Ramadan is just around the corner. It will be a great blessing for those of us who live to see it and pick its invaluable fruits. It is a time of Taqwa (piety), of Eeman (faith), and of Ihsaan (excellence). Its time for renovation of faith, for renewal of our pledge to Allah Almighty, for refueling our soul for the onslaughts the next year holds for us. Yet, it will pass by many of us without touching them. How deprived are those who will remain untouched by it! And how lucky are those whom its nights will bless with tears of love and fear, and its days with the sweet hunger and thirst of fasting!
Allah breaks the monotony of human life by appointing times and places that He, by His infinite Wisdom and Knowledge, made special, ones that have the special touch of Allah's Benediction and Blessing. This concept of blessing is extremely important for it appears quite frequently in the Qruan and the Prophetic narrations.
The concept of blessing has a kind of mystery in it. The devoted slave of Allah does not know exactly how, when and in what form will the promised increase or acceptance descend, so he or she keeps an eye on the unknown prize and keeps going. It is hidden in some moments of the night, some morsels of food, some days of the week, some months of the year, and some cities or places in the world. No one knows but The All-Knower- Allah, The Most Exalted.
Even a cursory look at the history of various human cultures shows that humans have a timeless instinct to separate the special from the mundane and to distinguish the sacred from the profane. This very distinction has formed the essence of worship in all human societies, primitive or modern. In the true religion of Allah, all sanctity and devotion goes finally to Allah, and Allah alone. Yet to break our routine, to grab our attention, to challenge our intellect, to satiate our spiritual yearning, and finally to fill our instinctive need of worship, devotion and love, Allah has chosen, by His Wisdom, tangible symbols for us. These symbols of time and space, of sacred moments and blessed places, are an aid to our worship. Ramadan is perhaps the richest, the largest and the most loaded of these symbols
The modern secular society has played havoc with this sense of sacredness, leaving us without symbols and their spirituality and mystery. Surrounded by man-made buildings, cars, computers, highways and gadgets, we forget The Creator of the makers of these trivialities. Emails preempt prayers, cheap fiction strikes off the Quran, fashion magazines replace beneficial books; TV sports take care of any reflective moments you might have otherwise had.
So much so that the month of Ramadan takes many of us by surprise when our favorite news service announces that the `Muslims are celebrating Ramadan tomorrow'. Ramadan comes to many of us without arousing any ecstasy in the heart or anticipation in the mind. All the joys of its anticipation and memories of its presence are sidelined by the clutter of this busy life. A provocative email going around these days understandably spells BUSY out as: 'Being Under Satan's Yoke!'
If you are busy, but not necessarily getting much done in terms of real responsibilities of your life, that is, there is no blessing in your time and efforts, nor have you any `spare' time for pondering Allah's Message, then be sure, the one keeping you busy is none but Satan. The solution is easy: seeking Allah's refuge. But it is being aware and ready perpetually to seek Allah's refuge that makes the toughest challenge. The times and places of blessing help us do just that.
Don't be too busy for Ramadan. Small things like Masjid announcements about Ramadan and other sacred days and nights, discussions with friends and relatives about your plans to read Quran and mutual encouragement to excel in piety can work wonders. Seek blessings by keeping track of the Islamic calendar and of the months and days, fasting on the recommended days, and visiting outdoors to reflect upon the creation of Allah. Learn the sayings of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) about such blessed moments like Ramadan, and intensify your worship, devotions and supplications during these times. Keep your tongue wet by remembering Allah and asking for His mercy and blessings. Meet the blessed Ramadan fully prepared to reap its gifts. Pray that Ramadan touches you with its incalculable blessings.
The following acts, when done knowingly and deliberately in the days of Ramadan, will invalidate the fast. In addition to being considered great sins, a person committing one of these acts will have to continue fasting the rest of the day that he/she committed it, and he/she is also required to take certain measures of reconciliation as indicated below.
1-Intentional eating, drinking
Allah Says (what means): "And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the night [i.e. sunset]." [Quran 2:187].
This applies to the one who does so consciously. However, if a person eats or drinks forgetfully or accidentally or is forced to do it, the fasting is intact and the day is not to be made up; and the person should continue fasting.
