Slide 1 : Fiqh of Fasting
Slide 2 : Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Companion Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) say: ‘The religion of Islam is based upon five (pillars): testifying that there is no deity except God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God; establishing the prayer; giving zakat; making pilgrimage; and fasting (the month) of Ramadan.’” [Bukhari; Muslim]
Fasting is for Allah alone. It is the special connection between you and Him. Allah Most High tells us of this powerfully, “All the actions of people are for them, except for fasting. Fasting is for Me and it is I who reward it.” [Bukhari]
Fasting has the highest reward, the gate of Rayyan. This gate is only for the people of fasting. It is an exclusive reward. Those who fast often will have the privilege to walk through this gate.
Slide 3 : 3 categories of people when it comes to fast.
Slide 4 : Spiritually, the purpose of fasting is closeness to God. After the verses dealing with fasting and the month of Ramadan, Allah Most High makes this purpose clear: “If My servants ask you about Me, then I am indeed near. I answer the call of those who call upon Me when they call. So let them heed My calls and let them truly believe in Me–in order that they become rightly guided.” [Qur'an, 2.186]
Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the greatest acts of worship a believer can perform. It is an act that cleanses one’s mind, body, and soul from the spiritual and physical impurities of this world. It is an act that brings the hearts of Muslims together on a world-wide level as they endeavor to practice the virtue of self-discipline in unison. And it is an act that satiates the hungry soul for its eagerness to please the Lord of the Worlds. “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed onto you as it was prescribed onto those before you, that perhaps ye may (learn) self-restraint.” [Surat Al-Baqara, v. 183]
Slide 5 : 23 Types of Fast
Slide 6 :
Slide 7 : 11. As many of you know, it is Sunnah to fast the three white days, termed
Ayyam Al-Beedh, of each Islamic month. They are the 13, 14, 15 of each
month (when there is a full moon at night time).
Abu Tharr Al-Ghefari said: "The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu
alaihi wa sallam, said "O Abu Tharr! if you fast three days of every
month, then fast the 13th, the 14th and the 15th ".
[at-Tirmithi; Sahih]
12. The fast of Dawud is to fasting every other day. This is the best of fasts, as is confirmed in the authentic hadith, related by Bukhari and Muslim.
If one happens to begin this fast on a day that is offensive (makruh) to single out for fasting, such as Friday, then it is sunna to fast on that day only for the one who is performing the fast of our master Dawud. This is not offensive in and of itself according the Ibn Qasim, in Hashiya al-Tuhfa (459/3). "There is a gate to Paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?' When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked." [al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Slide 8 : The Basics of Fasting Linguistically: To Withhold
Technically: To withhold from certain things during a certain period of time with certain conditions Ruling & Status:
Fourth Pillar of Islam
Obligatory Who Fasts?
Every Muslim who is:
Mature
Of sound mind
Healthy resident
Women free of menses and post natal bleeding
Elderly are not recommended to fast. Optionally, can feed one miskin [a poor person] a day
Slide 9 : What is the Intention? The intention is needed for each day one fasts, even in the month of Ramadan.
The intention is the determination one feels in the heart to do something. A way to envision this point is if a person was to ask one what they are doing, one would affirm that they are fasting. One does not have to verbally state the intention, though it is better.. Allah's Apostle said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." [Bukhari]
Slide 10 : When to break Fast? Use ISNA calendar
(http://www.moonsighting.com/calendar.html)l
2. Should stop eating right when adhan is called. If you have food in your mouth then must finish swallowing before adhan stops. For maghrib, you cannot break your fast until the time to break fast, i.e,. When adhan is called.
Slide 11 : What are some duas to read when breaking Fast? Allahumma laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu wa sawm al-ghad min shahr Ramadan nawaytu faghfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akh-khartu
“Oh Allah, for You I fasted, and in You I believe, and on You I place my reliance, and on Your provision I break my fast. And I intend the fasting of tomorrow for the month of Ramadan. Forgive me for what I did before and what I do after.”Allahumma laka sumtu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu
“Oh Allah for You I fasted and upon Your provision I break my fast.”
