It is a major sin to break the fast of Ramadan without a valid excuse. However, Islamic Law (Sharia) is practical and preserves life. A key maxim states: "Necessity makes the impermissible permissible."
This leads to the question: Does needing to work to support your family count as a 'Necessity' that allows you to break your fast?
Scholarly Consensus Overview
Work in itself is not an excuse. However, if the work is necessary for survival (food/shelter) AND it is impossible to work at night or reduce hours, AND fasting would cause physical collapse, then breaking the fast is permitted (to the extent needed) and must be made up later.
The Criteria for Necessity (Darurah)
Scholars have defined strict conditions for when work allows you to break the fast. It is not enough for the work to be "hard" or "uncomfortable". It must be a matter of survival.
Use the tool below to see if your situation meets the threshold of Darurah.
Necessity (Darurah) Test
Check if your work qualifies as a valid Sharia exemption.
No Valid Exemption
You have not met the strict criteria for "Necessity" (Darurah). Hardship alone requires patience. Breaking the fast without valid Darurah is a major sin.
Rules for Breaking the Fast
If you qualify for an exemption due to extreme hardship in your essential job, you must follow these rules:
- Start the Day Fasting: You must make intention (Niyyah) and start the fast. You can only break it if/when the hardship becomes unbearable during the day.
- Eat Only What is Needed: Consume enough food/water to restore strength, but do not enjoy a feast. Respect the sanctity of the month.
- Make It Up (Qada): You are breaking the fast for a valid reason, so you do not owe Kaffarah (penalty), but you must make up every missed day later in the year.
Missed Fast Calculator
Calculate what you owe for missed days.
The Red Line
Where do scholars draw the line?
- 1Wealth Accumulation:
If you have enough savings to survive, or if you are working extra shifts just to "make more money" rather than to eat/pay rent, you have NO excuse. Breaking the fast for wealth accumulation is a major sin.
Consulting a Scholar
Because this is a serious matter involving a pillar of Islam, it is highly recommended to get a specific ruling for your situation rather than relying on general online advice.
Use the tool below to draft a clear question to send to your local Imam or a reliable fatwa service.
Ask a Scholar
Generate a precise question to send to your local Imam.
"Assalamu Alaykum. I work as a [Job Title] for [Number] hours a day. During Ramadan, this causes me severe fatigue including [Symptoms like dizziness/fainting]. I am the sole earner for my family and cannot take leave or change shifts. Given these specific circumstances of hardship (Mashaqqah) and necessity (Darurah), is it permissible for me to break my fast on the days where I fear physical harm?"
Methodology
Determining Necessity
Our guidance is based on the definitions of Darurah (Absolute Necessity) vs Hajah (Need) in Usul al-Fiqh. Fasting can only be dropped for Darurah (preservation of life/mind/lineage/wealth/faith) where preservation of life is threatened.
- Ibn Abidin (Radd al-Muhtar): Rulings on hard labour and fasting.