Most-asked question

What breaks the fast?

217 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 8 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, Camperdown, Jamiat KZN and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“In principle, the actual time for the termination of a fast is sunset. If the person therefore broke his fast as per the sunset time as indicated on a timetable, and at the time of breaking the fast and he had a dominant presumption (dominant feeling) that the sun has set, then his fast is valid even if he broke his fast before …”

Azaadville — Breaking A Fast At The Time Of Sunset And Not At The Time Of The Adhaan · 15 Apr 2024

“It is permissible for the pregnant woman to break her fast. She should make up for the broken fast once she is able to do so. An additional kaffarah will not be required.”

AskImam — Can a pregnant woman break her fast? · 18 Mar 2025

“Fundamentally, bleeding of the nose will not nullify one’s fast. Yes, if the blood goes down the nasal passage into the throat, then one’s fast will be invalidated. Similarly, merely seeing blood in the phlegm will not nullify one’s fast.”

Ibn Masood — Bleeding From The Nose And Mouth Nullifying The Fast · 3 Jul 2024

“If you are doubting, you can be sure to break the fast once the Azān is called. However, you should not wait beyond that. When one is certain that the time of Maghrib has set in, we are taught not to delay in breaking the fast. Consider the following Hadith-ul-Qudsi:”

Camperdown — Should I Break the Fast According to the Time Table or Azān? · 27 Mar 2024

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Breaking A Sunnah Fast Ibn Masood · 30 May 2026
  2. Does Inserting Vaginal Cream Nullify the Fast? Camperdown · 14 Mar 2026
  3. Qadha And Kaffaarah For Intentionally Breaking Fasts Of Ramadaan Jamiat KZN · 23 Feb 2026
  4. Qadha And Kaffaarah For Intentionally Breaking Fasts Of Ramadaan Azaadville · 21 Feb 2026
  5. Mint flavoured Miswaak – Will using it invalidate my fast? AskImam · 20 Mar 2025
  6. The Age Of Fasting & Children Breaking Their Fast Amjadi · 2 Apr 2022
  7. Breaking one's fast for sports activities Mufti Online · 29 Dec 2021
  8. Can I Break a Qada Fast? MJC · 27 Jan 2024
  9. Bleeding From The Nose And Mouth Nullifying The Fast Ibn Masood · 3 Jul 2024
  10. Should I Break the Fast According to the Time Table or Azān? Camperdown · 27 Mar 2024
  11. Will using an oxygen concentrator machine break one’s fast? Jamiat KZN · 8 Apr 2021
  12. Breaking A Fast At The Time Of Sunset And Not At The Time Of The Adhaan Azaadville · 15 Apr 2024
  13. Can a pregnant woman break her fast? AskImam · 18 Mar 2025
  14. Husband forcing wife to break Ramadhaan fast to engage in sexual relations Mufti Online · 22 Mar 2020
  15. Breaking one’s fast due to labour pains Ibn Masood · 29 Mar 2023

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