speak of food, they're either trying to pull a fast one on you, or they're trying to minimise temptations because let's be real, talking about food can make you feel hungry. 

It's not a must to eat before dawn

Some people don't do well with breakfast and if you can tahan till dawn without eating or drinking anything, you really don't have to wake up before to have your predawn meal, known as sahur.

However, you need to remember to say your prayer the night before your fast to be valid.

You can't forget your prayers

There's a specific prayer you have to say after having your sahur. What if you forget to say the prayer until the cut-off time? Your fast will be considered void, unfortunately. 

There are no fast days for women

Women are exempted from fasting when they're on their period - in the same way they can't do their daily prayers when it's that time of the month.

The exemption also extends to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those who are ill or old.

However, while you're absolutely prohibited to fast when you're on your period, the others can continue to fast if they feel up for it.

 You need to pay back what you owe

If you're wondering why some of your colleages are fasting even when it's not the fasting month, there could be two reasons: they're doing it voluntarily to accumulate reward, or as a "pay back" for the number of days they didn't fast.

This debt can be repaid after the fasting month, and before the next one the following year, save for a few prohibited days.

You have to break fast at a specific time

It's recommended that you break your fast during dusk.

If you're commuting, you can drink a sip of water or eat a sweet to break your fast.

While your fast won't be considered void if you fail to do it, it is not advisable. But no, you can't break fast any time before dusk. 

There's no such thing as a half-day fast

Fasting is not like taking annual leave - you can't just decide that you'll fast for half a day.

Yes, there are kids who do that, but it's a way of getting them used to the idea of fasting. But you can't do this as an adult, unless you're a recent convert who is fasting for the first time.