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The rules of month-long fasting

FASTING is a distinctive feature of Islam, which is compulsory on every able-bodied adult Muslim man and woman.

Those who are exempted from fasting during the holy month of Ramadan are insane, children who are not adolescent yet, (children do not have to fast, but they should be encouraged to fast so that they get used to it when time comes), the elderly and infirm, including chronically ill for whom fasting is unreasonably strenuous. However, such persons are required to feed at least one poor person daily in Ramadan.

Pregnant woman may postpone the fasting till a later date, as the sick and travellers can also defer their fasting. Fasting for women during the period of menstruation or of post-childbirth confinement is forbidden, but should be made up later. The above-mentioned exemptions also confirm that Islam is against undue forcing and compulsions. It is the most facilitating and pragmatic religion. The Holy Quran says: “Allah intends every facility for you. He does not want to put you to difficulties.”

Fasting starts every day in this holy month at the break of dawn, which is also the start of the Fajr prayer time, and ends at the sunset. The validity of the fasting depends on the following:

Abstaining from food, liquids and sexual activity from dawn to sunset.

The intention (Niyat) to fast must be made every day before dawn at the time of Suhoor. (Intention can also be made during night before sleeping).

Suhoor is eating before fasting. It should be as close to Fajr time as possible. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says “partake Suhoor, for there is a blessing in Suhoor” (Bukhari — Muslim).

It is desirable to break fast as soon as possible. Breaking fast with dates or water is the tradition of the Prophet. Following is the Dua (supplication) for breaking the fast. “O Allah! For you did I fast and with your bounties I am breaking the fast.”

The things/acts that invalidate fast are of two kinds. The first one requires Qada (only by making up the missed days), the other ones that require not only Qada, but also Kuffara (penalty).

Qada is required in the following cases:

Eating or drinking intentionally. These include non-nourishing items taken by mouth.

Deliberately causing oneself to throw-up.

The beginning of the menstruation or post-child birth bleeding even in the last moment before sunset.

Ejaculation for reasons other than sexual intercourse. (A person can make intention to fasting in a state of impurity and continue the fast after taking a bath after dawn).

Eating, drinking or having sex after dawn on the mistaken assumption that it is not dawn yet.

Intending to break the fast before sunset even if one changes his/her mind, since intention is one of the pre-requisite of the validity of the fasting.

Things that not only require Qada but also Kuffara (penalty):

Sexual intercourse during the fasting (dawn to dusk). The penalty is to fast an additional period of 60 days, continuously. If one is not able to do so, then he/she must feed sixty poor people — one average meal each.

A fasting person should perform his obligations and abstain from what is prohibited. He should offer his/her daily prayers in time in congregation as many times as possible. The fasting Muslim should be extraordinarily cautious in dealing with the people or conducting his business or discharging his routine duties. A faster must abstain from telling lies, backbiting, dealing in interest (usury) or indulging in anything prohibited. Instead of procrastinating and wasting time, one should recite the Holy Quran as much as possible. The Sawab (reward) of the worship, especially for praying and reciting the Holy Quran, is many folds, more than in the other days.

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