Ramadan Kareem

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience. It is a time to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God, and put into practice selflessness. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to put forward more prayer than is customary.

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of the Islam religion, and one of the main types of Islamic worship. Restraint from everyday enjoyment and curbing wicked intentions and cravings are considered as an act of compliance and obedience to God, as well as amends for sins, faults, and mistakes. Ramadan is also called Ramazan. During Ramadan, Muslims request forgiveness for sins in the past, pray for direction and assistance in abstaining from everyday troubles, and endeavor to cleanse themselves through self-control and great acts of faith.

In comparison to the solar calendar, the Ramadan dates differ, moving forward approximately ten days every year due to the fact that it is a moving holiday which is dependent on the moon. Ramadan was the month in which the initial verses of the Qur'an were said to be shown to Muhammad, the Islamic Prophet.

The name "Ramadan" had been the name of the ninth month in Arabian tradition prior to the onset of Islam; the word itself originated from an Arabic root “rmd”, in words like "ramida" or "ar-ramad” which means severe heat, burnt ground as well as shortness of provisions. Individuals say it is named Ramadan because it burns out the sins with good deeds, as the sun scorches the ground. In the Qu'ran, God declares that "fasting has been written down upon you, as it was upon those before you". In accordance with the first hadith, this is in reference to the Jewish custom of fasting on Yom Kippur.

The lunar cycle determines the Islamic calendar, therefore the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month commences with a mixture of the sighting of the new moon as well as astronomical calculations. The precise time of Ramadan will at times vary from place to place because some depend a great deal on moon sightings, while others rely on science. An Imam which is a Muslim holy man will make known the correct time of Ramadan right before it begins. The fasting phase finishes upon the sighting of the next new moon, which take place after 29 or 30 days.

Ramadan conveys an extraordinary sense of emotional enthusiasm and religious eagerness among Muslims of all ages. Even though fasting is compulsory for adults alone, children as young as eight readily watch fasting with their elders. Children look forward to the thrill of the moon sighting and eating unique meals with their relatives. Adults are grateful for the chance to double their rewards from God and ask for pardon for their past sins. Ramadan highlights Muslim brotherhood and customs and brings about a special feeling of closeness.

What Breaks/Invalidate the Fast?

