The blessed month of Ramadaan is just around the corner. We should prepare ourselves to receive this month with sincerity in our fasting and our nightly prayers, so that we can receive the utmost reward of forgiveness and Paradise from Allaah (SWT) Aameen. Allaah (SWT) says in the Qur’aan what may be interpreted as, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may achieve Taqwaa (righteousness, God-fearing).” [Suratul-Baqarah, verse 183] The prophet Muhammad (PBH) said, “Whoever observes the fast during the month of Ramadaan, (while) believing in Allaah and seeking His rewards, will have his past sins forgiven.” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari, Muslim and others] Fasting the month of Ramadaan is one of the main pillars of Islaam. It is obligatory upon every sane, healthy Muslim whose reached puberty and is not traveling during the time of fasting. As for women, they must not fast if they are menstruating or having post-childbirth bleeding. The Arrival of Ramadaan : There are two ways to confirm whether Ramadaan has arrived or not, either way is sufficient to confirm the beginning of Ramadaan . The first way to determine the beginning of Ramadaan is for at least one trustworthy person to observe the crescent moon, after sunset on the 29th day of the month of Sha’baan . If the crescent moon is not sighted, then we must complete thirty days of the month of Sha’baan before we can begin fasting. Ibn ‘Umar (A.S) said: “The people were looking for the crescent moon and when I reported to the Messenger of Allaah that I had seen it, he fasted and ordered the people to fast.” [Reported by Imaam Abu Dawud and others] Abu Hurairah (A.S) reported that the prophet (PBH) said, “Fast after you have seen it (the new crescent) and end the fast (at the end of the month) when you see it again. If it is hidden from you, then wait until the thirty days of Sha’ban have passed.” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari and Muslim] According to a majority of jurists include: the Hanafis, Maalikis, and Hanbalis. It does not matter if the crescent moon has been sighted in a different location. In other words, after the crescent moon is seen anywhere in the world, it becomes obligatory for all Muslims to begin fasting, as the prophet (PBUH) said: “Fast due to its sighting and break the fast due to its sighting.” This hadeeth is a general address directed to the whole Muslim Ummaah , that is, if any one of you sees the crescent moon in place, then that will be a confirmation for everyone. However, some scholars such as Imaam Ash-Shaaf’i hold the opinion that every region should only consider their own local sighting and are not required to follow the sightings of other areas. There are two essentials elements for your fast to be valid and accepted. They are: (1) The Intention: You must have the intention to fast before fajr (dawn) every night during the month of Ramadaan . The prophet Muhammad said (PBH), “He who does not have the intention to fast before it is Fajr, then there is no fast for him.” [Reported by Imaams At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’ee and Abuu Dawud] The prophet Muhammad (PBH) also said, “Actions are judged according to the intentions behind them…” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari and Muslim] The intention does not need to be spoken, because in reality it is an act of the heart, which does not involve the tongue. It will be fulfilled by one’s intention from the heart to fast out of obedience to Allaah ﷻ, seeking His pleasure. (2) Abstaining from Acts that Nullify the Fast: The second essential element for your fast to be accepted is that you abstain from the acts that nullify the fast from dawn to sunset. Allaah ﷻ says in the Qur’aan what may be interpreted as, “It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fast…And eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night).” [Suratul-Baqarah, verse 187] If you maintain these two essential elements during fasting, then your fast will be valid and accepted. All scholars have agreed that the following acts will invalidate the fast. They are: (a) Intentional Eating or Drinking: If someone eats or drinks due to forgetfulness, a mistake or coercion, then his fast is still valid and should continue to fast. The prophet (PBH) said: “If any of you eats and drinks out of forgetfulness, then let him complete his fast, for it was indeed Allaah who gave him food and drink.” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari and Muslim] The prophet (PBH) also said: “Allaah has excused my Ummah for the actions they have committed by mistake, forgetfulness and for whatever they are forced to do.” [Reported by Imaams Al-Haakim and Ad-Daraqatni] Intentional Vomiting: If one is overcome by the urge to vomit, and vomits unintentionally, then he should continue to fast. If someone chooses to vomit, for any reason, then his fast will become invalid. The prophet (PBH) said: “Whoever is overwhelmed by vomiting, then no atonement is required of him, but whoever vomits intentionally then let him atone for it.” [Reported by Imaams Abu Daawud, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad] Intentional Sexual Intercourse: If one has sexual intercourse then he must perform kaffaarah , expiation (Fasting continuously for sixty days. If unable, one should feed sixty poor people). A man came to the prophet and said: O’ Messenger of Allaah, I am destroyed. I had sexual intercourse with my wife during Ramadaan . The prophet Muhammad (PBH) said: “Are you able to free a slave?” The man said: “No.” The prophet Muhammad (PBH) asked: “Are you able to fast two months consecutively?” The man again replied: “No.” The prophet (PBH) then asked; “Are you able to feed sixty poor people?” Again, the man said: “No.” The prophet (PBH) said: ” Then sit.” So he sat down. Then a large basket of palm leaves containing dates was brought to the prophet (PBH) and he said: “Give this in charity.” The man then said: There is no one between the two sides (of Al-Madinah) poorer than us. So the prophet (PBH) smiled until his molars became visible and said: “Take it and feed it to your family.” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari and Muslim] Menstrual & Childbirth Bleeding Invalidate the Fast: The fast becomes invalid during menstrual or post-childbirth bleeding. Even if such bleeding begins just before sunset, the fast of that day is invalid and the day must be made up. Aa’ishah ﷸ ﷷ said: “(Menstruation) used to happen to us (women) when the prophet was alive and so we were ordered (by the prophet) to make up the missed fasts, but we were never ordered to make up the missed prayers.” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari and Muslim] Allaah says in the Qur’aan what may be interpreted as, “O’ you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may achieve Taqwaa (righteousness, God-fearing).” [Surat Al-Baqarah, verse 183] The prophet Muhammad (PBH) said, “Whoever observes the fast during the month of Ramadan, (while) believing in Allaah and seeking His rewards, will have his past sins forgiven.” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari, Muslim and others] Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the main pillars of Islam. It is obligatory upon every sane, healthy Muslim whose reached puberty and is not traveling during the time of fasting. As for women, they must not fast if they are menstruating or having post-childbirth bleeding.
