Information about ramadan: part one

here is part two...

The Sunan (Recommended Acts) of Fasting
They are as follows:
1. Hastening the breaking of the fast: This is breaking the fast (Al-Iftar) immediately after it is confirmed that the sun has set. This is due to the Prophet's statement:

"لَايَزالَ النَاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَلُوا الْفِطْرَ"

(The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten in breaking the fast). (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

And the statement of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him: "Verily the Prophet صَلَََى الله وَسَلَم did not used to pray Al-Maghrib (the prayer after sunset) until he broke his fast (first), even if it was with a drink of water." (At-Tirmithi, and he said it is Hasan)

2. Breaking the fast with fresh dates, dried dates or water: The best of these three things is the first of them (fresh dates), and the last of them (water) is the least preferred of them. It is also recommended to break the fast with an odd number - three, five or seven (of whatever is being eaten). This is due to the statement of Anas bin Malik: "The Messenger of Allah صَلَى الله وَسَلَم used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying (I.e. the Maghrib prayer). If there were no fresh dates, he would break his fast with dry dates. If there were no dry dates he would take some sips of water." (At-Tabarani)

4. As-Sahur (Pre-Dawn Breakfast): This is eating and drinking during the last part of the night before dawn with the intention of fasting. This is due to the Prophet's statement:

"اِنَّ فَصْلَ مَابَيْنَ صِيَامِنَا وَصِيَامِ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ أَكَْلَةُ السَحَرِ"

(Verily that which separates (i.e. distinguishes) between our fast and the fasting of the People of the Book (i.e. Jews and Christians) is the eating before dawn (Sahur)). (Muslim)

"تَسَحَرُوا فَاِنَ فِي السَحُورِبَرَكَةً"

(Eat the meal of Sahur for verily in the Sahur there are blessings). (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Matters that Nullify the Fast
• Change of intention: If one has the intention, while fasting to break his fast
before sunset, he, in effect, has voided his fast even if he does not actually eat anything after having that intention. Intention is one of the pillars of one's fast. [4]

• Menses and Post-Partum bleeding: Appearance of menstruation or postpartum bleeding voids the fast even if such bleeding begins just a few minutes before sunset.
...Because the Prophet صَلَى الله وَسَلَم said:

"ألَيْسَتْ اَذَاحَاضَتْ لَمْ تُصَلِ وَلَمْ تَصُمْ"

(Is it not the case that when she gets her periods she does not pray or fast?). (Al-Bukhari) [3c]

• Ejaculation: Ejaculation of sperm voids the fast even if it was just due to kissing,
hugging or masturbation. In the Hadith Qudsi, Allah says: "The fasting person leaves his food, drink and desire for Me." (Bukhari) Kissing that does not lead to ejaculation is allowed for those who can control themselves. [4]

• Supplements and nutritional injections or drips: These dietary intakes also break
the fast as they defeat one of the main objectives of fasting, namely, to undergo thirst and hunger, and hence break the fast. The days in which the fast was broken must be made up before the next Ramadan. [5]
.... things that invalidate the fast is anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking
This includes two things:
1- Transfusion of blood to one who is fasting – such as if he bleeds heavily and is
given a blood transfusion. This invalidates the fast because blood is formed from food and drink.
2- Receiving via a needle (as in the case of a drip) nourishing substances which take
the place of food and drink, because this is the same as food and drink. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p/ 70.
With regard to injections which do not replace food and drink, rather they are administered for the purpose of medical treatment – such as penicillin or insulin – or are given to energize the body, or for the purpose of vaccinations, these do not affect the fast, whether they are intravenous or intramuscular (injected into a vein or a muscle). Fataawa Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, 4/189. But to be on the safe side, these injections may be given at night.
Kidney dialysis, in which blood is extracted, cleaned and then returned to the body with the additional of chemical substances such as sugars and salts etc. is regarded as invalidating the fast. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/19 [3d]

• Apostasy: If a fasting person becomes a disbeliever, then their fasting becomes
void, as Allah Most High says:

"لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ"

(If you commit shirk (associate others in worship with Allah), then surely (all) your deeds will be in vain ...). (39:65)

• Intentionally vomiting: Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: “Whoever vomits involuntarily does not have to make up the fast, but whoever vomits deliberately let him make up the fast.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 720, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 577. [3d]
However, whoever is overcome by vomiting and he vomits without him choosing to do so, this does not harm his fast.

• Letting blood by the means of cupping: Because the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done have both invalidated their fast.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2367; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2047.
Donating blood comes under the same heading as cupping, because it affects the body in the same way.
Based on this, it is not permissible for a person who is fasting to donate blood unless it is essential, in which case it is permissible. In that case the donor has broken his fast and must make up that day later on. Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p. 71
If a person suffers a nosebleed, his fast is valid, because that happened involuntarily. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/264
With regard to bleeding that results from extraction of a tooth, surgery or a blood test etc., that does not invalidate the fast because it is not cupping or something that is similar to cupping, unless it has an effect on the body similar to that of cupping. [3d]

All of these things break the fast and necessitate making up for the day that was nullified by them. However, there is no expiation that is required for these days, as expiation is only required for two (specific) things that nullify the fast, and they are as follows:

1. Intentionally having sexual intercourse under no compulsion: This is due to the statement of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him:

"A man came to the Prophet صَلَى الله وَسَلَم and said, 'I am destroyed, 0 Messenger of Allah صَلَى الله وَسَلَم'
He said:

"مَا أَهْلَكَكَ"

(What has destroyed you?)

