Ramadan fasting rules:

*Obligations*

1. *Intention*: Declare intention (niyyah) to fast before dawn.
2. *Fasting period*: Abstain from food, drink, and intimate relations from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib).
3. *Validity*: Fast must be observed during Ramadan’s lunar month.

*Exemptions*

1. *Travelers*: Temporary exemption for travelers, but makeup fasts later.
2. *Pregnant/nursing women*: Exempt if health risks exist, but makeup fasts later.
3. *Illness*: Exempt if health risks exist, but makeup fasts later.
4. *Menstruating women*: Exempt during menstruation, but resume fasting afterward.
5. *Elderly/disabled*: Permanent exemption, but pay fidya (charity) instead.
6. *Children*: Exempt until reaching puberty.

*Prohibited Acts*

1. *Eating/drinking*: Consuming food, drinks, and medications.
2. *Intimate relations*: Sexual relations during fasting hours.
3. *Smoking*: Prohibited during fasting.
4. *Swallowing*: Swallowing intentionally (e.g., saliva, water while rinsing mouth).

*Permitted Acts*

1. *Water/gargling*: Rinsing mouth, washing face without swallowing.
2. *Injections/medications*: Injected medications, eye drops, and ear drops.
3. *Vomiting*: Involuntary vomiting doesn’t break fast.
4. *Menstrual bleeding*: Doesn’t invalidate fast, but resume fasting after purification.

*Breaking Fast*

1. *Sunset*: Break fast immediately after Maghrib prayer.
2. *Iftar*: Eat/drink something before Maghrib prayer.

*Makeup Fasts*

1. *Missed fasts*: Makeup missed fasts after Ramadan.
2. *Expiation*: Pay fidya (charity) for intentionally broken fasts.

*Additional Guidelines*

1. *Tarawih prayers*: Perform optional nightly prayers.
2. *Recite Quran*: Increase Quran recitation during Ramadan.
3. *Charity*: Increase charitable acts.

*Consult*

1. Islamic scholars or Imams
2. Official Islamic websites (e.g., Islamic Society of North America)
3. Local mosques/communities

Remember, Ramadan fasting strengthens spirituality, self-control, and empathy. May Allah accept your fasting!