Islam holds fasting as one of the five pillars of faith, alongside the declaration of faith, prayer, giving to charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a compulsory act for all adult Muslims, with exceptions for those who are ill, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, or traveling. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims around the world abstain from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations from dawn until sunset. The fast starts at the break of dawn with the pre-fast meal known as suhoor, and ends at sunset with the meal called iftar.
