5. Qurʾānic Command
َبِت
ُك
اَمَك ُماَي ِّصٱل ُمُكْيَلَع َبِت
ُك
وَمُناَء َنيِذ
َّل
ٱ اَهُّيَأ
ٰٓـَي
َن
و
ُقَّتَت ْمُكَّلَعَل ْمُك
ِل
ْبَق
ِمن َنيِذ
َّل
ٱ ى
َلَع
O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you,
as it was prescribed for those before you, so that
you may be mindful of God.
(Sūrah al-Baqarah, 1:183)
6. Prophetic Ḥadīth
َّنَأَو ُهَّل
ال ا
َّل
إ َهَل
إ ا
َل ْنَأ
ِةَد
اَهَش
ٍس
ْمَخ
ى
َلَع ُما
َلْس
ِإ
ْل
ا َيِنُب
ِّج
َحَو ِةا
َكَّز
ال ِءاَتيِإ
َو ِةا
َل َّص
ال ِما
َق
ِإ
َو ِه
َّل
ال
ُل
وُسَر اًدَّمُمَح
َن
ا
َضَمَر ِمْو َصَو ِتْيَبْل
ا
Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no
god but Allah and that Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah,
establishing Ṣalāh, paying the Zakāh, making the pilgrimage to
the House [of Allah, i.e, Kaʿbah], and fasting in Ramaḍān.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
8. Fasting (Ṣawm)
Linguistic Meaning Legal Meaning
to abstain “... to abstain from eating,
drinking, and sexual intercourse
during the daylight hours, with
an intention of fasting,
performed by one capable and
required to do so.”
9. “... to abstain from eating, drinking, and
sexual intercourse during the daylight
hours, with an intention of fasting,
performed by one capable and required to
do so.”
11. “... to abstain from eating, drinking, and
sexual intercourse during the daylight
hours, with an intention of fasting,
performed by one capable and required to
do so.”
13. “... to abstain from eating, drinking, and
sexual intercourse during the daylight
hours, with an intention of fasting,
performed by one capable and required to
do so.”
14. intention:
not required to say
anything with the
tongue
firm resolve in
your heart to
perform an act
of worship
15. “... to abstain from eating, drinking, and
sexual intercourse during the daylight
hours, with an intention of fasting,
performed by one capable and required to
do so.”
16. Upon Whom is Fasting Obligatory
if they are:
1. physically able to fast
2. free from menstruation and lochia (post-natal bleeding)
3. resident, i.e., not traveling
Muslim Sane (ʿĀqil) Mature (Bāligh)
1 2 3
27. To partake of suḥūr (the meal
eaten prior to beginning the
fast in the morning)
1
“Eat suḥūr, for indeed there is
blessing in it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
28. To partake of dates in suḥūr
2
“How excellent are dates as the
believer’s suḥūr.”
(Abū Dāwūd)
29. To delay the suḥūr up to a
little before dawn (ṣubḥ ṣādiq)
3
“Verily, we the group of prophets,
have been commanded to delay our
suḥūr.”
(Ibn Ḥibbān)
30. To end one’s fast immediately
after the sunset by consuming
something, and not to delay
in doing so
4
“The people will remain on goodness as long as
they hasten the opening of the fast.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
31. To break one’s fast with dates
(fresh or dry) if available; if
dates are not available, then
water is the alternative.
5
“The Messenger of Allah used to open his fast with
some fresh dates before he prayed. If there were no
fresh dates, then with some dry dates. If there were no
(dry dates), then he would drink a few sips of water.”
(Abū Dāwūd)
33. To chew gum, rubber, etc.
To taste any food or drink and then to spit it out.
To collect one’s saliva in the mouth and then to
swallow it, trying to quench thirst.
To intentionally delay an obligatory bath (ghusl)
until after dawn.
To use toothpaste to clean one’s teeth.
(It is permitted to clean using a miswāk.)
