SAWM 360
Islamic fasting is intermittent fasting
Modern intermittent fasting (IF) means confining eating to a window — 16:8, 18:6, OMAD. The Islamic fast runs from Fajr (dawn) to Maghrib (sunset): typically a 12–17 hour dry fast depending on season and latitude, followed by an eating window at night. Researchers literally study Ramadan as "diurnal intermittent fasting."
Published reviews associate Ramadan-style fasting with improvements in body weight and composition, lipid profiles and cardiometabolic risk markers, positive gut-microbiome shifts, and better mood — one study found increased serotonin and BDNF during fasting. (Individual results vary; anyone with a medical condition should ask a doctor before extended fasting.)
Sunnah days vs. 16:8 — a practical comparison
- Frequency: Mondays + Thursdays + three white days ≈ 11 fasting days a month — comparable to a 5:2-style rhythm, with rest days built in.
- Window: Fajr→Maghrib is time-anchored to the sun, so it naturally lengthens and shortens with seasons — your body gets variety a fixed 16:8 never gives.
- Dry fasting: the Islamic fast excludes water; hydration happens in the night window, so suhoor planning matters more than in standard IF.
- Intention: the sunnah fast is worship first — the health effects are a bonus, not the goal.
One tracker for both worlds
Generic IF apps don't know what Fajr is; Islamic apps don't show your fasting metrics. SAWM 360 does both: every religious fast displays its calculated window (e.g. Fajr 4:50 AM → Maghrib 7:01 PM), the estimated duration (14.2 h), and one of five duration levels, up to Deep Fast at 14 hours or more, each with a short description and health notes — while still logging the day as ibadah with its sunnah tag and merit points. You can also mark any ordinary day as a completed Fajr–Maghrib fast.
Track Islamic + intermittent fasting in SAWM 360
- Set your location — your Fajr→Maghrib window is calculated from your GPS position — no manual timers.
- See your rhythm — the calendar flags the sunnah days (Mon/Thu + white days) automatically, a built-in, meaningful IF schedule.
- Watch the duration — each day shows estimated fasting hours and the health notes for that level (Deep Fast from 14 hours).
- Review your stats — completed fasts per category, your gear collection and monthly merit badges.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ramadan count as intermittent fasting?
Yes — researchers call it diurnal intermittent fasting. It's a dawn-to-sunset dry fast for a month, and studies link it to metabolic and mood benefits.
Is intermittent fasting halal?
Fasting for health is permissible; done on sunnah days with intention, it's also rewarded worship. The prohibited days (the two Eids, Tashriq) apply to any fast.
How many hours is the Fajr-to-Maghrib fast?
Typically 12–17 hours depending on your latitude and season. SAWM 360 calculates your daily Fajr–Maghrib window from your location and shows the estimated duration up front.