Farewell to Ramadan’s bounties

Punishment and offences in Ramadan Anyone who eats, drinks or engages in any acts that break the fast – intentionally – between dawn and sunset in the month of Ramadan has committed a grave sin and must repent before he dies. The punishment for this act attracts kaffara (fasting for 60 consecutive days, feeding 60 […]

Punishment and offences in Ramadan

Anyone who eats, drinks or engages in any acts that break the fast – intentionally – between dawn and sunset in the month of Ramadan has committed a grave sin and must repent before he dies. The punishment for this act attracts kaffara (fasting for 60 consecutive days, feeding 60 needy people, or freeing a slave). Such a person must continue to seek Allah’s forgiveness and has to sincerely repent and execute more voluntary acts of worship that Allah may accept his/her repentance.

If unintentional though, Bukhari reported in a hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever forgets while fasting and eats or drinks should complete his fast, for Allah has fed and given him drink.” It is said in the Al-Hakim version however, that “whoever breaks his fast forgetfully has no re-fasting or atonement for it.”

Having sexual intercourse during the day is a major offence in Ramadan and attracts a similar consequence as intentional consumption. Bukhari and Muslim reported in a hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said to a man that had sexual intercourse with his wife during the day to fast for two consecutive months, or provide for 60 people – what will feed them at once, – or free a slave. If a person has intercourse during the day on more than one occasion during Ramadan, he must offer this expiation for each day as well as repeat the fast for each day.

Uttering falsehood, taking any action in accordance with it, or adjudged to be foolish could lead to the loss of the rewards of fasting.

Permissible deeds in Ramadan:

The person that needs to break his/her fast to save someone whose life is in danger may do so, but should make up for it later. This could apply when someone is drowning, when fire disaster needs to be put out, etc.

It is permissible for one to kiss, hug, embrace, touch, or repeatedly look at his wife provided he controls himself. Bukhari and Muslim reported A’isha (wife of the Prophet, pbuh) in a hadith as saying that the Prophet (pbuh) used to kiss and embrace his wives whilst he was fasting, but firmly controlled his desire. Therefore, a person that easily gets aroused is forbidden to kiss or embrace the opposite sex while fasting, as that may lead him/her to break the fast and attract punishment.

When the day breaks while a person is still in a state of janaba (impurity following sexual intercourse), the person’s fasting is not affected. If a person that is fasting has a wet dream while asleep, the person’s fasting is not affected.  The emission of wadiy (a thick and sticky substance emitted after urination with one’s sense of physical pleasure) does not break the fast.

According to a hadith reported by Tirmidhi, the Prophet (pbuh) said that, “whoever vomits unintentionally does not have to make up for the fast later on; but whoever vomits on purpose does have to make up for it.”

If a person spits out water after rinsing his/her mouth, the fasting is not affected by any moisture or wetness that is left because he cannot help that.

Nose bleeding does not break the fast because it is beyond one’s control.

It is permissible to use siwaak (toothbrush) and is even Sunnah for the fasting person at all times of the day. If a person who is fasting uses siwaak, detecting and swallowing some taste from it does not break the fast.

Smelling pleasant fragrances, using perfume or applying scented creams and the like is permissible during fasting.

It is permissible for a fasting person to immerse himself or herself in water, wrap wet cloth over the body to cool down or pour water over the head to obtain relief from heat. Swimming is to be avoided, however, because it might cause one to break the fast by swallowing water.

If a person eats, drinks or has intercourse thinking that it was still night but later realises that dawn had broken, no harm is done because such acts are permissible during the night.

If a person breaks his/her fast thinking that the sun had set when it has not, the person must refrain from eating until the sun sets but it would not be necessary to make up for the fast.

Ruling on fasting for women

A girl who reaches the age of puberty is obliged to fast. Failing to do so, she must repent; make up for the days she missed.

If a woman’s period or post-natal bleeding ceases during the night and she makes the intention to fast though unable to perform the ritual bath (ghuslul-hayd) before the day breaks, her fast would still be valid.

If a woman believes her menstruation would commence the next day, she should still fast. She would not stop fasting until she actually begins to bleed.

The wives of the Prophet, (pbuh) and the wives of his companions used to remain natural and accept whatever Allah decreed for them. They did not take medication to interfere with their menstruation. Therefore, women should be contented with whatever Allah decrees for them with regards to breaking their fast during their periods and make up for the days later.

Non menstrual vaginal bleeding (istihadah) does not invalidate the fast. A consensus among Islamic scholars (ijmaa) suggests that a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is to be regarded as one that is ill; she is permitted to abstain from fasting if she feels it would harm her pregnancy or child. Tirmidhi reported in a hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah has lifted the obligation of fasting and part of the prayer from the traveler, and He has lifted the obligation of fasting from the pregnant and breastfeeding woman.” By this decree, therefore, a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is required to make up for the days she missed after Ramadan.

