Do lying and backbiting break the fast?

Detailed answer

According to the large majority of scholars, lying and backbiting do not break the fast in the sense of making it invalid. Your fast still counts and you do not have to make up the day. However, both are major sins, and they are among the things that most damage the reward of fasting. A few early scholars held that backbiting does break the fast; if you are unsure, ask a trusted local scholar.

What the Quran and Sunnah say

The Quran describes backbiting with a strong image: "Do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it" (Al-Hujurat 49:12). It is striking that a fasting person who avoids lawful food all day may still "eat" this forbidden flesh with his tongue.

The Prophet explained backbiting as mentioning your brother in a way he would dislike; if what you say is true it is backbiting, and if it is false it is slander (Muslim). About fasting, he said that whoever does not give up false speech and acting on it, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink (Bukhari).

In practice

• Lying includes "small" lies, exaggerations to impress others, false excuses and jokes based on lies.
• Backbiting includes comments, voice notes and posts about people, not only spoken words. See social media while fasting.
• Listening to backbiting with approval shares in the sin. Change the subject politely or defend the absent person.

How to repent

Stop, regret it sincerely and resolve not to return to it. Because backbiting harms another person, many scholars also advise asking that person to forgive you if this will not cause more harm; otherwise, make dua for them and speak well of them where you spoke badly.

Tips

• Agree with friends on a "no gossip" rule at iftar gatherings.
• Before speaking about someone, ask yourself: would I say this in front of them?
• Remember the reward at stake; see the rewards of fasting in Ramadan.

Related: does swearing break the fast?