By the grace of Allah, Ramadan is set to begin in a few days. Allahu Akbar. Even though fasting is familiar to Muslims, there are reasons to remind ourselves of certain guidelines for fasting as the season arrives; at least, to maintain the sanctity of our Ramadan fast. While Islam promotes the performance of specific good deeds during Ramadan, it warns believers against engaging in actions that may invalidate or harm their fast.
Ramadan extends beyond the physical act of refraining from food, drink, and marital relations during daylight hours. The spiritual elevation during this sacred month can only be achieved if a believer's fasting is sincerely supported by a heart that holds reverence for Allah (SWT); a conscience marked by genuine regret and repentance; a mind devoted to the remembrance of Allah (SWT); a tongue engaged in the recitation of the holy Qur'an; and a body (mind and spirit) entirely dedicated to the worship of one God, Allah (SWT).
Muslims who observe fasting are unlikely to receive the reward, pardon, and compassion that are promised to them if they do not avoid sinful behaviors such as lying, spreading rumors, deception, interest-based dealings, and any other prohibited speech or actions. The Prophet (SAW) said, "Allah (SWT) does not accept the fast of a believer who continues to tell lies."
Besides the tongue, every part of the human body, such as the eyes, ears, hands, and legs, must be monitored throughout the day during the entire month of Ramadan. Islam cautions believers against engaging in any activity (especially during daylight hours) that might invalidate their Ramadan fast. This encompasses watching movies via satellite cables or CD players; embracing or kissing individuals of the opposite sex, as well as unguarded glances at them or their images; and listening to provocative music. These are behaviors that can individually incite desire in men (and women as well).
It is advised against using toothpaste during the day while observing Ramadan. Regarding the use of (Siwak), religious scholars state that it can be used at any time during Ramadan, as long as nothing from it is ingested, particularly if it imparts any flavor to the saliva. Employing Siwak before each ritual purification and prayer to maintain oral hygiene is a practice established by the Prophet in Islam.
Jurists have issued rulings stating that using an inhaler is permissible for individuals with asthma during fasting. The reasoning is that the contents of the inhaler do not reach the intestines but instead go directly into the lungs. Likewise, intramuscular injections for medical purposes do not invalidate the fast, unless the injection contains substances with nutritional value that could replace food or drink. Applying body creams and lotions during Ramadan is also allowed in Islam since their effects do not enter the stomach but remain on the skin.
During the month of Ramadan, a Muslim may also give blood or undergo a blood test, as long as the amount taken does not cause physical weakness that would prevent them from enduring the day's fast. However, if the amount of blood required is significant enough to make the donor unable to continue with the fast, then the fast is considered invalid. This is based on the analogy that cupping, as practiced by the Prophet (SAW), invalidates fasting. Nevertheless, in cases where it is absolutely necessary for life and death situations, and a large amount of blood needs to be donated, a fasting individual is allowed to give blood and then consume food and drink for the remainder of the day, with the intention of making up that day's fast at a later time.
If a Muslim, due to an oversight, consumes food or drinks water between the times of dawn and sunset, he is not required to perform kaffarah (a sixty-day continuous fast as expiation) nor to make up that day's fast after Ramadan. His fast for that day remains valid provided the act was unintentional. Imam Bukhari narrates through Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) stated, "If one of you forgets during Ramadan and then eats or drinks, let him complete his fast; indeed, it is Allah (SWT) who has allowed him to eat or drink." However, the Muslim should cease eating or drinking immediately upon remembering that he is fasting. Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, "Allah has pardoned my Ummah's errors, their forgetfulness, and what they are compelled to do."
The fast of a believer remains valid even if the dawn (fajr) occurs while he is in a state of major ritual impurity (junub) due to reasons beyond his control. Aisha (RA) and Umm Salamah (RA), the wives of the Prophet (SAW), reported that the Prophet (SAW) would rise during the morning while in a state of junub from sexual intercourse, not from a dream, during Ramadan, and then continue with his fast for that day. The fast is considered valid as long as the individual does not enter a state of major impurity after the break of dawn. However, if someone indulges in lustful thoughts or actions after dawn and consequently enters a state of major impurity, they commit a serious sin. In such a case, they must make up for it by fasting for sixty consecutive days along with the day they invalidated, resulting in a total of sixty-one days of fasting.
Due to the growing issue of misinformation on social media in our region, we recommend refraining from sharing any unverified information regarding the sighting of the Ramadan crescent on the 29th day of the current Islamic lunar month, Sha'aban. Let us await the official declaration from Amirul Mu'mineen of Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar.
O Allah! Place us among those who will fast during this year's Ramadan; grant us the benefit of His mercy and forgiveness in this holy month, Amin.
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