Fasting Roles

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every adult Muslim, male or female, who has reached puberty, is sane and who is not sick or traveling.

Sickness could be a temporary sickness from which a person expects to be cured soon. Such a person should not fast during the days of his or her sickness, but he or she must fast later after Ramadan to complete the missed days. Those who are sick with incurable illness and expect no better health are also allowed not to fast but they must pay the?fidyah, which is giving a day's meals for each fast missed to a needy person. Instead of food for one day, one can also give an equivalent amount of money to a needy person. Women in their menses and post-natal bleeding are not allowed to fast, but they must make up the fast later after Ramadan. If pregnant women and mothers who are nursing babies can also postpone their fasting to a later time when they can do so.

A trip according to the Shariah is any journey that takes you away from your city of residence, a minimum of 48 miles or 80 kilometers. The journey must be for a good cause. One must avoid frivolous travel during Ramadan which causes a person to miss fasting. If possible one should try to change their travel plans during Ramadan to be able to fast and should not travel unless it is necessary. The traveler who misses the fasts of Ramadan must make up those missed days later as soon as possible after Ramadan.

Fasting According to the Sunnah

1 - Take sahur (pre-dawn meal). It is?Sunnah?and there is a great reward and blessing in taking sahur. The best time for sahur is the last half hour before dawn or the time for Fajr prayer.

2 - Take iftar (break-fast) immediately after sunset. Shariah considers sunset when the disk of the sun goes below the horizon and disappears completely.

3 - During the fast, abstain from all false talks and deeds. Do not quarrel, have disputes, indulge in arguments, use bad words, or do anything that is forbidden. You should try to discipline yourself morally and ethically, besides gaining physical training and discipline. You should also not make a show of your fasting by talking too much about it, by showing dry lips and a hungry stomach, or by showing a bad temper. The fasting person must be a pleasant person with good spirits and good cheer.

4 - During the fast, do acts of charity and goodness to others and increase your worship and reading of the Quran. Everyone should try to read the whole Quran at least once during the month of Ramadan.

Things That Invalidate the Fast

You must avoid doing anything that may render your fast invalid. Things that invalidate the fast and require qadaa' (making up for these days) are the following:

1 - Eating, drinking, or smoking deliberately, including taking any non-nourishing items by mouth or nose.

2 - Deliberately causing yourself to vomit.

3 - The beginning of menstrual or post-childbirth bleeding even in the last moment before sunset.

4 - Sexual intercourse or other sexual contacts (or masturbation) that results in ejaculation (in men) or vaginal secretions (orgasms) in women.

5 - Eating, drinking, smoking, or having sexual intercourse after Fajr (dawn) on the mistaken assumption that it is not Fajr time yet. Similarly, engaging in these acts before Maghrib (sunset) on the mistaken assumption that it is already Maghrib time.

Sexual intercourse during fasting is forbidden. Those who engage in it must make both qadaa' (make up the fasts) and kaffarah (expiation by fasting for 60 days after Ramadan or by feeding 60 poor people for each day of the fast broken in this way). According to Imam Abu Hanifah, eating and/or drinking deliberately during a fast also entail the same qadaa' and kaffarah.

Things That Do Not Invalidate Fasting

Using a Miswak to clean your teeth does not invalidate fasting

During the fast, the following things are permissible:

1 - Taking a bath or shower. If water is swallowed involuntarily it will not invalidate the fast. According to most jurists, swimming is also allowed in fasting, but one should avoid diving because that will cause the water to go from the mouth or nose into the stomach.

2 - Using perfumes, wearing contact lenses, or using eye drops.

3 - Taking injections or having a blood test.

4 - Using miswak (toothstick) or toothbrush (even with toothpaste) and rinsing the mouth or nostrils with water, provided it is not overdone (so as to avoid swallowing water).

5 - Eating, drinking, or smoking unintentionally, i.e., forgetting that one was fasting. But one must stop as soon as one remembers and should continue one's fast.

6 - Sleeping during the daytime and having a wet dream does not break one's fast. Also, if one has intercourse during the night and was not able to make ghusl (bathe) before dawn, he or she can begin fast and make ghusl later. Women whose menstruation stops during the night may begin fasting even if they have not made ghusl yet. In all these cases, bathing (ghusl) is necessary but fast is valid even without bathing.

7 - Kissing between husband and wife is allowed in fasting, but one should try to avoid it so that one may not do anything further that is forbidden during the fast. This means that kissing is allowed with respect, showing love for an application not making love.?

Requirements for Fasting to Be Valid

There are basically two main components of fasting:

1 - The?intention (niyyah) for fasting. One should make a sincere intention to fast for the sake of God every day before dawn. The intention need not be in words but must be with the sincerity of the heart and mind. Some jurists are of the opinion that the intention can be made once only for the whole month and does not have to be repeated every day. It is, however, better to make an intention every day to take full benefit of fasting.

2 - Abstaining from dawn to dusk from everything that invalidates.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, and fasting during this month is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the foundational acts of worship for Muslims. Fasting during Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset, but it also holds deep religious, social, and spiritual significance for Muslims. In this essay, we will explore the roles of fasting in Islam and its significance in the lives of Muslims.

Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for adult Muslims who are physically and mentally capable of observing the fast. It is considered a crucial act of worship and a means of gaining closeness to Allah (SWT), the Arabic term for God in Islam. Muslims fast as an act of obedience to Allah's commandments and as a way of seeking His blessings, forgiveness, and mercy. It is believed that during Ramadan, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained, making it an auspicious month for seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

Fasting during Ramadan involves abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs such as sexual intimacy, smoking, and other harmful behaviors from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib). The fast begins with the pre-dawn meal known as Suhoor or Sehri and is broken with the evening meal known as Iftar. Suhoor is eaten before dawn to provide nourishment and energy for the day of fasting ahead, and Iftar is a time of celebration when Muslims break their fast with dates and water followed by a wholesome meal. These meals hold special significance in Ramadan as they are associated with the Prophetic tradition (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who used to partake in Suhoor and break his fast with dates and water.

Apart from the physical aspect of fasting, Ramadan holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims. It is a time of self-reflection, self-discipline, and self-control. Muslims strive to develop self-restraint and control over their desires, temperaments, and negative behaviors during this month. It is a time of increased devotion to Allah through prayers, recitation of the Quran, and engaging in acts of charity and kindness. Muslims are encouraged to engage in additional voluntary prayers known as Taraweeh, which are performed after the evening prayers (Isha) during Ramadan. The recitation of the Quran is also given special importance during this month, as Muslims aim to complete the entire Quran through daily recitation known as Khatm-ul-Quran during Ramadan. Acts of charity, known as Sadaqah, are also emphasized during Ramadan, as Muslims are encouraged to give to the less fortunate and engage in acts of kindness and generosity.

Ramadan also has important social roles within the Islamic community. It fosters a sense of community and togetherness as Muslims all over the world fast together, break their fasts together, and engage in acts of worship collectively. Families come together for Suhoor and Iftar meals, and special congregational prayers are held in mosques. It is also a time of increased social awareness and empathy towards the less fortunate, as Muslims are reminded of the blessings they have and are encouraged to share with those in need. Zakat, the obligatory act of giving a portion of one's wealth to those in need, is also an important aspect of Ramadan, as it purifies the soul and helps in creating a more equitable society.

Ramadan fasting also plays a significant role in promoting physical and mental health. The physical benefits of fasting include detoxification of the body, improved digestion, and weight management. Fasting has been scientifically proven to have numerous health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, improving cardiovascular health, boosting the immune system, and promoting mental clarity and focus. Additionally, the self-discipline and self-control developed during Ramadan can have a positive impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. Muslims learn to control their impulses and develop resilience and patience through the practice of fasting, which can be beneficial in other areas of their lives as well.

Ramadan fasting has a profound impact on the individual's spirituality. It is a time of increased worship and reflection, as Muslims strive to strengthen their relationship with Allah through acts of devotion such as prayers, Quranic recitation, and reflection on one's actions and intentions. The act of fasting itself is seen as a form of worship, as Muslims consciously abstain from food and drink, and other permissible things, solely for the sake of pleasing Allah and seeking His pleasure. This heightened state of worship during Ramadan helps Muslims to rejuvenate their faith, renew their commitment to Islam, and experience a sense of spiritual renewal.

Another important role of Ramadan fasting is the development of empathy and compassion towards those who are less fortunate. Fasting reminds Muslims of the plight of those who are hungry, thirsty, and deprived of basic necessities of life. It creates a sense of empathy and motivates Muslims to be more charitable and compassionate toward those in need. This spirit of generosity and kindness is manifested through acts of charity, volunteering, and helping those who are struggling, thereby promoting social solidarity and cohesion within the Islamic community.

In addition to the individual and social roles of fasting, Ramadan also has broader societal and cultural impacts. The month of Ramadan is a time of increased spiritual awareness and religious practice among Muslims, and it creates a unique atmosphere of piety and devotion in Islamic societies. Many Muslims look forward to Ramadan as a time of renewal, reflection, and increased religious activities. The spirit of Ramadan is reflected in the cultural practices of Muslims during this month, such as special Ramadan decorations, festive gatherings, and unique culinary traditions associated with Suhoor and Iftar meals. Ramadan also has economic implications, as there is increased economic activity during the month, with markets staying open late into the night to accommodate the needs of those observing the fast.

Moreover, Ramadan serves as a time of increased interfaith understanding and dialogue. Non-Muslims often show interest in learning about Ramadan and fasting, which provides an opportunity for Muslims to share their faith and beliefs with others. It promotes tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding among people of different faiths and cultures, fostering harmonious relationships and building bridges of understanding between communities.

It is important to note that Ramadan fasting is not without its challenges. The long hours of fasting, especially in regions with hot climates, can be physically demanding. Hunger, thirst, and fatigue can be challenging, and Muslims are required to exercise self-control and patience throughout the day. However, these challenges are seen as opportunities for personal growth and spiritual development, as Muslims learn to overcome their physical desires and focus on their spiritual connection with Allah.

Ramadan fasting plays multifaceted roles in Islam, encompassing individual, social, spiritual, cultural, and interfaith dimensions. It is a time of increased worship, self-discipline, self-reflection, and compassion toward others. It promotes physical and mental health, social cohesion, and empathy toward the less fortunate. Ramadan fasting is not only a means of fulfilling a religious obligation but also a profound spiritual journey that allows Muslims to draw closer to Allah, develop their character, and cultivate virtues such as patience, self-control, and compassion. It fosters a sense of community and togetherness among Muslims, promotes interfaith understanding, and creates a unique spiritual atmosphere in Islamic societies. Overall, Ramadan fasting holds significant importance in the lives of Muslims and serves as a pillar of Islam that strengthens their faith, character, and commitment to their religious beliefs and practices.