The man said, 'I had sex with my wife during Ramadhan.'
He said:

"هَلْ تَجِدُ مَاتُعْتَقِدْ رَقَبَةً"

(Do you have a slave that you can free?)

The man said, 'No.' He said:

"هَلْ تَسْتَطِيعَ أَنْ تَصُومَ شَهْرَينِ مُتَتَا بِعَيْنِ؟"

(Are you able to fast two consecutive months?)
The man said, 'No.' He said:

"فَهَلْ تَجِدُ مَا تُطْعِمُ سِتِينَ مِسْكِينًا"

(Do you have enough to feed sixty poor people?)

The man said, 'No.' Then the man sat down. Then a basket containing dates was brought to the Prophet صَلَى الله وَسَلَم and he said:

"خُذْ تَصَدَقَ بِِهَِاذَا"

(Take this and give it away as charity).
The man said, 'Shall I give it to someone poorer than us, for I swear by Allah, there is not a family between its (AI-Madinah's) two mountains more in need of it than us?' So the Prophet صَلَى الله وَسَلَم laughed until his molar teeth became visible and he said:

"اَذْهَبْ فَأَطْعِمْهُ أَهْلَكَ"

(Go and feed your family with it). (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

2. Eating or drinking without a valid excuse: This is the view of Abu Hanifah and Malik, may Allah have mercy upon them. Their proof is that a man broke his fast during Ramadhan, so the Prophet صَلَى الله وَسَلَم. ordered him to make an expiation (for his sin). (Malik) In a Hadith of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said, "A man came to the Prophet صَلَى الله وَسَلَم and said, 'I intentionally broke my fast one day during Ramadhan.' The Prophet صَلَى الله وَسَلَم said:

"أَعْتِقْ رَقَبَةً٬ أَوْصِمْ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتِينَ مِسْكِينًا"

(Free a slave or fast two consecutive months or feed sixty poor people). (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Any Muslim who eats or drinks intentionally has broken their fast. Whoever does this must repent to Allah, asking Him for forgiveness. Many of the Muslim scholars are of the opinion that this day should be made up for before the next Ramadan. Imam Abu Hanifah holds the opinion that in addition to repenting and making up for the day, he must also feed a poor or needy person. This view is also held by Imam Malik.[5]

None of the things that break the fast – apart from menstruation and bleeding following childbirth – invalidate the fast unless three conditions are met:
(i) that the person knows that this breaks the fast and is not unaware of that
(ii) that he remembered that he was fasting and had not forgotten
(iii) that he does it voluntarily and is not coerced. [3e]

.....We should also note some things that do not invalidate the fast:
• Enemas, eyedrops, eardrops, tooth extraction and treatment of injuries do not invalidate the fast. Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/233; 25/245
• Medical tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat asthma attacks etc, so long as you avoid swallowing any residue.
• Insertion of anything into the vagina such as pessaries, or a speculum, or the doctor’s fingers for the purpose of medical examination.
• Insertion of medical instruments or IUD into the womb.
• Anything that enters the urinary tract of a male or female, such as a catheter tube, or medical scopes, or opaque dyes inserted for the purpose of x-rays, or medicine, or a solution to wash the bladder.
• Fillings, extractions or cleaning of the teeth, whether with a siwaak or toothbrush so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
• Rinsing the mouth, gargling, sprays etc. so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
• Oxygen or anaesthetic gases, so long as that does not give the patient any kind of nourishment.
• Anything that may enter the body via absorption through the skin, such as creams,poultices, etc.
• Insertion of a fine tube via the veins for diagnostic imaging or treatment of the veins of the heart or any part of the body.
• Insertion of a scope through the stomach wall to examine the intestines by means of a surgical operation (laparoscopy).
• Taking samples from the liver or any other part of the body, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions.
• Endoscopy, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions or other substances.
• Introduction of any medical instruments or materials to the brain or spinal column.
• And Allaah knows best.
• See Majaalis Ramadaan by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, and the booklet Sab’oona
Mas’alah fi’l-Siyaam. [3d]

Controversial issues:
• Water Entering the Stomach Accidentally: Water that enters into the stomach as a result of sniffing or rinsing out of the mouth has has also caused controversy amongst the scholars.
The correct opinion is that the fast is not broken, as this has occurred unintentionally. Bathing and showering are permissible actions when fasting. Swimming is also permissible as long as care is taken not to swallow water. If however a person knows from past experience that they may swallow water whilst swimming, then it is not permitted to swim whilst fasting.
• Use of Puffers: According to a number of scholars, the use of puffers for asthma does not break the fast. This is because the puffer is considered as compressed gas that goes to the lungs, and does in no way nourish or quench the thirst. [5]

here is the third and final part.
now you can add your own info, if you want.

