Prayer TimesIf a fasting person (due to hard physical work) experiences extreme thirst and hunger to the point that it threatens their life or causes them to lose consciousness, then they are permitted to break their fast. Later, they must only make up that day. However, if a person deliberately weakens themselves and breaks their fast without a genuine necessity, then they must also pay the expiation (kaffarah).
Therefore, those who do heavy labor, such as bakers or farmers, should avoid overworking themselves to the extent that it prevents them from completing the fast. During Ramadan, they should try to reduce their daytime workload or shift it to nighttime if possible [1].
Nevertheless, people who are compelled to do hard work during Ramadan should not start the day by breaking their fast. They should eat suhoor and begin fasting as usual. Perhaps Allah will help them complete their fast until sunset.
It is stated in the book "al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah": "If a person knows that their work will harm them to the extent that it permits breaking the fast, but they break their fast before actually experiencing hardship or illness, it is haram" [2].
Therefore, a person who does hard work should not skip fasting without a valid reason. To avoid missing out on the great rewards of Ramadan, it is better for such a person to schedule their leave during this month, reduce their working hours, or switch to lighter work if possible.
From the book "Fatwas Regarding Ramadan Fasting"
[1] "Radd al-Muhtar", 3/400-401. Abdulhamid Mahmoud Tuhmaz, "al-Fiqh al-Hanafi fi Thawbihi al-Jadid", 1/439-440.
[2] "Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah", 1/229.
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.