WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RAMADAN (EPISODE 2)


EPISODE 2: Fasting the Month of Ramadan
By Yusuff Ademola Adesina


It gives me a great pleasure having you read this episode. In the previous episode, I have discussed the virtues of Ramadan; follow this link if you missed episode 1
(http://themindbuilders.blogspot.com.ng/2017/05/what-you-should-know-about-ramadan.html)
. And I believe by now, you should be well acquainted of the virtues of Ramadan and be eager to witness its commencement. in shaa Allah.

But, how much do you know about the obligation of fasting in the month and its rulings? In this episode, I shall discuss the obligation of fasting in the month of Ramadan, things that vitiate fasting, people exempted from the obligatory fasting and the rulings related to breaking or missing the fast.

Obligation of Fasting in Ramadan

Fasting (Siyaam in Arabic) literally means abstaining; in Islam it means abstaining from things that break the fast (such as foods, drinks, smoking) from dawn until sunset, having made intention to fast. In addition, fasting requires one to avoid evil speech and actions, for Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.” (SahihBukhari, Vol. 3, Bk 31, No 127)

It is unanimously agreed upon that fasting the month of Ramadan is OBLIGATORY, the evidence of which are:

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Q2:183)


Narrated Ibn `Umar: Allah's Apostle said:

“Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): to testify that there is no deity (owing the right to be worshipped) but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, to offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly, to pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity), to perform Hajj (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca) and To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.” (SahihBukhari, Vol. 1, BK 2, No 7)

Thus whoever breaks the fast during Ramadan without legitimate excuse has committed a serious major sin.

The Beginning of Ramadan

The onset of Ramadan is confirmed by the sighting of the new crescent of the month, or by the completion of thirty days of the preceding month, Shaban. Hence, fasting becomes obligatory afterwards.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the prophet of Allah said:

“Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), completely thirty days of Sha’ban.” (SahihBukhari, Vol. 3, Bk 31, No 133)  

People Exempted from the Obligatory Fasting of Ramadan

Fasting is binding on every adult, sane and healthy Muslim who is able to fast and has no legitimate excuse. However, there are some categories of people who are exempted from obligation.

  1. The ill and traveller

“…and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…” (Q2:185)

Jabir bin Abdullah narrated: Allah’s Apostle was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, ‘What is the matter?’ They said, “He (the man) is fasting.” The prophet said, “It is not righteousness that you fast on a journey.” (SahihBukhari, Vol. 3, Bk 31, No 167)    

2.                  The menstruating, pregnant and breast-feeding woman

The Prophet said:

“Truly, Allah has relieved the traveler of half (his) prayer and has given him leave of break (his) fast and He has also given leave I respect to the sick, the woman who suckles a child and the pregnant women, when they fear (harm) to their children.” (Tirmidhi)

3.                  The elderly

Narrated 'Ata: That he heard Ibn `Abbas reciting the Divine Verse: "…And for those who can fast they had a choice either fast, or feed a poor for every day..."(2.184) Ibn `Abbas said, "This Verse is not abrogated, but it is meant for old men and old women who have no strength to fast, so they should feed one poor person for each day of fasting (instead of fasting). (SahihBukhari, Vol. 6, Bk 60, No 32)

Things that Vitiate the Fast

Apart from menstruation and post-natal bleeding, other things that can break the fast are considered to do so, if one of the following conditions applies:

  1. If the person knows that it breaks the fast;
  2. If he is consciously aware of what is doing; that is, not has forgotten that he is fasting;
  3. If he does it intentionally.

Other things that break the fast apart from menstruation and post-natal bleeding are:

Sexual intercourse, cupping, blood transfusion, eating or drinking, deliberate vomiting and injections.

Things that do not break the fast include: kidney dialysis, eye-drops, ear-drops, having a tooth extracted, nose-drops and so on.

Forgetfulness during the fast

Whoever eats or drinks forgetfully during his fast should complete his fast and he does not need to make it up, for Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah.” (SahihBukhari, Vol. 3, Bk 31, No 154)

Whoever sees someone else who is eating because he has forgotten, he should remind him, for Allah says:

“…Help one another in righteousness and piety…” (Q5:2)  

Rulings on Missing or Breaking the Fast    

Whoever misses the fast of Ramadan for a legitimate excuse aforementioned above; (or in another word, the exempted person from the fast due to illness, menstruation, travelling, breastfeeding etc) is to make up for the equal number of days he misses, for Allah says:

“[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of other days [are to be made up]...” (Q2:184)

As for the elderly who are unable to fast, they are to give a ransom by feeding a poor for each day. The evidence for this is the verse of Quran that says:    

“…And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]…” (Q2:184)   



Whoever breaks his fast intentionally (by eating, drinking, smoking, or vomiting by sticking his finger down his throat) has committed a grave major sin, and he has to fast for the rest of the day, repent and make up for the equal number of days.

As for he who breaks his fast by deliberately having sexual intercourse with his wife or concubine, he has to continue the fast for the rest of the day, repent, make up for the fast and offer expiation, for Abu Huraira narrated:

“While we were sitting with the Prophet a man came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have been ruined." Allah's Apostle asked, ‘what was the matter with him?’ He replied "I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting." Allah's Apostle asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. Allah's Apostle asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative…” (SahihBukhari, Vol. 3, Bk 31, No 157)



I hope you have learnt and benefitted from this episode. I look forward to having you read the next episode wherein I shall discuss the Sunnah of Sahur and Iftar, the spiritual and biopsychosocial virtues of fasting and the night prayer (Taraweeh).


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