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever forgets he is fasting, and eats or drinks is to complete his fast, as it is Allah Who fed him and gave him something to drink." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others]
Ibn Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Allah has excused for my Ummah (Muslim community) mistakes, forgetfulness and what they are forced to do." [At-Tahaawi, Al-Haakim and Ad-Daraqutni]
Similar to eating and drinking is smoking (besides being prohibited in itself) and letting any substance into the stomach.
However, if a person eats or drinks out of forgetfulness, then he/she should continue fasting, and the day fasted is valid and counted and does not need to make up the day. This is based on the Hadeeth (narration) in which the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) 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." [Al-Bukhari]
Similarly, if a person breaks the fast before the actual Maghrib (sunset) or after Fajr (dawn) because of a mistake in time recognition, he is not to make up that day.
2-Sexual intercourse
Just like eating and drinking, Allah has forbidden sexual intercourse during the days of Ramadan. Almighty Allah Says (what means):
"It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you [i.e. offspring]. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the night [i.e. sunset]. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His verses [i.e. ordinances] to the people that they may become righteous." [Quran; 2:187]
Muslim scholars differ about stimulating oneself [whether alone or with his wife or vise versa], without intercourse, to the point of ejaculation. Some of them treat it as complete intercourse, while others say that it does not invalidate the fast even though it causes a loss of its rewards.
3-Intentional vomiting
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever is overcome by vomiting is not to make up the day. Whoever vomits intentionally must make up the day." [Ahmad and others]
4-Poor Intentions
Failing to intend (i.e. with the heart) to fast from before the dawn of the day of fast. (Note: voluntary fasting is excluded from this requirement)
Intending to stop fasting at any moment during the day of fast.
These last two actions are related to the heart and to the intention which is an essential element [or pillar] of fasting. These actions void the fast even if the person does not actually eat anything. This is because the intention is one of the pillars of the fast and, if one changes his/her intention, he/she has nullified his/her fast.
Except intercourse, a day invalidated by such an action cannot be atoned by even fasting the whole life. Thus, in addition to the making up the day, the only way to atone such an act is by true and sincere repentance and strong determination never to do it again.
The only action, according to most scholars, which requires that both the day be made up and the act of expiation be performed is having sexual intercourse during a day of Ramadan.
Abu Hurayrah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), and said: "I am destroyed, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), asked: "What has destroyed you?" He said, "I had intercourse with my wife during a day of Ramadan." The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), asked: "Are you able to free a slave?"He said, "No". The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), asked: "Is it possible for you to fast for two consecutive months?" He said, "No." The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), asked: "Is it possible for you to feed sixty poor people?" He said, "No." The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), said: "Then sit."A basket of dates was brought to the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), and he said to the man: "Give this in charity." The man said: "To someone poorer than us? There is no one in this city who is poorer than us!" The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), laughed until his molar teeth could be seen and said: "Go and feed your family with it." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others]
Most scholars say that both men and women have to perform the acts of expiation (Kaffaarah) if they intentionally have intercourse during a day of Ramadan on which they had intended to fast.
5-Injections containing nourishment
Though this type of action is committed intentionally and thus falls under intentional eating and drinking, it is not considered as a sin if given to a sick person in need of it. All what is needed is to make up the day later. These injections are meant to give nourishment intravenously so that it reaches the intestines, with the intention of nourishing the sick person. Also if the injection reaches the blood-stream then it likewise breaks the fast since it is being used in place of food and drink. Similar is the use of drips containing glucose and saline solutions, and inhalers used by people sick of asthma. May Allah relieve all sick believers.
Involuntarily events that break the fast
The fast is disrupted (and there is no point or reward then in continuing to fast) when a woman sees the blood caused by either of:
1-Menstruation
2-post-childbirth bleeding
Even if such bleeding begins just before the sunset, the fast of that day is rendered invalid. A woman in this case will have to fast a day later for every day (or part of day) that she missed.
If a menstruating woman becomes pure (ceases bleeding) before dawn, then she takes her Ghusl (purifying shower) and intends to fast the next day. However, if she becomes pure after Fajr (dawn) then she takes her Ghusl, and starts praying as usual, and the day has to be made up after Ramadan. She may eat and drink during that day as it is an invalid day as Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen may Allah have mercy upon them observed.
