Today, the 13th of Jumada al-Awwal 1448 (Saturday, 24 October 2026, depending on moon sighting), is the first of the White Days. If you are fasting today – congratulations! If you are thinking about it, it is not too late for tomorrow and Monday. Here are practical tips to make fasting easy and joyful for the whole family.
1. A Good Suhoor Makes a Good Day
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1923, Sahih Muslim 1095). Choose foods that keep you full:
- Oats or whole-grain bread
- Eggs, yoghurt or cheese
- Bananas, dates and other fruit
- Plenty of water – avoid very salty foods
2. Keep the Day Light and Meaningful
- Pray each prayer on time.
- Read some Quran after Fajr or 'Asr.
- Avoid arguments and bad words – fasting is for the tongue and heart too.
- Rest a little in the afternoon if you can.
3. Involve the Children
Children who are not yet required to fast can still take part:
- Ages 5–8: fast until mid-morning or lunchtime, and help set the iftar table.
- Ages 9–12: try fasting until 'Asr, or a full day on a weekend if they are healthy and willing.
- Give lots of praise and maybe a small reward – it builds love for fasting.
4. Make Iftar Special
Break the fast at Maghrib with dates and water, as the Prophet ﷺ did. Before eating, make du'a – the moment of breaking the fast is a time when du'a is hoped to be accepted. A short, well-known du'a for breaking the fast is:
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
Dhahabaz-zama'u wabtallatil-'uruqu wa thabatal-ajru in sha Allah – "The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills." (Sunan Abi Dawud, 2357)
5. Invite Someone to Iftar
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever gives a fasting person food to break his fast will have a reward like his, without reducing the fasting person's reward (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, 807). Invite a neighbour, a student or a new Muslim.
6. Don't Overeat
A heavy iftar makes Maghrib and 'Isha prayers difficult. Eat slowly, start light, and drink water gradually.
Health Reminder
Anyone who is sick, pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly or on medication should consult a doctor before voluntary fasting. Islam never asks us to harm ourselves.
Fasting + Quran = A Blessed Day
Use your fasting days to improve your Quran recitation. Tehfiz-ul-Quran Academy offers flexible one-on-one online classes for kids and adults. Book a 3-day free trial.