Some of the things that invalidate the fast involve things coming out of the body, such as intercourse, deliberate vomiting, menstruation and cupping. These things that come out of the body weaken it. Hence Allaah has described them as being things that invalidate the fast, so that the fasting person will not combine the weakness that results from fasting with the weakness that results from these things, and thus be harmed by his fast or his fast no longer be moderate.
And some of the things that invalidate the fast involve things entering the body, such as eating and drinking. If the fasting person eats or drinks, he does not achieve the purpose of fasting.
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/248
Allaah has summed up the things that break the fast in the verse where He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allaah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall”
[al-Baqarah 2:187]
In this verse Allaah mentions the main things that invalidate the fast, which are eating, drinking and intercourse. The other things that break the fast were mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his Sunnah.
There are seven things that break the fast, as follows:
1-     Intercourse
2-     Masturbation
3-     Eating and drinking
4-     Anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking
5-     Letting blood by means of cupping and the like
6-     Vomiting deliberately
7-     Menstruation and nifaas
The first of the things that invalidate the fast is: intercourse.
This is the most serious and the most sinful of the things that invalidate the fast.
Whoever has intercourse during the day in Ramadaan deliberately and of his or her own free will, in which the two circumcised parts meet and the tip of the penis disappears in either of the two passages, has invalidated his fast, whether he ejaculates or not. He has to repent, complete that day (i.e., not eat or drink until sunset), make up that day’s fast later on and offer a severe expiation. The evidence for that is the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “I am doomed, O Messenger of Allaah!” He said, “Why are you doomed?” He said, “I had intercourse with my wife (during the day) in Ramadaan.” He said, “Can you free a slave?” He said, “No.” He said, “Can you fast for two consecutive months?” He said, “No.” He said, “Can you feed sixty poor persons?” He said, “No.”…
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1936; Muslim, 1111.
No expiation is required for any of the things that break the fast apart from intercourse.
The second of the things that invalidate the fast is masturbation.
This means causing ejaculation or climax by using the hand etc.
The evidence that masturbation is one of the things that invalidate the fast is the words of Allaah in the hadeeth qudsi in which He says of the fasting person: “He gives up his food and drink and desire for My sake.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1894; Muslim, 1151. Causing ejaculation comes under the heading of the desire which the fasting person gives up.
Whoever masturbates during the day in Ramadaan has to repent to Allaah and refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and he has to make up that fast later on.
If he starts to masturbate then stops without ejaculating, he has to repent, but his fast is still valid, and he does not have to make it up later because he did not ejaculate. The fasting person should keep away from everything that provokes desire and shun bad thoughts.
With regard to the emission of madhiy (prostatic fluid), the most correct view is that it does not invalidate the fast.
The third of the things that invalidate the fast is eating or drinking  This refers to food or drink reaching the stomach via the mouth.
If anything reaches the stomach via the nose, this is like eating or drinking.
Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Snuff up water deeply into the nose (when doing wudoo’), except when you are fasting.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 788. If water reaching the stomach via the nose did not invalidate the fast, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not have told those who are fasting not to snuff up water deeply into the nose.
The fourth of the things that invalidate the fast is anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking
This includes two things:
1-     Transfusion of blood to one who is fasting – such as if he bleeds heavily and is given a blood transfusion. This invalidates the fast because blood is formed from food and drink.
2-     Receiving via a needle (as in the case of a drip) nourishing substances which take the place of food and drink, because this is the same as food and drink. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p/ 70.
With regard to injections which do not replace food and drink, rather they are administered for the purpose of medical treatment – such as penicillin or insulin – or are given to energize the body, or for the purpose of vaccinations, these do not affect the fast, whether they are intravenous or intramuscular (injected into a vein or a muscle). Fataawa Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, 4/189. But to be on the safe side, these injections may be given at night.
Kidney dialysis, in which blood is extracted, cleaned and then returned to the body with the additional of chemical substances such as sugars and salts etc. is regarded as invalidating the fast. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/19
The fifth of the things that invalidate the fast is letting blood by means of cupping
Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done have both invalidated their fast.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2367; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2047.
Donating blood comes under the same heading as cupping, because it affects the body in the same way.
Based on this, it is not permissible for a person who is fasting to donate blood unless it is essential, in which case it is permissible. In that case the donor has broken his fast and must make up that day later on. Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p. 71
If a person suffers a nosebleed, his fast is valid, because that happened involuntarily. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/264
With regard to bleeding that results from extraction of a tooth, surgery or a blood test etc., that does not invalidate the fast because it is not cupping or something that is similar to cupping, unless it has an effect on the body similar to that of cupping.
The sixth of the things that invalidate the fast is vomiting deliberately  Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever vomits involuntarily does not have to make up the fast, but whoever vomits deliberately let him make up the fast.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 720, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 577.
Ibn al-Mundhir said: The scholars are agreed that the fast of one who vomits deliberately is invalidated. Al-Mughni, 4/368.
Whoever vomits deliberately by sticking his finger in his throat, pressing his stomach, deliberately smelling something nasty or persisting in looking at something that makes him vomit, has to make up his fast later on.
If his gorge rises, he should not suppress it, because that will harm him. Majaalis Sharh Ramadaan, Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, p. 71.
The seventh of the things that invalidate the fast is the blood of menses and nifaas
Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Is it not the case that when she gets her period, she does not pray or fast?” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 304.
When a woman sees the blood of her period or nifaas (post-partum bleeding), her fast becomes invalid even if that is one moment before sunset.
If a woman feels that her period has started but no blood comes out until after sunset, her fast is still valid.
If the bleeding of a woman who is menstruating or in nifaas ceases at night and she has the intention of fasting, then dawn comes before she does ghusl, the view of all the scholars is that her fast is valid. Al-Fath, 4/148.
It is preferable for a woman to keep to her natural cycle and to accept that which Allaah has decreed for her, and not to take any medicine to prevent her period. She should accept what Allaah has decreed for her of not fasting during her period, and make up those days later on. This is what the Mothers of the Believers and the women of the Salaf used to do. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/151. In addition, it has been medically proven that these means of preventing menstruation are harmful and many women have suffered menstrual irregularities as a result. If a woman takes pills and her period stops as a result, that is fine, she can fast and her fast is acceptable.
These are things that invalidate the fast. All of them – apart from menses and nifaas – only invalidate the fast if three conditions are met: that the person was aware of the ruling and not ignorant of it; that he did it knowingly and not out of forgetfulness; and that he did it by choice and was not forced to do it.
We should also note some things that do not invalidate the fast:
Enemas, eyedrops, eardrops, tooth extraction and treatment of injuries do not invalidate the fast. Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/233; 25/245
Medical tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat asthma attacks etc, so long as you avoid swallowing any residue.
Insertion of anything into the vagina such as pessaries, or a speculum, or the doctor’s fingers for the purpose of medical examination.
Insertion of medical instruments or IUD into the womb.
Anything that enters the urinary tract of a male or female, such as a catheter tube, or medical scopes, or opaque dyes inserted for the purpose of x-rays, or medicine, or a solution to wash the bladder.
Fillings, extractions or cleaning of the teeth, whether with a siwaak or toothbrush, so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
Rinsing the mouth, gargling, sprays etc. so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
Oxygen or anaesthetic gases, so long as that does not give the patient any kind of nourishment.
Anything that may enter the body via absorption through the skin, such as creams, poultices, etc.
Insertion of a fine tube via the veins for diagnostic imaging or treatment of the veins of the heart or any part of the body.
Insertion of a scope through the stomach wall to examine the intestines by means of a surgical operation (laparoscopy).
Taking samples from the liver or any other part of the body, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions.
Endoscopy, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions or other substances.
Introduction of any medical instruments or materials to the brain or spinal column.

