SAUM (Fasting)

This occurs through the daylight hours of the 30 days of Ramadan. Fasting is required of all adult Muslims (except for the mentally disturbed and women in menstruation). The fast runs from sunrise to sunset (until a black thread cannot be distinguished from a white one - Qur'an 2.185).  

There are three ways in which the fast can be violated:

i) Allowing any food, drink, tobacco or alcohol to be
    intentionally taken in.

ii) Having sex or allowing any emission of semen
    due to sexual contact.

iii) Intentional vomiting. No indecent talk or gossip
    is permitted. Exceptions to these requirements are
    made however if one is ill or on a journey.