How common is it for Muslims to not fast?

[Energy]

Seeing this discussion on Reddit and some good responses there.

Anyway, have a circle of Muslim folk around me at work who don't fast. How do I know this- because they openly eat and drink. It was subtle in the years before and went un-noticed but this time around there's no hiding.

Is fasting really becoming more and more optional? Under the guise of 'it's the thought that counts' or 'it's between me and Allah' or 'don't judge others' et al.

Ofcourse I'll be curious if you're sitting down able-bodied, gulping down coffee, lol.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Unfortunately, it is not so common among labourers but yes among Gen Z (Burgers) it is quite prevelant

 

[sweep_shot]

Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam.

All Muslims should fast during Ramadan. Skipping it for no valid reason shows poor discipline/self-control.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

There are always a few exceptions but alhumdulilah the majority are steadfast in this blessed practice.

 

[LordJames]

Seeing this discussion on Reddit and some good responses there.

Anyway, have a circle of Muslim folk around me at work who don't fast. How do I know this- because they openly eat and drink. It was subtle in the years before and went un-noticed but this time around there's no hiding.

Is fasting really becoming more and more optional? Under the guise of 'it's the thought that counts' or 'it's between me and Allah' or 'don't judge others' et al.

Ofcourse I'll be curious if you're sitting down able-bodied, gulping down coffee, lol.

Majority of Muslims fast and go about their day. Some don't fast just like Apostates like to make a scene and are therefore more visible on Social Media sites, Reddit etc.

Just like

On any given days there are dozens who accept Islam and then go about their lives without advertising every single day that they are Muslims versus there are "Apostates" and "Fakes" who turn everything into "Why I left Islam..." discussions, a vast majority of these people including those on Forums are actually fake.

I have been in meetings all day and there are Muslims I know who are fasting and nobody makes a song and dance and majority interacting with Muslims don't have Ramadhan at the forefront of their minds but you look at Hindutva, Islamophobic and other Account and its like the sky has fallen...

Plenty don't fast due to genuine medical or pregnancy or traveling etc

Thread 'Welcome Ramadhan: Read This First'

Feb 12, 2026

Question: Which Islamic Year is this?

Answer: Islamic Calendar begins from when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated from Makkah to Madina and that year is designated as Year 0 as there is no concept of Birthdays or Anniversaries etc in Islam. This year is 1447.

Question: How many Months in Islamic Calendar?

Answer: 12. The Calendar system and the name of the months has continued since before Islam and no changes have been made.

Question: Which month is Ramadhan? And what does it mean?

Answer: The month of "Ramadhan" existed before Islam and the Arab meaning is "To Burn"...​

• LordJames
• Replies: 33
• Forum: Time Pass and Sports

• 

 

[LordJames]

Seeing this discussion on Reddit and some good responses there.

Anyway, have a circle of Muslim folk around me at work who don't fast. How do I know this- because they openly eat and drink. It was subtle in the years before and went un-noticed but this time around there's no hiding.

Is fasting really becoming more and more optional? Under the guise of 'it's the thought that counts' or 'it's between me and Allah' or 'don't judge others' et al.

Ofcourse I'll be curious if you're sitting down able-bodied, gulping down coffee, lol.

To act on the commandments of Islam has always been voluntary, there is no "Islamic Police" which checks if your Zakaat Amount is actually correct OR if you are not praying or eating Pork or eating/drinking in privacy and never would.

Allah Taala will hold people to Account on the day of judgement.

1. Halal (permissible) is clear
2. Haram (impermissible) is clear

Those who mock Islamic practices and are proud to not be fasting and want to rub it in other's faces to try to be funny will face reckoning on the day of judgement.

 

[Suleiman]

If it helps you feel better, it actually works both ways. I’ve had non Muslim friends and acquaintances take serious interest in Ramadan. One of my co workers who was Christian was very interested in Islam after some paranormal experiences that she fasted with me all of Ramadan and also during the 9 days of Dhul Hajj.

