Fasting and Breaking the Fast

To see in a dream that one rises for the pre-dawn meal and fasts is interpreted as a person who treats people well and is ever constant in worship. To see that one has eaten during one’s fast is a sign that one has committed a sin and must repent.

According to Abdulgani al-Nabulsi, to see oneself fasting in a dream signifies that one’s worship has been accepted; whereas eating during one’s fast indicates that, because one has a bad reputation among the people, one must strive to mend one’s ways.

If a fasting person sees in a dream that he partakes of the evening meal and breaks his fast, it is a sign that he will not fall ill for as long as he lives, or that he must assist in every way a person who is ill.

Breaking the fast in a dream is interpreted as abundant sustenance and a prosperous livelihood. Whoever sees himself fasting outside the month of Ramadan, if he is in debt, shall be freed from his debt; and if he is ill, or has a close relative who is ill, he shall recover.

To see in a dream that one deliberately breaks one’s fast during the month of fasting signifies that one has knowingly wronged a person, acted contrary to the good pleasure of the Almighty, and fallen into a grave sin. If the person who sees that he has broken his fast is ill, he shall die.

Whoever intends to fast, spends half the day fasting, and then breaks his fast toward evening shall be deprived of sustenance and shall commit a great sin. According to some, to see oneself fasting in a dream is interpreted as few but choice words.

To see oneself doing something that is not permissible for a fasting person signifies deficiency in religion; to fast and then break the fast at its proper time signifies finding goodness and sustenance in one’s religion and worldly affairs, and the removal of grief and distress from oneself; and to see oneself breaking the fast outside its proper time signifies backbiting people, engaging in gossip, and telling lies, and at times indicates illness and travel.

According to Ja‘far al-Sadiq (may Allah be pleased with him), fasting in a dream is interpreted in nine ways: power, leadership, health, rank, repentance, victory, abundance of blessings, pilgrimage, and a child. Whoever breaks his fast without cause shall become weary on a journey and shall suffer a calamity. Whoever sees that he has broken his fast out of forgetfulness shall receive lawful sustenance.

Whoever sees that he has fasted for two months shall repent of his sins. Whoever sees that he is observing a supererogatory fast shall remain distant from illnesses and live in health. According to some interpreters, to see oneself fasting in a dream signifies health.

Whoever sees that he has fasted throughout an entire year shall go on pilgrimage and repent. Whoever sees himself fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, the day of ‘Ashura, shall be delivered from grief and distress.

According to Abu Sa‘id al-Wa‘iz: To see that one is in the month of Ramadan signifies high prices and scarcity of food, and at times laxity in religion; it also signifies being free from grief and recovery from illness.

To see that one has continued fasting until the Feast signifies that, if the dreamer is in doubt concerning any matter, his doubt shall disappear and he shall attain faith.

According to Abdulgani al-Nabulsi, fasting in a dream is a sign of a vow and of a fast observed in fulfillment of a vow. To see a fasting man breaking his fast signifies illness or setting out on a journey. Whoever breaks the fast in a dream backbites a Muslim. Whoever sees that he has broken his fast out of forgetfulness while fasting shall find abundant and lawful sustenance. To see oneself fasting in a dream signifies repentance, expiation for an oath, pilgrimage, and the begetting of a male child. Whoever sees that he has fasted thirty days in the month of Ramadan shall comprehend the reality of a matter that was doubtful; if he cannot read or write, he shall begin to recite the Noble Qur’an; his work and renown shall increase, and he shall attain goodness and glad tidings.

Whoever sees himself fasting in Ramadan together with everyone else is a true Muslim. If the person who sees this dream is in distress, Allah (the Exalted) shall protect him from that distress. If he is ill, he shall recover. If he is a person negligent in his religion, he shall attain guidance. If he is in debt, he shall pay his debt. Whoever sees that he is fasting as expiation or to make up the fasts of past Ramadans shall fall ill and repent unto Allah, the Most High.

According to Ibn Kathir, fasting is interpreted as protection from the enemy and freedom from suffering; at times, if there is a sick person, it signifies his death; at times, health; and at times, relief and joy. To see people fasting when it is not Ramadan signifies famine and hardship in livelihood.

If the person who sees this is ill, he shall find healing. Whoever sees himself eating while it is the month of Ramadan shall incur a debt or become ill. According to one narration, this dream is interpreted as abundant sustenance coming from an unexpected place. To see oneself fainting while fasting in Ramadan signifies deliverance from the evil of Satan, the making up of religious obligations, and repentance.

To see in a dream that one has fasted six days of the month of Shawwal signifies perseverance in prayer, care in giving the alms-tax, and repentance and remorse for one’s shortcomings. To see oneself fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a sign of love, compassion, and assistance toward one’s relatives. It also signifies marrying one of the members of one’s household or relatives. To see oneself fasting on the tenth day of Muharram signifies piety and pilgrimage. Fasting on the eve of the Feast of Sacrifice signifies giving and receiving alms. Fasting the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah signifies good and happy days and that a promise made to the person shall be fulfilled.

To spend the month of Rajab fasting in a dream signifies serving persons of exalted station; at times, it is interpreted as engaging in commerce by sea voyage. To spend the month of Sha‘ban fasting is interpreted as setting out on a journey for the purpose of trade.

To see oneself observing a compensatory fast in a dream signifies the release of captives and prisoners and the payment of debts by debtors. To observe a vow-fast signifies relief and joy. To see oneself fasting one day and breaking the fast the next signifies arranging marriages for orphan girls who have no one. To do one of the things that break the fast signifies breaking one’s promise, exchanging the world for the Hereafter, and falling into a condition requiring expiation.

To see the evening meal after fasting signifies the recovery of the sick, relief, and joy. To see a devout person fasting every day signifies that he abstains from sins. To see oneself breaking the fast in a dream signifies losing someone and committing a grave sin.

Whoever sees that he is observing the Ramadan fast shall not fall ill that year. Whoever sees that he is fasting not for the sake of Allah’s (the Exalted) good pleasure, but for falsehood and ostentation, shall not attain what he desires. Whoever sees that he is fasting without knowing whether it is an obligatory or supererogatory fast has a vow that must be fulfilled. In this matter, the dreamer is required to remain silent.

It provides early awareness; the person sees risks before they grow and can choose a more solid path.

Neglect, haste, untrustworthy people or uncontrolled behavior can increase the difficulty.

In the interpretation, the themes of success and reputation, work and responsibility, health and body, spiritual signs, the emotional tone in the dream, and how the symbol concludes in the dream should be evaluated together.