1
2
3
4
5
34. To complain of hunger and thirst.
To take water up the nostrils more than necessary
when cleaning the nose.
To gargle more than necessary.
To quarrel, argue, or use filthy language.
To backbite, tell a lie, and swear, etc.
(These are sinful acts even when one is not fasting.
Therefore, they entail greater sin if done when fasting.)
6
7
8
9
10
44. 2. Entry Points/Cavities of Consequence
Mouth
Thus, other entry points, such
as the ears, eyes, etc., are NOT
cavities of consequence.
Nose
Back Passage
Only those entry points are considered
that are medically established to have a
connection to the digestive system.
45. Masʿalah
Therefore, ear drops will not invalidate
the fast.
However, if someone has a perforated eardrum
(the eardrum is broken), it will invalidate the fast.
46. The fast will be invalidated when...
a substance of consequence,
enters through a cavity of consequence...
47. 3. Places of Consequence
Digestive
System
Throat
Stomach
Intestines
48. The fast will be invalidated when...
a substance of consequence,
enters through a cavity of consequence,
reaches a place of consequence...
49. 4. Excuse
Forgetfulness (details later)
Food stuck in the teeth if smaller than a chickpea (details
later)
Things that one is not able to guard oneself against, and if
one were to do so, then it would entail unbearable
hardship, such as:
Water that remains in the mouth and nose from wuḍūʾ
Possible damp when one is showering
Mucus, Snot, and Saliva
Saliva that may end up on the lips from talking
Bugs and flies entering your mouth involuntarily
50. 4. Excuse
Examples of Invalid Sharʿī Excuses
Accidents
Invalidating the fast out of necessity
Unawareness or not having knowledge
Sleeping
Unconsciousness
Insanity
Being forced
51. a substance of consequence,
In conclusion, when:
1.
2. enters through a cavity of consequence,
3. reaches a place of consequence, and
4. there is no excuse...
the fast will be
invalidated.
54. Eating, drinking or breaking
the fast in any other manner,
deliberately without a valid reason
Qaḍāʾ and Kaffārah Necessary
1
55. To take any type of medicine
intentionally (i.e., through the
mouth or applied through the nose)
without a valid reason
(Note: intravenous or intramuscular
injections do not break the fast)
Qaḍāʾ and Kaffārah Necessary
2
56. To have sexual intercourse
intentionally while remembering
that one is fasting
Qaḍāʾ and Kaffārah Necessary
3
57. Eating, drinking or breaking the fast in any other
manner, deliberately without a valid reason
To take any type of medicine intentionally (i.e.,
through the mouth or applied through the nose)
(Note: intravenous or intramuscular injections
do not break the fast)
To have sexual intercourse intentionally while
remembering that one is fasting
Qaḍāʾ and Kaffārah Necessary
1
2
3
58. know you are fasting
eat/drink something
on purpose
Deliberate Forgetful Accidental
forget you are fasting
eat/drink something
on purpose
know you are fasting
eat/drink something
accidentally
(something goes down
your throat)
No Consequence
Qaḍāʾ &
Kaffārah
only Qaḍāʾ
62. Intentionally swallowing a pebble,
paper, or any item that isn’t
normally used as food or medicine
(things that fall under the category
of ‘effective’ food & drink)
63. Thinking Fajr hasn’t started and
continuing to eat
(due to a faulty watch, for example)
64. Breaking the fast before the time of
Maghrib, thinking sunset already
happened
66. Swallowing water by accident
when gargling for wuḍūʾ or ghusl
(with the exception of water that
remains in the mouth)
67. Anything put by force into the
mouth of a fasting person which is
consequently swallowed
(it came previously that being
forced is not a sharʿī excuse)
74. principle
For a fast to get invalidated,
a substance of consequence [solid, liquid, or discernible gas]
enters through an opening of consequence [nose, throat, or
back passage]
reaches a place of consequence [throat, stomach, or intestines]
and there is no excuse.