Ayat ul Kursi, the 3 qul and other verses helped her with those paranormal experiences that no amount of her own faith’s practices were not helping with.

She was in denial for the longest time about it, but since then she has gone through fasting, and playing Baqarah and Ayat Ul Kursi and the 3 qul on repeat to help with nightmares and other paranormal things.

My point is brother, as is said in the Quran, if we don’t fulfill our duties, Allah will replace us with a better people. There’s no shortage of people turning to Islam with a lot of passion and interest, and in doing so replacing the “non practicing” Muslims who don’t care.

I have my own sins to worry about, so I am no one to judge, but the experiences like the above opened my eyes to just how miraculous this faith is, and that every day people are waking up to it- so those who don’t practice don’t matter ultimately. It’s their loss.

There’s another incident similar to this at the masjid next to the office with another non Muslim that I witnessed, but I’ll save that for another day perhaps

 

[ghalib kichlu]

I pray with a lot of Muslims who carry on working during prayer times at work too so these things do happen unfortunate

 

[LordJames]

If it helps you feel better, it actually works both ways. I’ve had non Muslim friends and acquaintances take serious interest in Ramadan. One of my co workers who was Christian was very interested in Islam after some paranormal experiences that she fasted with me all of Ramadan and also during the 9 days of Dhul Hajj.

Ayat ul Kursi, the 3 qul and other verses helped her with those paranormal experiences that no amount of her own faith’s practices were not helping with.

She was in denial for the longest time about it, but since then she has gone through fasting, and playing Baqarah and Ayat Ul Kursi and the 3 qul on repeat to help with nightmares and other paranormal things.

My point is brother, as is said in the Quran, if we don’t fulfill our duties, Allah will replace us with a better people. There’s no shortage of people turning to Islam with a lot of passion and interest, and in doing so replacing the “non practicing” Muslims who don’t care.

I have my own sins to worry about, so I am no one to judge, but the experiences like the above opened my eyes to just how miraculous this faith is, and that every day people are waking up to it- so those who don’t practice don’t matter ultimately. It’s their loss.

There’s another incident similar to this at the masjid next to the office with another non Muslim that I witnessed, but I’ll save that for another day perhaps

In my experience also, plenty of Non-Muslims and atheists find peace and able to sleep at night due to the Qur'aan and I have advised a few to listen to last 3 chapters of the Qur'aan and play it when babies can't sleep etc.

Like put your headphone on and volume at the right level (not blasting) close your eyes and just listen to this whenever someone is having a bad day, its just beautiful

Seeing this discussion on Reddit and some good responses there.

Anyway, have a circle of Muslim folk around me at work who don't fast. How do I know this- because they openly eat and drink. It was subtle in the years before and went un-noticed but this time around there's no hiding.

Is fasting really becoming more and more optional? Under the guise of 'it's the thought that counts' or 'it's between me and Allah' or 'don't judge others' et al.

Ofcourse I'll be curious if you're sitting down able-bodied, gulping down coffee, lol.

2 weeks ago a Stage IV cancer (Muslim) patient called me (really nice guy and prays and everything) but can't fast and he asked me "How is it possible for some high grade people to meet Angels in this world while alive? Is that even possible"?

I said forget high grade pious people, those who believe in Allah and remain steadfast the Angels descend upon them at their time of death and give them glad tidings so Angels come to welcome them into the next World and usher them into life of the hereafter and they are shown glimpses and bounties of the hereafter which makes their soul excited and eager to leave this world to their permanent abode.

[41:30] Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast,

1. the angels descend upon them,
2. ˹saying,˺ “Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise,
3. which you have been promised.

There is no compulsion in Islam but the right path and wrong path has been told and consequences of each have been explained, the only test in this life is to stick to Eemaan (faith) no matter and remain upon it.

Those who mock it and are proud of not praying, fasting etc have the freewill to make their choice but then will have consequences.

When you speak to those revert to Islam (or start practicing) they all say no matter what is happening in their life (problems etc), their heart is at peace and that's what matters.