The first condition for one to be obligated to fast is to be Muslim. In this world, the non-Muslim is not requested to fast, however, in the Hereafter, he will be punished for neglecting to fast, as he will be punished for his blasphemy. Rather, the obligation on the non-Muslim is to embrace Islam, then afterwards, to fast Ramadan.

Secondly, it is the pubescent Muslim who is obligated to fast. The child is not obligated to fast. Rather, it is an obligation on the parents or the guardian of the boy or girl to order him to fast once he is 7 (lunar) years old, with the condition that the child’s body can withstand that fasting, and he would not be harmed by it.

As well, for one to be obligated to fast, he must be of sound mind. Fasting is not obligatory on the insane person.

Fasting is not obligatory on a person whose body cannot tolerate fasting, either due to old age or because of a severe illness. Moreover, if a person would be harmed by fasting, that is, because of his fasting his sickness would get worse, or he would die, then fasting is prohibited for him. The one who does not fast because of old age or an illness he is not hopeful to be cured of does not have to make up the missed days of fasting. Instead he pays an expiation to a poor Muslim for every day he missed of fasting. The expiation is two average-sized, cupped hands of the most common staple food of the country, which in this country, is wheat.

Fasting is not obligatory on the menstruating woman or the woman who is in her postpartum bleeding period. It is unlawful for them to fast. The woman who missed days of fasting during Ramadan for these reasons has to make up each missed day.

As well, the pregnant woman is allowed not to fast if she fears that harm would come to her or her baby from her fasting. As well, the breast-feeding woman is allowed not to fast if she fears harm would come to her or her baby from her fasting. Both must make up every one of the missed days of fasting. As well, if the reason they did not fast was solely the fear of harming their baby, then in addition to making up the missed days of fasting, they must pay an expiation, or two cupped, average-sized handfuls of the most common staple food of the country, for each day they missed.

The one who is traveling a distance of two or more walking days is allowed to not fast provided his traveling is not sinful. Two or more walking days distance is about 80 miles. This traveler is permitted to break his fast even though he would not encounter hardship in his trip, such as if he crossed this distance quickly, by plane, or comfortable, in a car or a train. The matter of traveling is not based on the hardship, rather it has to do with the distance. This facility for the traveler was mentioned in the Qur’an. In Verse 184 of Surat al-Baqarah From this ayah we learn that <<If you are sick or traveling, then you are allowed to break your fast and make up these days later.>>