Does fasting in Ramadan forgive all my sins?
Mostly the minor ones, but it wipes away a great deal. The Prophet ﷺ promised that past sins are forgiven for someone who fasts Ramadan with faith, hoping for Allah's reward. Most scholars understand this mainly as minor sins. Major sins and wrongs against other people still need sincere repentance and making things right.
What the hadith says
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven" (Sahih al-Bukhari 38).
Notice the two conditions. Faith means you fast because you believe and obey Allah. Hoping for reward means you fast sincerely, not for show, habit or a diet. Simply going without food isn't what earns forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ also warned that whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions, Allah has no need of him leaving his food and drink (Sahih al-Bukhari 1903). Fasting is meant to change how you behave too.
Minor sins and major sins
Another hadith explains the limit. The five daily prayers, Friday to Friday, and Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the sins in between, "provided one shuns the major sins" (Sahih Muslim 233).
Based on this, most scholars say that acts of worship like fasting and prayer wipe away minor sins. Major sins, such as theft, abuse or deliberately skipping obligations, need tawbah (sincere repentance). That means:
- Stopping the sin.
- Feeling regret.
- Resolving not to return to it.
- Returning what you took or asking forgiveness from anyone you wronged.
Scholars do not agree on every detail, but all agree that nobody should treat fasting as a reason to delay repentance. See Will Allah forgive me if I keep committing the same sin?
No sin is beyond Allah's mercy
None of this means a major sin is hopeless. Allah says:
Repentance is open until the very end of life. The Prophet ﷺ said Allah accepts the repentance of His servant as long as his soul has not reached his throat (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3537). Ramadan is an ideal time to start, since the days are quiet, the nights are full of worship and everyone around you is trying to improve. If you recently became Muslim, your past was already wiped clean. See Are all my sins forgiven when I become Muslim?
How to make the most of it
- Check your intention each day and fast for Allah alone.
- Guard your tongue and eyes, and avoid arguing, gossip and lies.
- Make tawbah in the last third of the night and during your sujood.
- Right any wrongs, such as paying a debt or apologising to a relative.
- Keep up your good habits after Ramadan so the forgiveness lasts.
Fasting has many other rewards too. See What are the benefits of fasting in Islam?
- Fasting with faith and sincere hope for reward brings forgiveness of past sins.
- Most scholars say this mainly covers minor sins.
- Major sins need repentance, and wrongs against people need to be put right.
- Allah forgives all sins for those who sincerely turn back to Him.
People also ask
Does shaving or waxing break the fast?
No, shaving or waxing does not break the fast. Hair removal happens on the skin and nothing enters the body; a tiny nick doesn't break it either.
Read the full answer →Does inhaling dust, smoke or steam break the fast?
No, accidentally breathing in dust, smoke or steam doesn't break the fast. Only deliberately drawing in thick smoke, like smoking or incense, is different.
Read the full answer →Does cupping break the fast?
It depends on the school: most scholars say hijama doesn't break the fast, but the Hanbali school says it does. Doing it after iftar is valid either way.
Read the full answer →Does a COVID swab test break the fast?
No, a nose or throat swab test does not break the fast, according to most contemporary scholars. Here is how different tests work and what to watch.
Read the full answer →Do ear drops break the fast?
Usually no: ear drops and ear cleaning don't break the fast for most contemporary scholars. Take care only if your eardrum is perforated.
Read the full answer →