Question 1

What breaks a fast?

Accepted Answer

What breaks the fast — when done deliberately, with knowledge, and by free choice — is restricted to what the texts have established: (1) eating or drinking of any kind that reaches the stomach through the mouth or nose; (2) marital intercourse — and this carries the heaviest expiation (kaffarah mughallazhah): freeing a slave, or fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people; (3) deliberate vomiting — "Whoever vomits unintentionally need not make up the fast, but whoever induces vomiting deliberately let him make it up." (Abu Dawud 2380, sahih); (4) menstruation and post-natal bleeding for women; (5) cupping (al-hijamah) — for both the cupper and the one cupped, on the most authentic position. What does NOT break the fast: forgetting ("… let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink" — Muslim 1155); rinsing the mouth without exaggeration; tasting food on the tip of the tongue without swallowing; emission of madhi; involuntary vomiting; injections that do not provide nutrition (e.g. insulin, antibiotics) according to the strongest position; eye drops and ear drops; the use of siwak; and emission of blood from a wound or nosebleed.

Question 2

What is fasting in Ramadan?

Accepted Answer

As-Sawm in the Sharī''ah is to abstain — with intention — from food, drink, and intercourse from the break of true dawn (al-fajr aṣ-ṣādiq) until sunset, throughout the days of Ramadan. It is the fourth pillar of Islam and was made obligatory in the second year of Hijrah. Allah said: "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you — that you may attain taqwa." (al-Baqarah 2:183). The wisdom is the cultivation of taqwa: when the believer leaves what is normally permissible (food, drink, marital relations) for the sake of Allah during the daylight hours, his soul is trained to leave what is forbidden in all hours. Fasting is also a private act of worship between the servant and his Lord — none can verify it but Allah — and so He attached its reward to Himself: "Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting — it is for Me, and I shall reward for it." (al-Bukhari 1894, Muslim 1151).

Question 3

Does eating or drinking forgetfully break the fast?

Accepted Answer

Eating or drinking forgetfully — without intention to break the fast — does not break the fast and there is no qada (making up) and no kaffarah (expiation) upon the one who did so, on the authentic hadith of Abu Hurayrah: the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast — for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink." (al-Bukhari 6669, Muslim 1155). The fast remains valid by the consensus of those whose disagreement is given weight. The wisdom is that the obligation in fasting is the deliberate abstention; a person cannot be held accountable for an act done in genuine forgetfulness, by the general principle: "Indeed, Allah has overlooked for my Ummah the mistake, the forgetfulness, and what they are coerced upon." (Ibn Majah 2045, sahih). However, the moment the person remembers, he must immediately stop eating or drinking; if he continues knowingly, the fast is then broken and he sins.

Question 4

What breaks a fast?

Accepted Answer

The fast is broken by deliberately eating, drinking, or having intercourse during the daylight hours. It is also broken by deliberately inducing vomiting, by menstruation or postpartum bleeding for women, by injections that nourish the body (not medicinal injections according to the strongest opinion), and by emission of manī through deliberate action. Three conditions must be met for any of these to break the fast: the person must know it is forbidden, must remember they are fasting, and must do it by their own choice. If someone eats forgetfully, the fast remains valid as the Prophet ﷺ said: "It was Allah who fed him and gave him to drink." Intercourse during the day in Ramadan additionally requires the great expiation (kaffārah).

Question 5

Can I brush my teeth while fasting?

Accepted Answer

There is no harm in using the siwāk or a toothbrush during the day in Ramadan, as the Prophet ﷺ used to use the siwāk while fasting without distinguishing between morning and afternoon. However, care must be taken with toothpaste because of its strong flavour, which may reach the throat unintentionally. The safer practice is to brush the teeth before fajr or after iftar, and if one needs to clean during the day, to use a siwāk or a toothbrush without paste. If toothpaste is used and a small amount is accidentally swallowed despite reasonable care, the fast remains valid.

Question 6

Who is exempt from fasting?

Accepted Answer

Allah has eased the obligation of fasting for several categories of people. Those who are temporarily unable — the traveller and the one suffering a curable illness — must make up the missed days later. Those permanently unable — the very elderly and the chronically ill with no hope of recovery — feed one poor person for each day missed (a mudd of staple food). The pregnant or breastfeeding woman who fears for herself or her child may break the fast and make up the days; if she fears only for the child, the majority hold she also feeds a poor person per day. Menstruating women and women in postnatal bleeding are forbidden from fasting and must make up the missed days afterwards. Children before puberty are not obligated, though they should be encouraged to fast as training.

Question 7

What is the "Night of Power" (Laylat al-Qadr)?

Accepted Answer

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen explains that Laylat al-Qadr, the 'Night of Decree,' is the most virtuous night of the year. Allah has magnified its status in the Qur'an, stating that worship on this single night is 'better than a thousand months' (al-Qadr 97:3), which is equivalent to 83 years and 4 months.

It occurs during the month of Ramadan, specifically within the last ten nights. Based on the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it is most likely to be one of the odd-numbered nights: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th. The Shaykh notes that the exact date was made unknown to the Ummah as a mercy from Allah. The Prophet came out to inform his companions of the exact night, but he found two men arguing, and the specific knowledge was taken away. The wisdom in this is that it encourages the believers to strive in worship throughout all of the last ten nights, rather than focusing their efforts on only one.

