What to do and not do when fasting
It is a myth that fasting can be done to please one’s children or spouse. However, it is also true that the intention for observance of fasting must be done only to seek God’s pleasure alone, not to make your husband or wife happy. All acts of worship are done with pure intention. One of the conditions for a fasting person is to be a Muslim. This implies therefore the fasting of a non-Muslim mother does not benefit her Muslim child or husband.
What you need to know:
Fasting was prescribed in order for those observing it to attain piety. There are however some myths surrounding it, which are not true.
Myth: One should start fasting from the first day, including the “day of doubt” which comes at the beginning of Ramadhan. The day of doubt refers to that day when people are not sure about the sighting of the moon and whether it is the first day of Ramadhan because they did not sight the moon, and they fast just to be on safe side.
Fact: It is forbidden to fast on the “day of doubt”. One of the great companions of the Prophet (pbuh) Ammaar Ibn Yaasir said: “Whoever fasts on the “day of doubt” has disobeyed Abu Al-Qaasim (the Prophet).”
Myth: Fasting includes only mere abstinence from food, drinks and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset.
Fact: In a broader perspective, fasting refers to abstinence from food, drinks, sexual intercourse, false speech and actions, foul speech, arguing, and slandering from dawn until sunset with the explicit intention of doing so for the sake of Allah, the All-Mighty.
Myth: If you forget and eat or drink whilst fasting and you are reminded, you should just give up that day and continue to eat and drink and prepare to make up for that day after Ramadhan.
Fact: Whoever forgets and eats while fasting must stop upon realisation of that error. In a tradition transmitted by Al-Haakim and Ad-Darqutny, the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever breaks his/her fast due to forgetfulness in the month of Ramadhan, he/she has no any expiation nor making up in the later days after Ramadhan.”
Myth: When fasting, one should postpone bathing during the day as doing so might nullify the fasting.
Fact: Pouring water over oneself or submerging one’s body in water due to thirst or extreme heat does not nullify fasting. Abu Bakr Ibn Abdurrahman reported from a number of companions of the Prophet (pbuh) that they had seen Allah’s Messenger pour water over his head while he was fasting due to thirst or extreme heat.
Myth: One should not brush their teeth.
Fact: If it would not cause difficulty to the Muslims, the Prophet (pbuh) would have commanded them to brush their teeth at the time of every prayer. Al-Bukaari, a great scholar of the Prophet’s traditions says not brushing does not apply to the fasting person in exclusion of others. It is a good thing for the fasting person to brush his/her teeth because this practice pleases Allah and makes the mouth clean both of which are desired at all times.
Myth: Anything related to women like hugging, kissing or touching is prohibited because it might lead to sexual intercourse. Also, it not permissible to marry or get married during the fasting period.
Fact: Though sexual intercourse for legally married Muslims, during the day (from dawn to sunset) of Ramadhan is prohibited. It is risky to put oneself in the danger of kissing one’s wife or husband as such acts might lead to the release of sexual fluids that nullifies the fasting or sexual intercourse that has serious penalties. But if one can control themselves, there is no harm. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her said: “The Prophet would kiss and embrace while he was fasting, for he had the most control of all of you over his desires.” Muslims are allowed to have sex with their wives during the nights of Ramadhan until the time of Morning Prayer (Fajr). Allah states in Qur’aan 2:187; “It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of fasts…..”
Myth: Swallowing one’s saliva, dust, flour and similar things nullify the fasting.
Fact: All the above are overlooked and regarded as permissible during the fast to the extent that scholars and great companions like Abdallah Ibn Abbas permit women to taste by their edges of the tongue without swallowing anything.
Key Aspects of fasting
Who should fast? :
• Anyone fasting should be a Muslim not polytheist or magician or devil worshipper.
• Must be sane .
• Maturity though children are recommended to fast as well .
• One must be healthy or free from any chronically known disease.
• If she is a woman, she must be free from menstruation, post birth bleeding, or breast feeding with difficulties or pregnant.
• Should not be a traveller of a long journey that might pose danger to his/her life.
Undesirable acts for a fasting Muslim:
• Rinsing the mouth and nose deeply during ablution.
• Kissing for someone who might not control him/herself.
• Continued gazing at women.
• Thinking about sexual intercourse.
• Touching a woman with sexual intentions.
• Tasting food.
• Rinsing the mouth for one who is not having ablution.
Nullifiers of fasting:
• Intentional eating or drinking.
• Intentional vomiting.
• The menses and post childbirth bleeding even if it happens just a few hours to sunset.
• Ejaculation of sperm.
• Declaration of the intention of breaking of the fast even if someone has not eaten anything.
• Sexual intercourse during day.
• Fasting without a break after sunset.
• False speech and actions.
• Foul speech, arguing and slandering or backbiting.
• Denunciation of Islam.
Desirable practices for fasting Muslims
• Eating a pre-dawn meal slightly before morning prayer.
• Hastening in breaking the fast.
• Supplications while breaking the fast and while fasting.
• Refraining from any actions that do not befit fasting.
• Using the tooth stick (brush).
• Being generous.
• Recitation of Qur’aan.
• Striving to perform as many acts of worship as possible during day and night of Ramadhan.
• Spending more time in the Mosque.
• Praying to Allah regularly.
• Attending study circles in Mosques and other places.
• Recommended statements or words
• Teaching others what you know.
• Performing prayer in the congregation.
The following don’t nullify fasting:
• Brushing the teeth.
• Use of any injection.
• Pouring water over one’s head due to much heat or thirst.
• Having sex with one’s spouse during the nights of Ramadhan.
• Any treatment or medication which does not go through the gullet.
• Chewing the food for the baby without swallowing any.
• Wearing perfume.
• Applying eye drops.
• Cupping to drain blood.
• Eating and drinking due to forgetfulness.
• Wet dream.
• Waking up in the morning in state of purity due to sexual intercourse.
Compiled By Abdulhamid Mpoza
