FAQs on Ramadan
Fasting
It is obligatory to make the intention to fast, daily in the month of Ramadan. The intention must be made between dusk (maghrib) and dawn (subuh) before the next day’s fast.
It is required for every muslim to make their intentions daily in the month of Ramadan. The intention can be made between dusk (maghrib) and dawn (subuh) before the next day’s fast.
However some scholars state that it is encouraged to make the intention for the whole month on the first night of Ramadan, (before Fajr). The benefit of doing so is to compensate for the days that we might forget to state our intention. However, this does not totally negate the need for us to state our intentions daily. It is encouraged for us to make the intention for the whole month and still make our intentions daily within the time period that permits.
The obligatory period to fast begins at Dawn (Fajr/Subuh) Hence, one should stop eating as soon as he hears the Azan. If a person is still eating, he needs to remove what is in his mouth, or else his fast will not be valid. Imsak serves as a reminder that Fajar is approaching, so it is encouraged to finish eating during this time.
Fasting on behalf of someone can be seen in 2 aspects which are
(i) Fasting on behalf of someone who is still alive
(ii) Fasting on behalf of someone who is already deceased.
For the former, if the person who is still alive can fast (ie has the capacity to do so or does not have a reason to not fast), then fasting on behalf of that person is impermissible. If the person who is still alive is unable to fast due to an illness, then fasting on behalf of this person is not permissible, and he should make up for his fast when he has cured. If the illness is incurable and does not allow him to fast forever, then this person should compensate by feeding the poor everyday to make up for his missed fasts (ie: Fidyah)
For the latter, if a person has died and was unable to make up for his fasts after the month of Ramadan (when he had the time to do so while he was alive), then his fast should be made up on behalf of him by a guardian who is able to make up for him.
The intention can be made between dusk (maghrib) and dawn (subuh) before the next day’s fast.
Nullification of the Fasting
In order to know the ruling, one must first identify what type of vomiting is meant. There are two types; intentional and unintentional. If one vomits intentionally with no proper reason to do so, then his fast is considered nullified. However, one vomits unintentionally (ie out of one’s control) then the fast is considered valid and he/she may proced with the fast until the end of the day.
Inserting a foreign object or substance into the body can invalidate one’s fast. However, inserting something like medicine, out of necessity, such as difficulties in breathing, is allowed. Therefore, the warranted use of an inhaler will not invalidate one’s fast.
Inserting something into an open orifice, body cavity or passageway will nullify a fast (unless done out of necessity). In the case of medical injections, it is permissible to do so in the day of Ramadan, and does not invalidate the fast.
However, delibrate injections for nourishment with no urgent reason is not permissible and is can be considered the same to eating and drinking on the day of Ramadan.
During the day of Ramadan, the ruling of kissing and touching (playfully or romantically) is Makruh according to the Syafie Mazhab and best that it should be avoided. This is to hinder from intentional ejaculation which will invalidate the fast.
As such, this issue is usually on a case-to-case basis, so if one is able to control his desires and considers himself as someone (with full certainty) who is not easily sexually aroused, then kissing and touching is permissible for him.
However, if he is one who is unable to control his desires, then this becomes impermissible as he may not be able to control himself from ejaculating. Ultimately, it is best that one abstains from doing so.
Having a wet dream in the daytime of Ramadan does not invalidate the fast. This is because it is done unintentionally. However, if it is done intentionally, his fast will be deemed invalid and he will have to perform Qada’.
Deliberate sexual stimulation during the fasting period of Ramadan is not permissible. If a person sexually stimulates himself through masturbation (self-stimulation), kissing & hugging his wife or having intercourse in the morning of Ramadan, then his fast is considered void, and he will have to make up for it by qada or kaffarah (if he has sexual intercourse).
However, if he is sexually stimulated due to lustful looking or sudden sexual thoughts, his fast is considered valid, and should proceed with fasting. Additionally, he is recommended to curb from such thoughts by increasing in Ibadah such as committing to the recitation of Quran, Zikr and Solah or keep himself busy with good acts to abstain from intrusive thoughts.