Allahumma laka sumna wa ‘ala rizqika aftarna fataqabbal minna innaka Anta al-Sami’ al-‘Alim
“Oh Allah for You we fasted, and upon Your provision we break our fasts. Accept this from us. Verily, You are All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Slide 12 : What does a woman do if her period starts? If her menstruation starts in Ramadan during the night (i.e. any time from the entering of Maghrib to before the entering of Fajr), then she refrains from fasting the following day and for the duration that she is menstruating.
If her menstruation starts in Ramadan during the day (i.e. any time from the entering of Fajr to the entering of Maghrib), then her fast is vitiated and it does not count. She must make up this day after Ramadan has ended in a time when she is able. She must refrain from fasting for the duration that she is menstruating.
A menstruating woman should record the number of days she missed while fasting and make them up after Ramadan ends in a time when she is able.
The same rulings apply to a woman in a state of lochia (post-natal bleeding).
Slide 13 : What does a woman do if her period ends in Ramadan? If her menstruation stops in Ramadan during the night (i.e. any time from the entering of Maghrib to before the entering of Fajr), then she performs a purificatory bath (ghusl), begins her obligatory worship, and she is obliged to fast the following day and the remainder of Ramadan.
If her menstruation stops in Ramadan during the day (i.e. any time after the entering of Fajr up to the entering of Maghrib), then she performs a purificatory bath (ghusl), begins her obligatory worship and she acts like a fasting person until the Maghrib time enters due to the sacredness of the month of Ramadan. It is necessary for her to abstain from eating and drinking for the remainder of the day. She is sinful if she does not do so. However, this day of acting like a fasting person does not count as a fast. She must make up this day after Ramadan has ended in a time when she is able. She is obliged to fast the following day and the remainder of Ramadan.
A menstruating woman should record the number of days she missed while fasting and make them up after Ramadan ends in a time when she is able.
The same rulings apply to a woman in a state of lochia (post-natal bleeding).
Slide 14 : If done deliberately, by one’s own free will, and without a valid reason while fasting a current Ramadan fast, the following acts invalidate the fast and require a makeup along with expiation:
Eating or drinking something that humans would normally consume and this consummation nourishes, medicates, pleases the body in some way
Actual sexual intercourse
Swallowing the saliva of one’s spouse Acts That Vitiate the Fast & Require Makeup & Expiation
Slide 15 : What is Expiation? The expiation is to fast sixty consecutive days in the year without any interruption. One must choose a time where one can fast these sixty days without the days of Eid or the three days after Eid al-Adha interrupting the fasts because of the prohibition of fasting on these days. If one does not fast them consecutively, then one must restart the 60 day period each time the continuity of the fasts is broken.
The only exceptions to this rule are if one is menstruating or in a state of lochia (post-natal bleeding). A menstruating woman must continue to fast after she becomes pure, and she cannot delay the completion of the expiation. If she does delay fasting after becoming pure, then she must restart the 60 days of fasting. The same ruling applies to a woman in the state of lochia.
Slide 16 : What is Expiation? If one is genuinely unable to perform the sixty consecutive fasts based on reasonable surety, then one must either:
a. feed the same sixty, poor people to their fill for two meals, or
b. feed one poor person to his fill for two meals a day for sixty days, or
c. give sixty poor people half a sa’* of wheat (or similar food grains) or its monetary value, or
d. give sixty poor people a sa’* of dates (or similar food grains) or its monetary value, or
e. give one poor person either c or d for sixty days.