What is Permissible for the Fasting Person to do
Certain matters are permissible for the fasting person. They are as follows:

• Cleaning the teeth with the tooth stick during the entire day....
• Cooling oneself with water from the severity of the heat. It makes no difference whether he pours it over his body or immerses himself in it.
• Eating, drinking and having sexual intercourse during the night, until it is verified that Fajr has come in.
• Traveling for a permissible need, even if he knows that his journey will compel him to break his fast.
• Treating illness with any lawful medicine that does not reach the inside of the body (i.e. the stomach). This includes the use of the needle (i.e. for a shot) if it is not for nourishment.
• Chewing food for a small infant when there is no one else who can chew his and it must be chewed. This is with the condition that none of the food reaches the interior (i.e. stomach) of the person who chews it.
• Using perfume and incense. This is because there is nothing reporting the prohibition of any of this from the Shari'ah


The following information was taken from Al-Jumuah Magazine. It is an article written by AbdulAziz M. As-Sahaan, under the heading “Common mistakes during fasting.”

“Feeling guilty in tasting food:”
Some women are reluctant to tast their food in case they ruin their fasting. there is no need for this reluctance ss long as no food is swallowed. Ibn Abbas said, “It is okay to taste the food or drink” (Bukhari). Shaikh Abdullah ibn Jibreen was asked, “can a cook, whilst fasting, taste the food beong cooked to make sure it is good?” He replied, “it's okay to taste the food when necessary by placing it at the tip of the tounge to know its sweetness, saltiness or the like. Nothing should be swallowed but it should be spat. That will not riun the fast.” [4]

What is Excusable
Certain matters are excused concerning the fasting person.
They are as follows:
• Swallowing saliva, even if it is a lot. What is meant here is the person's own saliva and not the saliva of someone.
• Unintentional vomiting and that which comes up with belching if nothing of it returns to the person's stomach after it reached the edge of his tongue.
• Swallowing a fly unintentioally and not by choice.
• Swallowing dust from the road and factories, smoke from firewood and other types of smoke which are not possible to avoid.
• Waking up in the morning sexually defiled even if the entire day passes on the person and he is sexually defiled (i.e from the previous night).
• Wet dreams. There is no sin upon the person who has a wet drean while he is fasting. this is based on the hadith

" ُرفِعَ الْقَلَمُ عَنْ ثَلَاثَةٍ: عَنْ الْمَجْنُونِ حَتَى يُِِفِيقَ٬ وَعَنْ الْنَائِمَ حَتَى يَسْتَيقِظَ٬ وَعَنْ الْصَبِيِ حَتَى
يَحْتَلِمَ"

(The pen is lifted from three (people): the insane person until he rgains his intellect, the sleeping person until he awakens and the child until he reaches the age of puberty). (see earlier).
• Eating or drinking accidentally or forgetfully.....However, concerning the
nonobligatory fast, one is definitely not obligated to make it up. This is due to the Prophet's statement:

"مَنْ نَسِيَ وَهُوَصَائِمٌ فَأَكَلَ أَوْ شَرَبَ فَلْيُتِمَ صَوْمَهُ٬ فَاَنَمَاأَطْعَمَهُ الله وَسَقَاهُ "

(Whoever forgets while he is fasting and he a\eats or drinks, then let him complete his fast. For it was only Allah who fed him and gave him drink). (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
and his statement:

"مَنْ أَفْطَرَ فِي رَمَضَانَ نَاسيًا فَلا قَضَاءَ عَلِيهِ وَلَا كَفَارَةَ"

(Whoever breakes his fast during Ramadan due ti forgetfulness then he does not have to make up for that day, nor make an expiation). (Ad-Daraqutbi and it is sahih).

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References:
[*] All information has been taken from the book 'Minhaaj ul-Muslim' by Abu Bakr Jabir Al-Jaza'iry. Volume 2. First edition 2001, unless otherwise stated.

Text that is underlined and italisied is not an original of the sourses used.It has been added to ensure that the article flows with consistency, and therefore avoids any misunderstandings and confusions.

[1] Due to the fear of this article being too lengthy, certain information was not added, such as how a sick person should fast, etc. However, if you are interested in such information, please refer to the following link. http://islamqa.com/index.php?pg=arti...g&article_id=8

[2] Al-Sheha, Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Karim What every Muslim needs to know about purification. Second edition: 2004.

[3] Islam-qa.com:
a. An excerpt from fatwa number 26863
b. Fatwa number 8691
c. An excerpt from fatwa number 38023
d. An excerpt from fatwa number 38023
e. An excerpt from fatwa number 40698. see also fatwa number 22981

[4] Al-Jumuah Magazine. Volume 11, Issue 9, December 1999

[5] Ramadan in a nutshell. What every muslim should know about fasting. A pamphlet produced by: Islamic Information and Resource Centre (IIRC).