77. do not invalidate the fast
because
the ears are not an opening of consequence
(unless the ears are perforated)
Eardrops
78. Injections
do not invalidate the fast
because
they are not given through an opening of consequence
(insulin injections injected directly into the stomach
will invalidate the fast)
79. Mosquito, fly, dirt, dust, etc. going
down the throat unintentionally
do not invalidate the fast
because
there is an excuse
80. Blood Tests & Withdrawing Blood
do not invalidate the fast
because
nothing of consequence is entering any opening of
consequence
if the person will become extremely weak due to the
blood test, it will be disliked (makrūh) to take the test
81. Nicotine Patches
do not invalidate the fast
because
it is not entering any opening of consequence
82. Taking a bath to keep cool
Vomiting unintentionally
Brushing the teeth
without toothpaste
do not invalidate the fast
83. in principle does not invalidate the fast
however,
there is a strong possibility of some substance, such as water from the
cleaning dispenser, going down the throat, thus invalidating the fast.
Therefore, it is advisable to postpone the tooth extraction.
(If there is severe need, one should try his best that blood does not enter
the throat. If blood enters the throat, the fast will be nullified if the
amount of blood exceeds the amount of saliva or if both are equal.)
Tooth Extraction
84. Note:
what has been mentioned is the general rule,
simplified for easy understanding
for specific cases, refer to local, reliable ʿulamāʾ
86. Fast 60 days consecutively.
If one day is missed in-
between, you will have
to start over again.
However, if a woman experiences
menstruation during these days, due to which
she was unable fast, it will not be regarded as
discontinuity.
87. If one is unable to do this, due to an unrecoverable
and continuous illness or old age, then:
Feed 60 poor people
two meals for a day
Feed one poor person
two meals for sixty days
1 2
Give 60 poor people
3½ lbs. of wheat, or its
value in cash, rice, or
food grains, etc.
Give one poor person 3½
Ibs. of wheat, or its value
in cash, rice or food
grains, etc., for sixty days
3 4
88. Along with fasting the 60
consecutive days, the person will
also have to fast one more day as
qaḍāʾ for the broken fast.
60 Days + 1 Day = 61 Days
Expiation
(Kaffārah)
Makeup
(Qaḍāʾ) Total
89. Kaffārah is only for breaking a
Ramaḍān fast.
Breaking a nafl fast necessitates
qaḍāʾ only.
92. fasting will make
them more sick
fasting will delay
their recovery
will make up the fast later
(if unable to do so due to a chronic illness,
he will give fidyah)
93. fasting will make
them more sick
fasting will
significantly delay
their recovery
How will this be determined?
94.
95. if it is a non-Muslim doctor,
or non-religious Muslim doctor,
or the doctor is scared to give a judgement for fear of being liable,
then the patient will take his word but will also use his own
judgement and look at his past experience
the doctor will be asked for his medical opinion
and not for a fatwā
96. the person is aware that every single year, in
this certain season that Ramaḍān happened to
fall in this year, he gets very sick...
97. it is very obvious that the person is
extremely ill and unable to fast that day
98. Masʿalah
If a person suffers from an illness or has an
asthma attack, and there is no option but to
take medicine or use an inhaler, it will be
permissible to break the fast.
However, he will have to do Qaḍāʾ.
99. Woman in Menses or
Postnatal Bleeding
will make up the fast later
100. Ramaḍān has begun
while she is in the
state of menstruation.
Menstruation starts
during the day.
Menstruation stops
during the day.
1 2 3
She should eat in a
manner that no
fasting person sees
her eating.
She should break
her fast and eat, but
in a manner that
no fasting person
sees her eating.
She should conduct herself
like a fasting person and
abstain from eating and
drinking for the rest of the
day.
