Praise be to Allah and prayer and peace be upon His Messenger Mohamed.
In this message we will tackle two important aspects of fasting:
What is permissible during fasting hours
1. Use of water in general according to companions of the Prophet (prayer and peace be upon him) who told Abou Bakr Ibn Abdul Arahman that “ I saw the Messenger of Allah (PAPBUH) pour water over his head while he is fasting due to strong thirst or heat.” Reported by Ahmed and Malik. It was also narrated under the authority of Aysha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to wake up fasting, in spite the fact that he is Junub (had a sexual intercourse and not yet washed), then he bathes for purification. Furthermore, in case water would accidentally go into a fasting person’s abdomen, fasting will remain valid.
2. Use of kohl (type of powdered eyeliner) or eye drops or other substances used for eyes since the eye is not a channel to the abdomen. One may also use oil or cream on either body or hair (moustache or beard). Smelling perfume or scented sticks will also not affect validity of fasting.
3. Kissing: however this point is conditional on ones ability of self-control. It was narrated under the authority of Aysha that she said “ The Prophet (PAPBUH) used to kiss or touch his wives during fasting hours and he is the most person among you capable of self-restraint”. However, it is more recommended to avoid falling into this situation, since it needs a confirmation of self-control. In other words, one needs to ensure that this act will not arouse any desire.
4. Injection: either inter veinous, under skin or others provided it is for treatment purposes and not nutrition. Enema also may be used during fasting hours, in addition to the asthma inhaler and taking blood samples for test purposes.
5. Taking blood from the head (this is a type of treatment which was used during the time of the Prophet (PAPBUH). Nevertheless, it will be not recommended in case weakness will result. (this point raised controversy among scholars and it is best to avoid it).
6. Washing the mouth and moving the water within (as in ablution) as well as sniffing water: Yet one should be limited while washing mouth or nose during ablution. It was narrated under the authority of Loqayt Ibn Sabra that the Prophet (PAPBUH) said “ when you sniff water during ablution you should take it to the utmost back of your nose unless you are fasting” reported by Ashab Alsunan.
7. It is also permissible for a fasting person (validity of fasting will not be affected) items which can not be avoided. These include for example: swallowing the saliva, road dust, gas (while being in a gas station) or other unavoidable items. In addition to treatment of head injuries will not break the fast. Fasting will remain valid also in cases of nose bleeding.
8. Tooth filling will not break the fast even when the patient could feel the taste in the mouth.
9. A fasting Muslim may eat, drink and have sexual intercourse between sunset and dawn. One should immediately cease any of the above mentioned as soon as it is dawn time. In case food is still in mouth one should throw it away. Similarly the intercourse. Otherwise, if one willingly continues any of those situations, fasting will be invalid.
10. In cases when woman’s menstruation or postpartum ends during the evening, she may postpone purification bathing until the morning. Yet she could take the fasting intention.
11. In cases where a fasting Muslim eats or drinks while forgetting, he / she may resume fasting as soon as he / she remembers and fasting will remain valid. Nothing is required.
12. When one eats, drinks or have sexual intercourse thinking that the grace period is still on (between sunset and before dawn) fasting remains valid. Nothing is required according to the verse: “And there is no sin on you if you make a mistake therein, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend” Quran 33:5.
13. In case one experiences wet dreams while sleeping during day time, fasting will remain valid.
What is not permissible (will break the fast):
This part is divided into two titles:
It is worth noting though that fasting will be broken when a Muslim undertakes any of the fast breaking items while he /she is doing this willingly, and fully aware (not forgetting):
I. Cases, which break the fast while making up the days, would be mandatory.
II. Cases which break the fast but require making up and ransom.
I. Cases which break the fast while making up the days would be mandatory:
1. Deliberate eating or drinking.
2. Deliberate vomiting.
3. Smoking is not allowed and does not stand as an excuse for not fasting.
4. Cases of menstruation or postpartum even if it occurs at the last minute before sunset.
5. Deliberate orgasm: As a result to any reason either kissing or holding between a husband and wife. Fast is then broken and making up the day is required. While if it occurred due to just looking during daytime, fasting would remain valid yet still the day has to be made up on a later time after Ramadan. As for thick discharges, it does not affect the validity of fasting.
6. Eating huge amounts of non-nutritional items such as salt.
7. In case one intends to break the fast even without taking any fast breaking item. This is because the intention is one of the corners of fasting.
II. Cases which break the fast but require both making up and ransom:
1. Only sexual intercourse: The ransom has to be in one of the following three options:
a. Free a slave.
b. Continuous fasting of 60 days (with no interruption).
c. Provide food for 60 poor people.
One should observe the order of the ransom options. Only when the first is not possible one may move to the second and so forth.
Some scholars say that only the man has to give the ransom while others apply it for both man and woman.
May Allah accept our fasting, prayer and all of our deeds Ameen