What is Fasting in Islam?

Fasting is one of the most important moral and spiritual parts of Islam. Fasting means staying away “completely” from food and drinking and smoking from dawn until after dark. If you do the holy acts of prayer and sacrifice for the sake of Allah throughout the month of Ramadan. Then He will forgive you for your sins. During the holy month of Ramadan, a Muslim is required to fast from all food, beverages, life’s joys, sexual activity, and other sins. This includes smoking.

In Islam, a person is required to fast from when the sun rises till it sets. During this time they cannot consume food or drink. Every Muslim who is rational and competent to do so should fast throughout Ramadan. In addition, a person must have reached the age of puberty and maturity in order to be eligible to undertake the practice of fasting.

The sahri is the traditional first meal eaten before beginning a fast in preparation for the fasting that will take place the next day. You will consume sahri, which may be either food or drink. Therefore, you need to drink Sahri before drinking Subah Sadiq. If you were not there for the sahri, you are excused from fasting for the rest of the day.

You must open your fast by consuming some dates and water as soon as the sun has set in the evening. It is recommended that you open your fast before the Magrib prayers.

Things that break the fast

• Eating and drinking during the fasting time.
• Smoking.
• Pouring oil into ears.
• Swallowing pebbles, stones, paper, etc.
• Saliva mingled with blood.
• Applying medicine drops in nostrils.
• Donating blood
• Insulin injections for diabetic people

Things that do not break-fast

• Smell perfume, using Surma in the eyes and applying oil to the hair.
• Inhaling a fly without one’s intention.
• To swallow saliva.
• Undergoing a blood test.
• To take bath during fasting time.
• To pour water into the ear unknowingly
• Drunk water unknowingly

Hadith related to Ramadan

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127)

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.” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 123)