Slide 17 : Acts that Vitiate the Fast & require Make up but not expiation eating or drinking accidentally
eating or drinking because one thought Maghrib entered but Maghrib did not enter
eating or drinking because one doubted that Fajr entered but Fajr really did enter
eating or drinking forgetfully and thereafter thinking that the fast is broken, to deliberately eat and drink again
swallowing what is between the teeth, on the condition that it is the size of a chickpea or bigger
swallowing a pebble or other items that people wouldn’t typically eat
swallowing water by accident when gargling for wudu or ghusl
swallowing blood that exits from the gums and preponderates over the saliva
swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash
deliberately swallowing vomit that reaches a mouthful
deliberately vomiting a mouthful, regardless if one swallows it or not
vomiting and thereafter thinking that the fast is broken, to deliberately vomit again
smoke that enters the throat by one’s doing, on the condition one’s body doesn’t benefit from it
Slide 18 : What are the acts that do not break the Fast? eating or drinking something forgetfully
eating what is between the teeth if it is less than the size of a chickpea
tasting the leftover traces of medicine in the mouth or throat
chewing on a sesame seed without swallowing it, if its taste doesn’t reach the throat
dust or smoke (including smoke from ‘ud or incense) entering one’s throat without one’s doing
a mosquito, fly, or any other object entering one’s throat without one’s doing
swallowing the wetness that remains after washing one’s mouth for wudu or ghusl
swallowing one or two drops of sweat or tears that enter the mouth and mixes with one’s saliva, on the condition that one cannot taste its saltiness
swallowing one’s own saliva
swallowing one’s own phlegm after clearing the throat
swallowing vomit that emerges in the mouth without one’s doing, even if it is a mouthful
deliberately vomiting less than a mouthful, regardless if one swallows it or not
using a miswak or toothbrush
wetting one’s lips with one’s saliva while speaking and swallowing it
swallowing blood that exits from the gums and does not preponderate over the
Slide 19 : What are the acts that do not break the Fast? saliva on the condition one cannot taste it
pulling back saliva into one’s mouth that flows to the chin like a string on the condition that it stays connected and does not break off
Slide 20 : Extras in Ramadan
Tarawih When to pray it? 11 rak’ahs or 20?
The Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), upon being asked about night prayers, said that they are to be done two by two, and he did not specify any particular number? Of course the one who asked him about the night prayer did not know the number, because if he did not know how to do it, it is even more likely that he did not know the number. And he was not one of those who served the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so that we might say that he knew what happened inside his house. Since the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told him how to do it but did not say how many times, it may be understood that the matter is broad in scope. With regard to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Pray as you have seen me praying”, this does not apply in absolute terms even for these people. But what is meant by the hadeeth is pray as you have seen me praying with regard to how to pray not how many rak’ahs, unless there is a text to state what the number is.
And Allah(S) knows best.
Slide 21 : What is the I’tikaf or Spiritual Retreat The mother of the believers, Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) said, “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would always perform I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah Most High took his soul (Allah bless him and give him peace).” [Bukhari]
The scholar al-Zahidi said, “It is strange how the people have left performing the I’tikaf. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) performed some actions and left them, but he never left the I’tikaf–from the time he entered Medina to the moment he died (Allah bless him and give him peace).”
The I’tikaf is entering the masjid with the intention to remain there for worship. The masjid must be one where the group prayer is offered for the five obligatory prayers.
The I’tikaf is permissible if one is free from a state of major ritual impurity, menstruation, and lochia (post-natal bleeding).
Slide 22 : Conditions The conditions for a valid vowed I’tikaf:
The intention
To be Muslim
Sanity
To be free from menstruation and lochia (post-natal bleeding).
Slide 23 : What are the types of I’tikaf? Necessary (wajib): the vowed I’tikaf
The vowed I’tikaf is an oath to make i`tikaf for a specified time. It must be at least an entire day and night. One is obliged to fast during it in order for the vowed I’tikaf to count.
