As a Muslim, following Ramadan fasting rules is compulsory for us. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is welcomed with zeal and enthusiasm by Muslims all over the world. They fast throughout the month by abstinence from dawn till dusk and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in the end as a blessing from Almighty Allah. But there are a set of ground rules to fasting because it does not mean simply to avoid eating. As our Holy Prophet PBUH said, "If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning his food and drink." (Al-Bukhari).
Here are some of the most common Ramadan fasting rules that are a must to follow.
Essentials of Ramadan Fasting Rules
The essentials of fasting include two things apart from the Ramadan fasting rules. Intention and abstinence from food, drinks, and sexual activities from dawn till dusk.
Dos and Don'ts of Ramadan Kareem Fasting
- One of the main rules of fasting is the intention. The intention of fast must be made before dawn, or even at night before sleeping.
- Intentional eating or drinking is not allowed while fasting. This also includes nutritional fluids through drips.
- Throwing up intentionally can also break the fast.
- One must abstain from any kind of sexual activity during their fast.
- If one forgets that they're fasting, and eats or drinks, then one should complete his fast. It is not broken.
- Brushing teeth is allowed, it doesn't break the fast.
- Also, only medicinal (and not nutritional) injections do not break the fast.
- Taking a shower is permissible during one's fast.
- One can rinse his / her mouth and nose during their fast.
- Applying eyeliner, eye drops is also allowed.
- Tasting food with your tongue is okay. Unless anything is swallowed, the fast is valid.
If these Ramadan fasting rules are broken, they require kaffara i.e. a penalty, which is too fast continuously for 60 days, or feed 60 average people one meal each. During the Prophet's time, when slavery was common, one of the penalties was to free a slave, but this isn't really applicable nowadays.
Breaking of Fast
It's is also included in Ramadan fasting rules that in situations where one's health is compromised, breaking of fast is allowed. But one should make up his fast late on in any month of the year.
Excluded from Fasting
There are certain situations where one cannot fast. Ramadan fasting rules are not applicable here, and it is required that on such occasions, he/she should fast any other day of the year. The people who can miss their fast are,
- The insane.
- The sick with fatal conditions.
- Pregnant and nursing women.
- Women going through post-child birth.
Recommended acts in Ramadan
Ramadan fasting rules are not only about the conditions, but also some favorable or unfavorable acts in Ramadan. These include:
- Hurrying to end the fast at
- Eating suhoor (pre-dawn mean) as close as fajr
- Ending the fast by eating dates.
- Tarawih daily after
- Using miswak.
- Increasing the recitation of the Holy Quran.
Ramadan Kareem fasting rules are quite simple and easy to keep in mind. Fasting is performed as an act of worship. One must not think of it as a boycott of food and drink, but as a way to attain taqwa. It is stated in the Holy Quran, "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwa." (Al-Baqarah:183) May Allah bless us in this holy month of Ramadan.
