Ramadan is the most blissful month in the Islamic calendar. When it arrives, it spreads joy and happiness all around. People get closer to Allah and reflect on their motives for coming to this world. But are we aware of the rules and considerations for Ramadan? In this article, we explain the rules for fasting during Ramadan.

Rules of Fasting for Ramadan

Who Must Fast

Fasting becomes obligatory for every physically and mentally capable Muslim who has crossed puberty. However, the following people are exempted from fasting.

• Pregnant or lactating women. They can keep their missed fasts later on.
• Old age people. They can feed or give money to poor people as compensation.
• Sick persons. They can keep the missed fasts later on.
• Terminally ill people. They can compensate by giving money or food to the needy.
• People who are traveling. They can also keep the missed fast later.
• Women having their menstrual period or post-natal bleeding. They can keep the missed fasts later.

Timings for Keeping a Fast

Muslims wake up for Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal. They wake up approximately 45 minutes before the Fajr prayer and eat Suhoor. Generally, people prepare healthy foods like Talbina that keep them energized all day long. Yogurt is also a popular food item for Suhoor. There is a huge reward for waking up for Suhoor. The Holy Prophet commanded Muslims to wake up for Suhoor, which distinguishes between Muslims and Jews.

At Fajr, Muslims intend to fast until the Maghreb prayer. At the call of Maghreb, Muslims break fast. The time of breaking fast is very sacred. There is a huge reward for the remembrance of Allah at this time. Muslims usually break their fast by eating a date, as it is a Sunnah.

Impermissible Acts During a Fast

Fasting is not limited to staying away from food and drink only. During the fast, there are certain impermissible acts. These include:

• Sexual activity
• Using foul language
• Lying
• Fighting or backbiting

Acts Which Invalidate the Fast

Allah disapproves of certain acts during a fast such as lying or fighting, whereas certain acts invalidate a fast. These include the following:

• Deliberately eating or drinking
• Vomiting voluntarily
• Sexual activity
• Beginning of menstrual period or post-natal bleeding
• Smoking or chewing gum or tobacco

Permissible Acts During a Fast

The following acts are permissible during fasting: –

• Using toothpaste or miswak. However, care must be taken not to swallow the toothpaste.
• Using perfume or hair oil.
• Bathing, applying cream or lotion, and overall grooming.
• Taking blood tests or non-nutritional injections. Eye drops are also allowed during fast

What to Do If You Miss a Fast

If you miss a fast for any of the reasons mentioned above, you must keep the fast after Ramadan but before the next Ramadan. In case your fast becomes invalid because of the above-mentioned reasons, you must repent to Allah sincerely. You must keep a qadha fast, which is a make-up fast for the missed one. If your fast becomes invalid because of sexual activity, you must pay kaffara, which is compensation for breaking the fast. Kaffara is equal to fasting for 60 days after Ramadan. If you cannot fast for 60 days, you must feed 60 poor people for the broken fast. The same compensation is for deliberate eating, drinking, or vomiting. 

Fasting Obligatory upon Muslim

Fasting rules in Ramadan are such that promote patience, self-restraint, and brotherhood. Allah made fasting obligatory upon Muslims so they may gain piety. The holy month brings a person closer to Allah as he spends more time worshipping and invoking Him. Regularity in the obligatory and voluntary prayers disciplines the person. It also protects him from satan and temptations to go astray. Hence, follow the rules of fasting to gain Allah’s pleasure and blessings in both worlds.