THINGS THAT BREAK THE FAST

There are many things that the fasting person must avoid because if he does them during the daytime of the month of Ramadaan his fast would be void, and he would have increased his sins. The following are things that break the fast:

Intentional eating and drinking
Allah (T) said:

{And eat and drink until the white thread of Fajr becomes distinct from its black thread, then complete the fast until the night.} [Baqarah 2:187]

This verse shows that the fasting is abstaining from eating and drinking and therefore whoever intentionally indulges in either of them has destroyed his fast. However, if eating or drinking is done through forgetfulness or being mistaken, or it is done under duress then his fast is still valid and he does not have to make it up.

The following hadeeth establishes this.

The Messenger (S) said: "If anyone forgets and eats and drinks, then let him complete his fast because it is Allah who fed him and gave him to drink." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

He (S) also said: "Indeed Allah (T) has freed my Ummah from the burden of mistakes, forgetfulness and what they do under duress." [Al-Haakim, Ad Daarqutnee]

Note:
Qadaa (one dayof fasting) has to be made for intentional eating and drinking.

Intentional vomiting
If someone is overtaken by vomit then he continues his fast and completes it to the end of the day it would be valid. If, however he intentionally vomits then his fast for that day is voided. This is based on the following Hadeeth. The Messenger (S) said: "Whoever is overtaken by vomiting then he does not have to make up that day. Whoever vomits intentionally must make up a day." [Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah, Ahmad]

Note:
Qadaa of one day has to be made up for every day missed.

Menstruation and post-childbirth bleeding
If the woman starts menstruating or post childbirth bleeding anytime during the daytime of Ramadaan, regardless if it is at the beginning or at the end of the day, then her fast is broken and she has to make it up at another time after the month is finished. If she decides to continue her fast it will not be valid.
The prophet (S) said: "Is it not so that if she starts menstruating she does not pray nor fast? We said: "Yes" He (S) said: "Then that is defect in her Deen (religion)."

Aa'isha (R) was asked: Why does the menstruating woman have to do Qadaa for the fasting that she misses and she does not have to do Qadaa for the Salaat (prayer)?" She answered: "This used to affect us and we used to be commanded to do Qadaa for the fasting and not for the Salaat."

Note:
One day has to be made up for each day missed.

Nutritional feeding from other than the mouth
This breaks the fast because it takes the place of eating and drinking. This ruling is derived by Qiyaas (analogy).

Note:
One day has to be made up for each day missed.

Intentional sexual intercourse
This is based on the saying of Allah (T):

{...And now you can have intercourse with them...} [Baqarah2:186]

Meaning that during the duration of the fast sexual intercourse is forbidden. Whoever's fast is broken because of sexual intercourse during the daytime of Ramadaan must do Qadaa and Kafaara based on the following Hadeeth