2. Emphasized sunna: the last ten days and nights of Ramadan
Performing I’tikaf in the last ten days and nights of Ramadan is a strongly emphasized communal sunna. The scholars do not stipulate that one must fast during the emphasized sunna I’tikaf because it is performed during Ramadan and the assumption is that the person will be fasting anyway.
3. Recommended: any times other than the aforementioned
For the recommended I’tikaf, its minimum duration is a moment, even if it’s when one passes through the mosque. Fasting is not a condition for the recommended I’tikaf.
Slide 24 : Can a Woman Perform I’tikaf?
Yes, a woman can perform I’tikaf.
A woman’s I’tikaf is best performed in the prayer area of her house. The prayer area is the place where she has designated to pray her obligatory and nafl prayers.
It is disliked for a woman to perform I’tikaf in the masjid.
It is not valid for men to perform I’tikaf in other than the masjid.
Can One Leave the Masjid During I’tikaf?
Leaving the masjid without an excuse ends the I’tikaf. This ruling also applies to a woman performing I’tikaf in the prayer area of her house. If one does leave because of an excuse, the excuse must be due to a shariah-compliant need, or to use the restroom if unable to use the masjid facilities, or out of necessity.
Slide 25 : What does a person do during I’tikaf? One is encouraged to busy oneself with worship and anything beneficial, such as praying, reciting the Qur’an, making much dhikr, speaking of the good, and gaining beneficial knowledge.
A person performing I’tikaf can eat, drink, sleep, talk, and do everything that is normally permissible, except for sexual intercourse, kissing, and touching with desire.
Allah Most High says, “And do not approach your women while you are performing the spiritual retreat in the masjids.” [al-Baqara, v. 187] Engaging in these acts end the I’tikaf whether inside or outside of the masjid. For example, if one left the masjid for a shariah-compliant need and fell into sexual intercourse with one’s spouse, then this act ends the I’tikaf. Engaging in these actions end the I’tikaf, regardless of whether one did them during the day or the night.
During the I’tikaf, it is disliked to believe that remaining silent is a form of worship. It is also disliked to engage in work or trade.
Slide 26 : Moonsighting Conundrum The beginning of the month:
The month begins in one of two ways:
1. Sighting the new crescent
2. Completing 30 days of Sha’ban Can countries share moon sighting?
Option 1:
If the moon is sighted in one land, everyone should fast.
Option 2:
Every land sights its own moon. Multiple testimonials are needed if it’s cloudy or dusty. If a judge accepts a testimonial, no one can reject it. Sighting is made by the naked eye or with the help of an observatory but cannot be done purely on calculations if no actual sighting is made.
Slide 27 : Appearance of the new moon is confirmed by the witness of two reliable Muslims, as he (saaws) said: "Fast when it is seen, and cease fasting when it is seen and perform the rites of Hajj based upon that and if it is hidden by clouds then complete thirty (days), and if two witnesses testify then fast and cease fasting." [Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (4/132), Ahmad (4/321), and ad-Daaraqutnee. Its chain of narration is hasan.
It will not pass unnoticed that just because two witnesses are accepted in one case does not mean that a single witness cannot be accepted rather the witness of a single person that has seen the new moon is acceptable, for it is established that Ibn 'Umar, r.a., said: "The people looked out for the new moon, so I informed the Prophet that I had seen it, so he fasted and ordered the people to fast." [Reported by Aboo Daawood (no. 2342)]. The four madhabs agree if one country sees the moon, then the whole muslim world should follow
Slide 28 : Etiquettes of Fasting Recommended acts:
Hastening the iftar
Breaking the fast with fresh dates, dry dates or water
The du’a at iftar (mentioned before)
Delaying the suhur Dislike acts:
Gargling water
Anything which will diminish a person’s reward Did you know:
If its an obligatory fast, you don’t break it until you eat or drink something. If voluntary fast, you can break it with the intention.
Slide 29 : Thank You May Allah Azza wa Jal accept our fasts, increase knowledge of our deen and keep us away from the punishment of the fire, ameen.