Dos and don’ts of Ramadan fasting

As we promised last week, Dr Ahmad Bello Dogarawa of the Department of Accounting, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria would this week discuss some dos and don’ts of fasting. We hope you would have a pleasant reading! Some dos in Ramadan Take the pre-dawn meal Suhuur because, according to the Prophet (peace and blessings of […]

As we promised last week, Dr Ahmad Bello Dogarawa of the Department of Accounting, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria would this week discuss some dos and don’ts of fasting. We hope you would have a pleasant reading!

Some dos in Ramadan

Take the pre-dawn meal Suhuur because, according to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), is what differentiates between the fasting of Muslims and that of the people of the books [Jews and Christians]. Though not compulsory, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has confirmed that there is blessing in taking it [Ahmad, Bukhari and Muslim] and that Allah and His Angels salute those who take Suhuur [Nasaa’i, Ahmad and Ibn Abi Shaybah].

Hasten to break the fast immediately as the sun set [Ibn Hibbaan] preferably with odd number of ripe dates, and if not available, with dried dates, and if not available with some water [Ahmad, Abu Daawud and Tirmidhi]. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The people will continue to prosper so far they hasten iftaar (breaking of fast)” [Bukhari and Muslim]. Remember to say the following supplication while breaking the fast: “Dhahaba-z-Zama’u Wabtallatil Uruq Wathabatal ajru in sha’Allah (Thirst is gone, veins are flowing again, and the reward is certain, InshaAllah)”. [Abu Daawud, Baihaqi and Haakim].

Be generous by sharing knowledge, offering free money, using your position of authority or physical strength to help others, and have a good attitude. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous of people (in doing good), and he was the most generous of all in Ramadaan when (Angel) Jibreel met with him [Bukhari].

Feed the poor to earn multitude reward and ultimately Paradise. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person” [Tirmidhi, Nasaa’i and Ibn Maajah]. He also said: “In Paradise there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allah has prepared them for those who feed the poor, who are gentle in speech, who fast regularly and who pray at night when people are asleep”. [Ibn Khuzaimah].

Observe taraaweeh/tahajjud prayer throughout Ramadan. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whosoever observes taraaweeh with faith and seeking his reward from Allah, Allah will have his past sins forgiven”. [Bukhari and Muslim].

Make I’itikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. I’itikaaf, which means seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah, is a meritorious act of worship that could be done in any month of the year but is most recommended in the month of Ramadan and in particular the last ten days of Ramadan [Bukhari and Muslim].

Seek Laylatul Qadr, the most virtuous night of the year, which is better than a thousand month [Q97:1-3]. It is recommended for the fasting Muslim to spend the night in various forms of worship, and wake up his family to join him in striving to earn the pleasure of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all his previous sins forgiven. [Bukhari and Muslim].

Pay Zakaatul Fitr to the poor and needy a day or two days to the end of Ramadan, or on the first day of Shawwal but before going to the Eid prayer ground for yourself, your wife, children and those under your care/guardianship [Bukhari and Muslim; Baihaqi and Daara Qutni]. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has indicated that its purpose is to purify one who fasts from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy. [Abu Daawud and Ibn Maajah].

Some don’ts in fasting

Don’t insult anybody or insult back if being annoyed. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Fasting is not (abstaining) from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: “I am fasting, I am fasting”. [Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim].

Don’t commit sin or engage in lying. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was reported to have said: “When any of you is fasting, let him not commit sin…” [Bukhari]. He also said: “Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech”. [Bukhari, Abu Daawud, Tirmidhi, Nasaa’i and Ibn Maajah].

Don’t engage in unbecoming acts or allow yourself to be distracted by movies and sports matches, idle gatherings, hanging out in the streets with evil people and time-wasters for they destroy good deeds and cause one to be denied reward for fasting. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was quoted to have said: “Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast except hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness”. [Ibn Maajah and Daarimee].

Don’t eat or drink intentionally in the daytime, from dawn to sunset. In his 70 Matters Related to Fasting, Al-Munajjid said: “Anyone who eats and drinks deliberately during the day in Ramadan with no valid excuse has committed a grave major sin, and has to repent sincerely and make up for that fast later on. If he breaks the fast with something unlawful, such as drinking alcohol, this makes his sin even worse”.

Don’t cause vomit intentionally. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was reported to have said: “Whoever vomits intentionally must make up for that fast later”. [Abu Daawud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah].

Don’t take medicines and pills by mouth, or injections of nourishing substances, or blood transfusions in the daytime. If you do that, the fast is vitiated and must be made up later.

Don’t engage in sexual intercourse in the daytime, as wilful violation of fast by such practice requires both atonement and expiation [Bukhari and Muslim]. The same ruling also applies in cases of adultery or fornication, homosexuality and bestiality.

However, the following are permissible during fasting based on a number of authentic Hadiths and statements of some reliable scholars [See Ibn Taimiyyah’s Majmuu’ul Fataawa, Sayyid Saabiq’s Fiqhus Sunnah, Al-Uthaimeen’s Fataawaas Siyaam and Al-Munajjid’s 70 Matters Related to Fasting]. The fasting Muslim may pour water over himself or submerge himself in water [Ahmad and Abu Daawud]; rinse the mouth and nose during the day [Ahmad, Abu Daawud and Tirmidhi]; use Siwak (tooth stick) throughout the day; and apply Collyrium (Kohl), eye drops, perfumes, ear and nose drops, and scented creams even if some taste from it finds its way to the throat. In addition, the fasting Muslim may drain blood [Bukhari]; swallow saliva or dust of the road and sift flour; receive injections that are not given to replace food and drink but are used to administer medications such as penicillin and insulin, or tonics, or vaccinations even though, it is safer to be given during the night. Use puffers for asthma; and have blood sample taken.

What you should know

According to the book of Khulaasatul Kalaam of as-Shaykh Abdullah al-Jaarullah:

Muslims should understand that Ramadan is an auspicious opportunity for believers to renew their commitment to their Creator and the Sovereign of the Day of Recompense reflection, humility and attentiveness.

Muslims must ensure they are not formalists who concentrate only on the outward.  Achieving Allah’s acceptance must be a believer’s priority and is not easy.

Muslims should know that Ramadan is a wonderful opportunity for atoning of one’s sins and making repentance, for if one does not repent in Ramadan, when will he do so?

Muslims should strive to worship Allah as best as they can from the beginning of the month, for that increases their chances of the end of the month being good as well.

Muslims should consider what is it that they truly want to achieve in Ramadan, whether they want to be from the winners or from the losers, and should make sure they do not perform acts of worship simply because it is the surrounding people’s custom to do so.

Muslims must be firmly aware that Ramadan is only a means and not an end.

May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge and practice of the religion, and accept our Ramadan fast and other acts of worship. [email protected]

Next week InshaAllah, Ramadan Talk would discuss the observances of Lailatul Qadr (Night of Decree). Please keep a date with Weekly Trust.

For observations, corrections, suggestions, questions and any other contribution, please contact 080-38608418 or [email protected]