Islamic Interpretation
Fasting in a dream symbolizes vows, promises, and offerings made to God. It also represents spiritual protection and self-restraint. Breaking one’s fast in a dream indicates illness, travel, or engaging in backbiting and harmful speech. If a person breaks an obligatory fast out of forgetfulness, it signifies receiving a pleasant gift or lawful money. In general, fasting in a dream denotes honor, elevation in rank, repentance from sins, settling debts, penitence for wrongdoing, or the birth of a son. Observing the obligatory fast of the blessed month of Ramadan in a dream signifies gaining clarity in matters of doubt, recognizing truth without distortion, and attaining correct understanding. If someone sees himself as the only person fasting in the dream, and he is illiterate, it means he will memorize the Holy Qur’an, achieve spiritual growth, and receive glad tidings. Such a dream also indicates piety and religious devotion. If the dreamer is sick, it means recovery; if heedless, it means divine guidance; and if indebted, it means he will repay what he owes. Intentionally breaking the obligatory fast of Ramadan in a dream signifies committing a grave sin and may symbolically represent killing someone. Likewise, seeing oneself killing another person in a dream may indicate deliberately breaking the obligatory fast. Observing the two months of atonement for breaking the fast of Ramadan or for other expiations in a dream signifies falling ill and then repenting sincerely to God Almighty. Deliberately breaking the Ramadan fast also represents neglecting one of the pillars of Islam. If the dreamer then acknowledges this neglect and vows to fulfill his duties, it means he will soon receive an unexpected gift. Recognizing the sanctity of Ramadan in a dream shows that the dreamer is on the straight path, while not fasting may indicate travel. Voluntary fasting in a dream signifies protection from enemies. If a sick person sees himself fasting, it may indicate death, silence, celebration, or recovery, and it also reflects sincerity of faith and truthfulness in word and deed. Seeing large groups of people fasting in a dream may point to famine. Eating during fasting hours indicates committing a sin, falling into debt, or becoming ill. Fasting Ramadan also symbolizes safety, protection from harm, and repentance. Fasting the six days following the festival that ends Ramadan signifies completing one’s prayers, giving charity, or regretting past faults. Fasting Mondays and Thursdays represents strengthening family ties. Fasting the three white days of each lunar month signifies gradual repayment of debts, teaching proper recitation of the Qur’an, or spreading beneficial knowledge. Fasting the tenth day of Muharram indicates asceticism, piety, renunciation of worldly matters, or performing the pilgrimage. Fasting on the day pilgrims stand at Mount Arafat signifies acceptance of charity. Fasting the last ten days of Zul-Hijjah indicates a blessed end to one’s life, righteousness, or fulfillment of a promise. Fasting the day of Ashura represents good deeds, trials followed by deliverance, living to witness another religious festival, or, if one’s wife is pregnant, the birth of a blessed and righteous son. Fasting during the month of Rajab signifies service to people in authority, being assigned work abroad, or undertaking a short journey. Fasting an extra day out of doubt regarding religious duty indicates sin, negligence, or lack of certainty in devotion. Making up missed Ramadan fasts for valid reasons signifies the release of a prisoner or repentance of a sinner. Observing a vowed fast for a specific purpose signifies attaining one’s goal, joy, and happiness. A perpetual vowed fast indicates bearing a heavy responsibility, following innovation, living in isolation, or practicing silence, for fasting in a dream also symbolizes restraint of speech. Such a fast represents piety and devotion, but for a sinner, it may indicate failure to achieve his aim. Paying due charity after completing a fast signifies recovery from illness. Fasting for display or show indicates that the dreamer will attain what he desires. (Also see Ashura, Feast of Breaking the Fast)