It must be known that sexual intercourse during the day of Ramadan is considered to be a grave sin, and is prohibited in Islam. For the one who has committed this sin, he or she should first and foremost do Taubah and repent from his wrongdoing.
The follow up action is then as follows:
1) The fast is considered invalid.
2) They (the couple) should continue to fast until the end of the day (and this is considered an obligation).
3) The couple must make up for the fast they have broken.
4) The couple must do kaffarah after Ramadan.
As for the Kaffarah, the couple must engage in a form of punishment to cleanse their sins and recompensate for their acts. The order of the Kaffarah is as follows:
1) To free a slave.
2) To fast consecutively for 2 months (without breaking the momentum of the 2 months)
3) To feed 60 needy people.
The Kaffarah must be executed in a manner that is consecutive. The couple must start first with the freeing of a slave, and cannot choose to do the fasting if he is able to free a slave. Only when he is unable to do so, will he move on to the next one.
However, one should not be confused that sexual intercourse cannot be done at night. In fact, it is allowed for spouses to engage in sexual intercourse during the night of Ramadan, before the coming of Fajr.
Acts that invalidate one’s fast are:
1) Deliberately inserting something into an open orifice, body cavity or passageway, except instances where it is done out of necessity, for example, due to illnesses. Thus, eating, drinking and smoking invalidate one’s fast. However, injections (for medical purposes) do not invalidate it 2) Deliberately causing oneself to vomit.
3) Having an ejaculation that is caused deliberately and voluntarily
4) Having sexual intercourse while fasting
5) The appearance of menses (haidh), post-natal flow (nifas) or giving birth
6) Going insane
7) Being unconscious for the entire day
8) Drowsiness that incapacitates one’s thinking capacity
9) Murtad, i.e renouncing Islam.
Insulin injections for diabetics will not invalidate your fast. This is because the injection is not done through an open orifice, does not cure hunger pains nor does it result in any sort of satiation in the patient.
Donating blood in moderate quantities is permissible and will not invalidate the fast. However, donating blood in excess to the detriment of your health, such that it affects your ability to fast, is highly discouraged, and may cause you to break your fast.
Women Related
If your menses or post-natal flow ended before the Fajr prayer but you have not performed your ghusl prayer after the Adzan of Fajr, you are still required to fast as per normal. This is because it becomes obligatory for you to fast when the state of period/post-natal flow has ended.
This situation is likened to the case of a person who is in a state of major ritual impurity (junub) when fajar arrives and his fast is still considered valid even if he has not performed the ghusul. Allah SWT mentions in the Quran:
“Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what Allah Hath ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread black; then complete your fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques.” [Al-Baqarah: 187]
If Allah allows a husband and wife to have marital relations up till fajar, then the ghusul is then done after Fajr.
This is supported by a hadith as told by Sayidatina Aisyah R.A meaning, “The Holy Prophet PBUH was still in a state of junub, but continued to fast.”
What is implied is that the Holy Prophet PBUH had not performed the ghusl until after fajar. Thus, what can be extracted is the same case for the woman who has ended her menses and post-natal flow before Fajr.
A pregnant woman may fast if she is able to do so, so long as it does not detriment her. If she is unable to fast, she is allowed to break it. There are 2 situations in which a women breaks her fast, based on her intention of doing so.
(i) The first situation is if the woman breaks/does not fast for fear of her own safety, she has to make up the days she had missed (ie: by doing Qada’)
(ii) The second situation is if the woman breaks/does not fast for fear of her child’s health, she has to make up the days she had missed and pay fidyah.
It is best for any woman to follow the course of nature of her period. However, if she decides to take medication to delay her menses to be able to fast during Ramadan, it is also permissible so long as the medication taken does not harm her body. A medical expert’s advice should be sought before proceeding to taking the relevant medication.
Qadha'
Many scholars from the Syafie Mazhab have different views regarding the issue of combining the make up fast for Ramadan and the fast of 6 Days in Syawal (which is considered Sunnah).
In summary, according to the final opinion, it is most encouraged to fast separately. The opinion that permits combining both fasts is considered weak. Therefore one should prioritise The making up of fast over the fasting in Shawwal; as it is considered a deed that is exhorted and commendable in Islamic Law.