During Ramadan we increase our recitation and study of the Qur’an. This is because the revelation of the Qur’an began during this time, and also Angel Gabriel used to review the Qur’an with the Prophet during this month. We can also gain rewards by using Miswaak (a piece of root from the Araak tree found in the Hijaaz region of the Arabian Peninsula used to clean the teeth), if not available, any other cleaning tool to clean the mouth is sufficient. We ask Allaah (SWT) to strengthen us in Ramadan, accept our fasts, and reward us with His forgiveness and the highest place in Paradise.
The Actions that rre permissible during fasting: There are some actions that are permissible to do while fasting, which will not nullify the fast. For example: (a) Taking a shower: It is permissible to shower, for any reason, even if you are showering due to thirst or being overheated. (b) Rinsing the mouth and nose: It is permissible to rinse the mouth and nose without exaggeration; using too much water may cause you to swallow water, which may invalidate your fast. (c) Applying eyeliner or eye drops: It is permissible to apply kohl (eyeliner) or eye drops or anything else to the eyes, even if some taste from it finds its way to the throat. (d) Taking injections: It is also permissible to take injections for nutritional or medical purposes; there is no text that proves this invalidates the fast. (e) Taking suppositories: Similarly, it is permissible to have an enema or douche. The injection of liquid into the rectum through the anus for cleansing, as a laxative, or for other therapeutic purposes, or the use of a suppository (a solid medication designed to melt within a body cavity) or any other medicine that can be used in the private parts, whether in the front or back is permissible. There is no text that considers these acts to nullify the fast. (f) Accidental consumption: Your fast will not become invalid if you consume something that you could not protect yourself from. For example, swallowing your saliva or accidentally swallowing dust or sifted flour that has accidentally entered your mouth. (g) Tasting food with the tongue: Your fast will be valid even if you taste food with your tongue or use toothpaste or mouthwash as long as nothing is swallowed. (h) Breathing in different scents (i) Kissing and embracing one’s spouse: It is permissible to kiss and embrace your spouse as long as one is able to control oneself. (j) Drawing blood: It is also permissible to draw blood in any amount for any reason. If drawing blood weakens the person, it will be considered a disliked action. (k) Being in a state of janaabah: Your fast will still be valid even if you find yourself in a state of janaabah (a major ritual impurity) after fajr (dawn) has arrived. Ghusl (a full bath) can still be performed once the time of fajr has begun. Who May Be Excluded From Fasting? There are certain situations when it is optional to fast during the month of Ramadan, however, the fast must be made up at a later date. This is the rule for the sick or for the one who is traveling. However, women who are experiencing post-childbirth bleeding or are in their menses are not allowed to fast until their bleeding ends. They must make up the days they missed fasting at a later date. For those who cannot fast due to a permanent illness or old age, they have to pay fidiya (feeding one poor person) for each day that they have missed. Pregnant and nursing women, who are afraid that fasting may weaken them or the child, have the option of fasting or not. After Ramadan ends, they have the choice of fasting or paying fidiyah (feeding one poor person) for each day that they had missed during Ramadan. However, according to the Hanafi School of jurists, such women are only to make up the missed days of fasting, and they are not supposed to feed one poor person a day. On the other hand, Imaams Ahmad and Ash-Shaaf’i, hold the opinion that if such women fear only for the baby, they must pay the fidiyah and make up the days later. If they fear only for themselves or for themselves and the baby, then they are only to make up the missed days at a later date. Recommended Acts During Ramadan : There are some acts that are recommended, and if you practice them, you will gain more rewards from Allaah (SWT) such as: Having suhuur (pre-dawn meal) and delaying it until just before fajr (dawn) time. We should also hurry to break the fast at sunset. Another recommended act is that we break the fast by eating an odd number of fresh or dry dates, and if those are not available, then having a drink of water would be sufficient. Also we can earn rewards by supplicating at the time of breaking the fast, as the prophet (PBH) used to say, Dhahabadh-dhama-oo wabtallatil-‘urooqu, wa thabatal-ajru inshaa’Allaah. Which can be translated as, “The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and Allaah willing, the reward is confirmed.” Another recommended act is that we pray taraaweeh daily after Isha .To gain even more rewards, it is recommended that during Ramadan we increase our recitation and study of the Qur’an. This is because the revelation of the Qur’an began during this time, and also Angel Gabriel used to review the Qur’an with the Prophet during this month. We can also gain rewards by using Miswaak (a piece of root from the Araak tree found in the Hijaaz region of the Arabian Peninsula used to clean the teeth), if not available, any other cleaning tool to clean the mouth is sufficient. We ask Allaah (SWT) to strengthen us in Ramadan, accept our fasts, and reward us with His forgiveness and the highest place in Paradise. Ameen!
(The authors write regularly for “Islamic topics” for “Kashmir Horizon” exclusively. Views are their own)
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