If a woman consents to sex with her husband during the day in the month of Ramadan, the ruling that applies to him also applies to her. A woman who knows that her husband cannot control himself should keep away from him and not adorn herself in the day time during Ramadan.

The woman that inhales smoke in the course of her domestic duties has committed no offence.

…As we celebrate Eid-il-Fitr

We would like to remind our brothers and sisters in Islam that Sallah day is not merely a day of celebration, but a day for mankind to seek blessings and offer supplications to Allah.

Anas bn Malik (companion of the Prophet, pbuh) reported that Allah’s messenger (pbuh) came to Al-Madina while the people were engaged in a two-day game and told them that Allah has substituted something better for them, namely, the day of sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha) and the day of breaking the fast (Eid-ul-Fitr). Accordingly, acts and celebrations of all kinds are allowed on Sallah day provided they are in accordance with the Shari’a (Islamic law). Those that could lead to sin or contradict Allah’s law or His Prophet’s (pbuh) teachings such as fornication and the consumption of alcohol are however not allowed on Sallah or any other day.

Eid-il-Fitr

Upon the sighting of a new moon on the 29th day of Ramadan or after the 30th day of Ramadan fasting, the Eid-il-Fitr celebration is held on the following day.

Commenting on Eid-il-Fitr and Eid-il-Adha, Umma Atiya (a female companion of the prophet, pbuh) enjoined young women, children, adult males and females, as well as menstruating women to go to the eid ground but the menstruating women are to refrain from observing the prayers. This means that no child or adult is exempted from the eid prayer, which would normally be performed at an eid praying ground on the outskirt of every town. This is the day of celebration when Muslims should come out en masse.

Eid prayer is two raka’ats. The prayer is performed without Adhan and Iqama (the call to prayer and its beginning). Bukhari reported in a hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) did not go out on the day of Eid-il-Fitr unlike the day of Eid-il-Adha, until he had had some food or dates. Therefore, it is recommended that Muslims should eat before going to the eid prayer ground.

The Prophet (pbuh) used to perform the ritual bath before going to the eid prayer ground. He used to recite Allahu Akbar-Allahu Akbar; La’ilaha’illallah. Allahu Akbar-Allahu Akbar; walillahil hamd. (Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no deity worthy of worship except him. Allah is great, Allah is great, All praises are due to Allah) on his way from his house up to the eid ground and back. The above recitation is to be continued upon arrival at the eid prayer ground until the prayer begins. After the prayer, the recitation is to be continued until one returns to one’s home.

The Imam will offer the Khutba (sermon) after the eid prayer. He will stand facing the people, who should remain seated and silent in their rows, as he preaches to them and exhort them. Listening to the sermon is as much Sunnah for all in attendance as the prayer. Bukhari and Muslim reported this as the practice of the Prophet (pbuh).

The Prophet (pbuh) used to offer two raka’ats when he returns home from the eid prayer. Bukhari reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) would return home on an eid day by a different route from the one he had taken when going out. The faithfuls are enjoined to follow this example of the Prophet (pbuh), that they may testify to the worship of Allah and make the splendor of Islam more prominent.

The above rulings on Eid-ul-Fitr are by no means exhaustive.

Zakat-ul-Fitr (Fast breaking charity) is an obligatory charity to be extended by all well-to-do Muslims before the prayer of Eid-il-Fitr. It is valid when given before the eid prayer, or two or three days before the Sallah day. The essence is to enable the poor Muslims to participate in the celebration, who may otherwise have nothing to eat on a day that all Muslims should be celebrating. The Prophet (pbuh) enjoined Muslims to give out Zakat-ul-Fitr to the poor, so they do not go begging on the day of Eid-il-Fitr.

Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) prescribed the Zakat-il-Fitr payable by a slave, freeman, a male and a female, the young and the old among the Muslims upon completion of Ramadan fasting, before going for eid prayers, as one sa’i (about 2.5 kilogramme) of dried dates or barley for all the family members irrespective of age. Zakat-ul-Fitr is given out from the common food of a given community.

We should fear Allah to give out Zakat-ul-Fitr from what we can afford. The person that can afford rice for example should not give out maize. Ibn Abbas (companion of the Prophet, pbuh) reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) prescribed Zakat-il-Fitr to purify the fasting person from empty and obscene talks and feed the poor.

We ask Allah to help us remember Him, thank Him properly, and earn His forgiveness with our Ramadan observances, that we may be saved from the hellfire and celebrate our Sallah peacefully with the fear of Allah.

We thank you very much as we, inshaAllah, await to come your way again next year.

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