It is highly recommended (mustahabb) to seek this night by spending it in acts of worship, such as standing in prayer (qiyam), reciting the Qur'an, making dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and engaging in sincere supplication (du'a). The best du'a to be recited is the one the Prophet taught to 'Aisha: 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me).

Among its signs are that it is a calm, peaceful, and temperate night, neither hot nor cold. The following morning, the sun rises without its usual sharp, dazzling rays, appearing as a soft, reddish disc.

Question 8

Why do Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan?

Accepted Answer

Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan because it is a fundamental pillar of Islam and a direct command from Allah. The primary and foremost reason for fasting is to obey God and worship Him by abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn until sunset. This act of devotion is explicitly commanded in the Qur'an.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen explains that the ultimate purpose of the fast is to attain *taqwa* (God-consciousness, piety). This is stated in the verse: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may attain taqwa" (Surah al-Baqarah 2:183). By giving up permissible things for the sake of Allah, a person trains their soul to abandon the impermissible (sins). Because only Allah knows whether a person is truly fasting, this act of worship nurtures sincerity and the awareness that God is always watching.

Beyond this core purpose, scholars like Ibn 'Uthaymeen mention other wisdoms and benefits. Fasting allows a person to appreciate the blessings of Allah, as the temporary experience of hunger and thirst makes one more grateful for food and drink. It also cultivates compassion and empathy for the poor who experience hunger regularly, which in turn encourages charity. Furthermore, fasting is a powerful means of developing self-discipline, patience, and control over one's desires. It is a spiritual training that strengthens the believer's resolve and character, helping them to control their tongue, gaze, and limbs from engaging in sinful acts. While there are recognized health benefits to fasting, these are secondary to the primary spiritual goals of obedience and attaining taqwa.

Question 9

Can one fast while on medication or if they have diabetes?

Accepted Answer

The ruling on whether a sick person, such as one with diabetes or who requires regular medication, can fast is conditional upon their specific medical situation. The basis for this is the principle of ease in Islam and the explicit permission granted to the sick.

In its rulings, the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' (al-Lajnah ad-Da'imah) clarifies that illness is a valid reason for not fasting in Ramadan. The committee differentiates between two types of illness:

1.  **Temporary Illness**: If the illness is temporary and recovery is expected, the person is permitted to break their fast. However, they must make up for the missed days by fasting an equivalent number of days after Ramadan, once they are well.

2.  **Chronic Illness**: If the illness is chronic, such as persistent diabetes, and there is no hope of recovery where fasting would be possible, the person is exempted from fasting altogether. This also applies to elderly individuals for whom fasting presents excessive hardship. Instead of making up the fasts, they are required to pay a 'fidyah' (expiation), which involves feeding one poor person for each day they miss. The amount is typically half a sa' of the local staple food, which is approximately 1.5 kilograms.

The critical factor in making this determination is the advice of a competent and trustworthy Muslim doctor. If the doctor confirms that fasting will harm the patient, worsen their condition, or delay their recovery, then it is permissible for them not to fast. This is particularly relevant for diabetics who may need to take insulin injections or pills during the day, as missing these doses could be life-threatening. If the medication can be safely adjusted to be taken only between sunset and dawn without harm, then the person must fast.

Therefore, the patient must consult a reliable physician. If fasting is deemed harmful, they are permitted to not fast and should offer the fidyah if the condition is chronic. If it is not harmful, they are obliged to fast.

Question 10

What are the recommended acts (sunnah) during Ramadan?

Accepted Answer

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, in his works on the rulings of Ramadan such as "Majalis Shahr Ramadan," outlines several acts that are recommended (mustahabb) for a Muslim to perform during this blessed month, based on the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions.

Among the most emphasized of these is increasing in generosity and the recitation and study of the Qur'an. This is based on the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous in Ramadan, when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night in Ramadan and study the Qur’an with him."

It is also a confirmed sunnah to pray Qiyam al-Layl (Tarawih) in congregation at the mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward, his past sins will be forgiven."

Other recommended acts include:
- Providing food for a fasting person to break their fast (Iftar). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever gives Iftar to a fasting person will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest."
- Making abundant du'a (supplication), as the du'a of the fasting person is especially likely to be answered, particularly at the point of breaking the fast.
- Delaying the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) until just before the adhan for Fajr, and hastening to break the fast as soon as the sun has set.
- Performing I'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque for worship), especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan, in emulation of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- Striving to find Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) in the last ten nights by increasing in all forms of worship.

Engaging in these acts helps a Muslim draw closer to Allah and maximize the spiritual benefits of the month.

Fasting

What breaks a fast?

What is fasting in Ramadan?

Does eating or drinking forgetfully break the fast?

Can I brush my teeth while fasting?

Who is exempt from fasting?

What is the "Night of Power" (Laylat al-Qadr)?

Why do Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan?

Can one fast while on medication or if they have diabetes?

What are the recommended acts (sunnah) during Ramadan?

What is the ruling on making up missed Ramadan fasts and expiation (kaffarah)?

Is fasting obligatory on someone who is sick, traveling, or pregnant/breastfeeding?

What breaks the fast and what does not (e.g., swallowing saliva, using inhaler, brushing teeth)?

What is Laylatul Qadr?

Does taking an injection break the fast?

Is it permissible to use toothpaste while fasting?

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