Ramadan illness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. However, many Muslims with medical conditions insist on fasting to satisfy their spiritual needs, although it is not recommended by the hadith. Professionals should closely monitor such individuals who decide to persist with fasting. Those who were unable to fast still must make up the days missed later. Each day, before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the suhur. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr. At sunset, families hasten for the fast-breaking meal known as iftar. Dates are usually the first food to break the
Ramadan of Shawwal is called Eid al-Fitr. "Eid al-Fitr" may also be a reference towards the festive nature of having endured the month of fasting successfully and returning to the more natural disposition ("fitra") of being able to eat, drink and resume intimacy with spouses during the day. The common practice during Ramadan is fasting from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the "suhur", while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is the "iftar". Muslims also engage in increased prayer and charity during Ramadan. Ramadan is also a month where Muslims try to practice