Other source description:

O people! Be conscious of Allah and thank Him for making His Deen, or religion, clear to you. Follow in the footsteps of the Prophets and messengers in the way they obeyed Allah and were conscious of Him. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala has commanded things so do not neglect or waste them. He also defined limits and borders so do not transgress them.

Among the boundaries that Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala has set and clarified is that of fasting. This is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala made very clear when fasting starts and when it ends, both in terms of the month in which it starts and in terms of what time of the day each individual fast is to start and end. Allah said regarding this month: “... So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e. is present at his home), he must fast that month” (Al-Baqarah: 185).

Also, in a Hadith of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) he said: “If you see it then fast and if you see it then break your fast (meaning mark that as the end of the month). If you could not see it because of clouds then count of the month as having thirty days”.

‘It’ here is referring to the crescent. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says which translates as: “... So now have sexual relationships with them (your wives) and seek that which Allah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)” (Al-Baqarah: 187)

Then we are to continue fasting until the following nightfall. Once you distinguish that it is dawn either by actually seeing it if you were outside in the open, or by hearing the Adhan, which is the call for prayer, that indicates dawn, then the time of fasting has started. This will end at the following sunset. The Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said to his companions, may Allah be pleased with them: “Bilal calls the Adhan while it is still dark so (continue to) eat and drink until you hear the Adhan of Ibn Umm Makhtum, for he does not call the Adhan until it is dawn”.

He (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) also said: “When the night comes from this side (and he pointed towards the east) and when the day or the light leaves from this side (and he pointed towards the west) and the sun sets then the fasting person can break his fast”.

O people! Be aware that there are seven categories of actions, which will nullify your fast:

Number One: Having sexual intercourse with his/her spouse. This is one of the worst ways of deliberately terminating one’s fast. If this occurs then one must pay a Kafarah, or expiation. Indeed this incurs a very harsh penalty if this sin was to have taken place during the daytime in the month of Ramadan by someone upon whom it was obligatory to fast. The punishment is that they must release a slave; if they do not find one then they must fast consecutively for two months. If they are unable to do this then they must feed sixty poor persons.

Number Two: Deliberate discharge of sperm. This may occur due to kissing, touching, hugging, masturbating (which is forbidden even when not fasting) or any other means. If however this occurs during one’s sleep then it does not nullify the fast. This is because the sleeping person has no control of his body and therefore could not have deliberately done this.

Number Three: Eating and/or drinking. This is allowing food or drink go to reach one’s stomach irrespective of whether it is Halal (permissible) or Haram (forbidden). It is also irrespective of whether it has entered through one’s mouth or nose. Regarding this the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: ‘Exaggerate in performing the Wudhu’ and putting the water in your nose unless you are fasting’. This is proof of the fact that anything that enters through the nose is akin to something entering through the mouth. On the other hand, smelling things do not break ones fast as this does not result in anything entering the stomach.

Number Four: Anything having the same effect as eating and/or drinking. This can be by means of needles, drops or supplements as long as it has nutritional value. On the other hand if these do not have any nutritional value then using them would not affect your fast in any way.

Number Five: Drawing out blood and Hijamah (cupping). Hijamah is something that is done by means of needles or razors to make holes in the skin in order to get bad blood out of the body. The Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “The one who gets the blood out of his body and the one doing this for him have both broken their fast”.

If however one takes or draws blood out of his body to analyse it for sicknesses, then this is something that does not break the fast because it is something that has a negligible effect on the body, unlike the effect that Hijamah would have. Also, if one has a nosebleed or bleeding due to extracting a tooth, then this will not affect the fast, as this is unintentional and uncontrollable. One should take care not to swallow any blood in these cases though as this is impermissible whether one is fasting or not. Opening a wound to expel pus from a wound, even if this results in a discharge of blood, will also not affect the fast.

In the case of a fasting person having blood taken from his body in order to donate it to a needy donor, this is something that would break the fast as it involves an excessive amount of blood, just as Hijamah does. Therefore, it is not permissible for fasting persons to have blood taken from them and to donate it to others unless the benefactor is in a critical condition and cannot wait until sunset. In this case, it is permissible for the donor to have a certain amount of blood extracted from him due to necessity. The donor may eat and drink that day but must make up a days fasting in the future due to this day – which counts as a missed fast.