101. Pregnant or Nursing Women
expected to fast
if there is legitimate harm for herself or the
baby, she can miss/break the fast
(same criteria for establishing harm as above)
will make up the fast later
102. Hunger & Thirst
if there is severe hunger or thirst that
may lead to extreme illness or death,
can miss/break the fast
will make up the fast later
104. journey is more than 54 miles
does not intend to stay for more than
14 days
will make up the fast
later if he doesn't
fasting highly recommended
105. City Boundary
City Boundary
Current Time: 5:00
Dawn (Fajr Start): 5:00
even though he intends to travel later
in the day,
or he has already started his journey,
because he is still in his hometown
when Fajr enters:
has to fast
106. City Boundary
City Boundary
Current Time: 5:00
Dawn (Fajr Start): 5:00
because he is on his journey and
outside his hometown when Fajr
enters:
fasting highly
recommended
108. A very old person who does not have the
strength to fast,
or a very sickly or diseased person who has
no hope of recovering after Ramaḍān,
should pay an expiation (fidyah) for each fast
missed in Ramaḍān.
109. 3½ lbs of wheat
or
7 lbs of barley
or
the equivalent of the above in cash
Fidyah Amount
Note: This can also be identified as the
amount given in Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr.
110. If the person paid the fidyah, then recovers,
the missed fasts would have to made up and
the expiation paid would be considered
ṣadaqah.
Masʿalah
116. What should a person do if he has to break
his fast (due to a reason mentioned above)?
Question:
It is wājib to abstain from eating and
drinking for the rest of the day and
act like a fasting person.
Answer:
117. What happens if a person eats or drinks
forgetting that he is fasting?
Question:
The fast will not break and
no harm is done.
Answer:
118. Can I brush my teeth while fasting?
Question:
It is makrūh as there is a possibility it
mixes with the saliva and enters the
throat.
Answer:
119. While gargling during wuḍūʾ, some water reached
my throat by mistake; did my fast break?
Question:
Yes, the fast has broken as this was
accidental and not out of forgetfulness
(because you were aware you were fasting).
You will be required to perform qaḍāʾ.
Answer:
121. The Following Do Not Invalidate the Fast
Eating or drinking
forgetfully (whilst not
conscious of fast)
Swallowing one’s own saliva
Ear drops
Eye drops
Sniffing up mucus
Inhaling smoke or dust
unintentionally
Inhaling oxygen as long as
not combined with another
substance
Using nicotine patches,
creams, deodorant,
makeup or oil
Kissing or touching one’s
spouse
Involuntary ejaculation or
engaging in sexual
intercourse forgetfully
Backbiting or lying
122. The Following Do Not Invalidate the Fast
Starting the fast in the state
of major ritual impurity
Injection, blood transfusion,
or kidney dialysis
Blood test or any form of
blood extraction
Tooth extraction subject to
not swallowing the blood or
medicine
Swimming without
swallowing water
Miswāk or toothbrush
(toothpaste should be
avoided for risk of being
swallowed)
Vomiting unintentionally
or vomiting intentionally
less than a mouthful
Swallowing vomit that
emerges unintentionally
even if it is a mouthful
123. The Following Do Invalidate the Fast
Eating or drinking
deliberately or accidentally
(whilst conscious of fast)
Swallowing toothpaste or
mouthwash
Swallowing blood from
the gums or toothpaste
or mouthwash if they
dominate over the saliva
Swallowing the saliva of
one’s spouse
This includes:
Swallowing what is
between the teeth if it is
the size of a small
chickpea or larger
Nasal spray if the
medication passes the
throat
Medicine inhalers such
as an asthma inhaler
124. The Following Do Invalidate the Fast
Inhaling smoke deliberately;
Sexual intercourse deliberately
Ejaculation caused by physical stimulation;
Vomiting a mouthful deliberately
Returning a mouthful vomit down the throat
deliberately
Menstruation or post-natal bleeding
this includes smoking cigarettes
this includes masturbation
125. May Allāh subḥānahū wa-taʿālā accept our
actions, grant us all the tawfīq and ability
to act upon what we learn, and carry out
those actions that are pleasing to Him.
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