5.1 Conditions Obligating the Fast

 

Fasting during Ramadan becomes obligatory  when the following criteria are met:

1. Muslim
2. Sane and has reached the age of puberty
3. Does not have any valid reasons for not fasting i.e.

a. menstruation or post-natal bleeding

b. unconsciousness or insanity for the whole day

c. illnesses that can be fatal if the person fast

d. traveller who travels at least 50 miles one-way for permissible reasons

e. unfit to fast because of old age  or illnesses that are unlikely to recover

 

Recommended (sunnah) fasting

1. day of Arafah (9 Zulhijjah)
2. day of Ashura (10 Muharram)
3. Mondays and Thursdays
4. the 13th, 14th and 15th of the lunar months
5. six days in the month of Shawal

 

 

 

5.2 Obligatory Actions

 

Mandatory integrals for fasting to be valid

1. Intention to fast for Ramadan. The intention is to me made the night before and before dawn
2. To refrain from acts that nullifies fasting
   
   1. eating and drinking
   2. inserting an object into a body cavity e.g. ears, nose, anus, vagina 
3. Intentional vomit
4. Sexual intercourse
5. Intentional acts that causes the release of seminal fluid
6. Menstruation or postnatal bleeding
7. Insanity
8. Leaving the fold of Islam

 

 

5.3 Things that Invalidate the Fast

 

5.4 Recommended Actions

 

Etiquette & recommended acts of fasting

1. Breaking fast promptly
2. Sahur i.e having pre-dawn meal
3. Delaying sahur to just before dawn
4. Avoiding ugly words e.g. slander, lying, foul language
5. Avoiding wet cupping (hijama)
6. Reciting du'a when breaking fast e.g للّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّحِمِيْنَ
7. Providing food for those breaking fast

 

 

5.4a Days When it is Unlawful to Fast

Offensive (makruh) days for fasting

1. Making Fridays only as special days for fasting
2. Making Saturdays only as special days for fasting
3. fasting daily

Unlawful (haram) days for fasting

1. Both days of Eids i.e. eidul fitri and eidul adha
2. the 3 days of tashriq i.e. the 3 days following eidul adha
3. ambiguous day i.e. unsure if 30th sha'ban or 1st ramadan

 

 

 

 

5.5 Making Up and Expiations

 

5.6 Spiritual Retreat