Number Six: Intentionally vomiting. Intentionally vomiting will nullify one’s fast. If one were to vomit unintentionally then this would not nullify the fast because the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “He who vomits unwillingly does not have to make up for it (his fast), but he who vomits intentionally must make up for it”.

The six categories of actions that I have mentioned so far that would nullify one’s fast would only do so if one were to knowingly and willingly do them. If one were to commit these acts due to forgetfulness or ignorance then they are not held responsible and do not need to make them up.

The proof for this is the saying of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala: “...And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend” (Al-Ahzab: 5)

Imam Bukhari narrated an authentic tradition from Asma bint Abu Bakr (Radhiyallahu Anha) where she said: ‘During the time of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) we broke our fast on a cloudy day (thinking that it was sunset) but then the sun came out (and so we realised that we had ended our fast too early)’.

She did not state that the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) commanded them to make up for this day and had it been that he (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) had commanded this, and then she surely would have mentioned it. This is because Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala would not let a ruling that is an obligation pass without clarifying it.

So, once a person has committed such a mistake and realizes that it is still daytime, he must immediately refrain from eating or drinking. If he were to continue eating or drinking then his fast would be nullified. Nothing nullifies or breaks the fasting if done in a state of forgetfulness because Allah says which translates as: “Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or fall in to a mistake” (Al-Baqarah: 286).

Also, the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “He or she who forgot that they were fasting and then eat and drink, then let him or her continue their fasting because it is Allah Subhanahu wa Taala who gave them that food and drink”.

But if they were to remember or are reminded that they are fasting, then they must immediately stop eating or drinking. If they were to continue then their fast would be nullified. If they are reminded whilst food or drink is in their mouth, then they must spit out the contents of their mouth as swallowing will nullify their fast.

If one sees a fasting person eating or drinking in a state of forgetfulness, then they must remind that person. This is an example of enjoining good and righteousness.

It does not nullify one’s fast if something was to happen forcefully, such as dust entering the stomach, or if a small quantity of water were to enter the stomach due to a mistake made during Wudhu. This may happen for example by gargling or snorting water too violently.

Number Seven: menstrual or post-natal bleeding. This is where blood is discharged by a woman as part of the menstrual period or during the time immediately following pregnancy. As soon as this blood is discharged, even if it was just one second before sunset, then that days’ fasting is rendered null and void. If a woman were to get the feeling in her body that the blood is about to come out, but it does not actually do so until sunset or later, then this is not a problem and her fast is still intact. A fasting person can use mascara; perfume, eye or ear drops and apply medicine to their wounds. However they cannot smell or inhale the vapour that emanates from some perfumes and incense, as this will reach their stomach.

A fasting person can cool themselves by rinsing their bodies with water or wetting their clothes. It is reported that Imam Malik (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrated from some of the companions of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) that they said: “We saw the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) pouring water on his head due to the intense heat and thirst (that he was suffering from) while he was fasting”.

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (Radhiyallahu Anhu) used to wet his garments and wear them whilst fasting. It is also permissible for the fasting person to use the Miswak, or   tooth-stick, at any time of the day, whether it is at the beginning, middle, or end of the day. In fact it is the Sunnah to use it. It is better to use the Miswak at the time of Salah, Wudhu, when waking up from sleep and when first entering one’s house.

It is also the Sunnah of the Prophet (Radhiyallahu Anhu) that a fasting person breaks his fast with Ruthab, which is type of ripe date. If this is unavailable then one should use dates and failing this then one should use water. Otherwise, one should eat or drink anything, which is permissible as soon as the sun sets.

If one happens to be in a place with no food or drink at sunset then he must intend to break his fast in his heart and should not suck his finger, as some people do.

O believers! Protect your Siyyam, or fasting, and do not indulge in disputed arguments, sleeping with your wives, telling lies and giving false testimony. This is because for those who do not abstain from lying and giving false testimony, Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala has no need of them to abstain from food and drinks.

O believers! Perform Salah at its due time in congregation. Exert more effort in performing optional Salah and in the remembrance of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. Recite more of the Qur’an, give more in charity, abstain from the prohibited things that Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala commanded you to stay away from, such as Namimah, or backbiting.

Broadly speaking, Namimah means to cheat, lie or curse and includes all forms of false speech. If someone were to curse you or attempt to dispute with you, then you should say ‘Indeed I am fasting, I am fasting’, thereby avoiding such problems.

Stay away from listening to music on the radio or anywhere else because fasting is a shield with which people prevent themselves from sinning and by which they rescue themselves from the hellfire. We must not commit sins or neglect our obligations while fasting because this will dramatically reduce our reward.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become conscious of Allah”. (Al-Baqarah: 183)

And Allah knows best.