The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), said: "Is it not that when she [the woman] menstruates, she does not pray nor fast?" We (present companions) said: Yes indeed. He said: "That is the deficiency in her Deen [religion]". [Muslim]
The order to make up for the days of menstruation is reported in the lesson `Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, gave to Mu`aath, may Allah be pleased with him, who came and asked her "Why is it that the menstruating woman has to make up her fasts but not the prayers?" …`Aa'ishah said: "That (menstruation) used to come upon us and so we were ordered (by the Prophet, slallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) to make up the fasts and were never ordered to make up the prayers." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Al-Bukhari may Allah have mercy upon him has reported that the Messenger of Allah ( sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )) said: "Paradise has eight gates and one of them is Ar-Rayyaah through which none will enter but those who observe fasting." As-Suyooti may Allah have mercy upon him has reported that Al-Haarith Ibn Kalda may Allah have mercy upon him stated that: "Imposing abstinence from food" was the essence of medicine. Fasting, in medical terms, may mean a variety of things.
Some health care practitioners might recommend juice fasting. This type of fast eliminates all solid foods and the person consumes only fruit and vegetable juices. Others might recommend elimination of all foods except fruits and water for a specified time. Some might even recommend eliminating all foods and drinks for specific periods. The reported purpose for these forms of fasting is to cleanse toxins and poisons form the body and the digestive tract. Islamically speaking, fasting both voluntary and obligatory is an act of worship. Although there may be health benefits, its primary purpose must always be to please Allah.
Alternative medicine views fasting as a detoxification method. This simply means that it is used to purify the body by eliminating "toxins." This process enhances the healing processes of the body. Fasting generally is perceived to spare any harm to vital organs but uses fatty tissue, etc. For energy production. Naturopathic health care practitioners generally
proscribe short fasts. Because body temperature may drop during a fast, as does blood pressure, pulse, and respiration, it is considered important to stay warm. Fasting is seen as possible treatment for a variety of disorders and diseases including: obesity, chemical poisoning, arthritis, allergies, psoriasis, eczema, leg ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchial asthma and even depression.
Fasting is a protection for the body and the mind. At-Tirmithi may Allah have mercy upon him has reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Fasting and the Quran intercede for a man. Fasting says, 'O my Lord I have kept him away from his food and his passions by day, so accept my intercession for him.' The Quran says, 'I have kept him away from sleep by night so accept my intercession for him.' Then their intercession is accepted." Research has shown that fasting can improve the control of diabetes. Another study has shown that fasting improved the health of persons with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Another study suggests that fasting may improve cholesterol levels.
Al-Bukhari may Allah have mercy upon him has reported that the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said that Allah said: "All the deeds of the children of Aadam are for them, except fasting, which is for Me and I will give the reward for it." Al-Bukhari may Allah have mercy upon him has also reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) narrated that Allah said: "The fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (who observes the fast) leaves his (sexual) desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a shield (from Hell) and there are two pleasures for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. The smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk."
There are specific requirements for the Muslim to consider when fasting. First is the intention to worship Allah and obey His commandments. Second, is that the fasting must take place between dawn to dusk. Muslims are prohibited from fasting for more than two continuous days without breaking the fast. This is based on the narration reported in Al-Muwatta, which states that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) forbade fasting for two days or more without breaking the fast in between. Likewise, fasting is prohibited on certain days: 'Eed Al-Fitr, 'Eed Al-Adh-Haa, and on Jumu'ah (Fridays unless the person has fasted the day before or will fast the day after). Married women are admonished not to fast without the permission of their husbands, as the husbands have a right over their wives.
Breaking the fast with dates or sips of water is better. Again, this is based on the Prophet's Sunnah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) and the narration reported by Abu Daawood may Allah have mercy upon him: "When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates, but if he cannot get any, then (he should break his fast) with water, for water is purifying." Muslim may Allah have mercy upon him has reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "The Ajwah date is an excellent remedy." The best days for fasting are Mondays and Thursdays. At-Tirmithi may Allah have mercy upon him also reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "The deeds of men are presented to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like mine to be presented when I am fasting." The thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth of each lunar month are also recommended for fasting.
While both the obligatory fasting during Ramadan and the voluntary fasting during the remainder of the year are acts of worship, they may provide healing to the body. Whatever healing may occur because of fasting is a blessing from Allah, however this should not be the intention or the goal of fasting. Fasting gives us a greater ability to control our desires and emotions. It should not be considered a "cure-all" or a diet program. Those who fast will receive their reward from Allah as long as their intentions are pure and their fasting is not harmed or nullified by lying, backbiting, or evil deeds.
