The Rule Of Fidyah Or To Compensate Your Fast Later:
Fidyah is defined as a religious donation made in Islam when a fast during Ramadan is missed or broken before sunset. The donations can be in terms of food, or money, and it is used to feed needy people.
Now lets see who has to pay Fidyah:
A traveler is traveling during Ramadan can miss the fast and he has to make up the fast later.
The person who cannot fast due to a permanent illness or old age has to pay fidiyah for each day of Ramadan fast he has missed. If there are chances to recover from illness then the person has to make up the missed fasts later.
Pregnant or nursing women who miss the Ramadan fasts due to fear of themselves or their child being weakened. They have the option to either give Fidyah for each day they miss the fast in Ramadan or to keep their missed fasts later.
What Are The Rules For Fasting During Ramadan
Daytime fasting during Ramadan has an ascetic quality. Muslims basically go about their normal routine, including work school and social functions. However, observers of Ramadan are expected to abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures, according to the Council on Islamic American Relations .
What is the main reason for fasting during Ramadan?
One of the greatest benefits and reasons for fasting in Ramadan is renewing solidarity and cultivating positive relationships with ones family and community. Only one who observes fasting in Ramadan can truly know the beauty and joy of breaking fast with others, celebrating the gift of life daily for thirty days with loved ones.
Why Are Muslims Fasting
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for 30 days until the day of Eid al-Fitr. Fasting is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory acts of worship for every Muslim. The other pillars are: testifying to God and the Prophet , praying , giving money to the poor , and making the pilgrimage to the sacred Arabic city of Mecca .
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Fasting During Ramadan Guide For Beginners
We have a blessed day of the week, which is Juma and we have the most blessed month of the year, which is Ramadan. Ramadan is known for being the month of Quran and the month of forgiveness and purification. In this month, Muslims practice the Sawn Pillar which means fasting during Ramadan from the time of dawn until sunset. This act of worship may seem difficult for people who did not try it before but for Muslims it is a beautiful experience and a reminder of Allahs blessings to humanity.
Things To Do During Ramadan
All about goodness, patience and forgiveness, here are the things that one should do during the holy month of Ramadan.
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Key Points For Ramadan
MEDICAL ISSUES Always speak to your doctor about the safety of fasting if you are diabetic or have any other health concerns. Islamic faith forbids Muslims to fast who have physical issues that can harm them during Ramadan.
BREAKING THE FAST The ideal way to deal with iftar is to consume 2-3 dates with milk or a bowl of soup or fruit salad. After the Maghrib prayer have your dinner which should include complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and veggies. Dates are a dense source of calories and are packed with potassium, iron, copper, manganese and fiber which gives you instant energy and replenishes the lost electrolytes during the day. Milk will also have a cooling effect during the hot summer days. You can try other dried fruits which are somewhat similar, such as dried figs, prunes, apricots and raisins.
HEALTHY SNACKS It is recommended to have healthy snacks like popcorn, boiled corns, salad, fruits and nuts as a snack. Ideally, you should reduce your caffeine intake by drinking less than 2 cups of tea or coffee per day. Consuming more caffeine will dehydrate you and may cause light-headedness and acidity issues during the fasting period. Always make sure to drink plenty of water and even some fresh fruit juice to avoid dehydration.
IFTAR MEAL Eating a balanced diet is essential to maintaining good health and obtain the full benefits of Ramadan. Some examples of foods to eat include:
Ramadan Fasting: What Is Allowed What Is Forbidden
Islamic holy scripture and law is quite particular about which activities are allowed during Ramadan and which are prohibited. The following list applies to the time from dawn until dusk:
| Allowed | |
| Using eye drops, contact lenses, and perfumes | Deliberately causing yourself to vomit |
| Taking injections or blood tests | Women with menstrual and post-childbirth bleeding cannot take part in the fast. |
| Brushing teeth and using toothpicks | Sexual intercourse and masturbation. Kissing between husband and wife is allowed, but should be avoided. |
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Ramadan : Know All About Observing Fasts Or Roza By Muslims During The Holy Month Of Islamic Calendar Ramzaan And The Obligatory Rules And Traditions Practised From Dawn To Dusk To Mark A Month Of Spiritual Reflection Increased Devotion And Worship
The ninth month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar is Ramadan, also pronounced as Ramzaan or Ramzan, which marks a month of fasting by Muslims from fajir or dawn i.e. before the sunrise to maghrib or dusk i.e. after the sunset. While the West culturally follows the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar is lunar which means it is based on the sighting of the crescent moon.
The holy month of Ramadan occurs approximately 10-11 days earlier every year depending on when the moon is sighted since lunar months are shorter than solar months and so it varies from country to country by about a day. The whole month is spent by Muslims in spiritual reflection, increased devotion and worship but there are certain obligatory rules and traditions guiding the roza or fasts during these 29 or 30 days on Ramadan.
Tradition of fasting by Muslims:
The annual observance of keeping fasts throughout Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam with fasting being the fourth pillar. A fast is called a roza which is governed by the idea of practicing self-restraint.
A typical day of a rozedaar or a Muslim observing a roza should start with sehri or suhoor which consists of a lavish meal before dawn. The rising of the sun marks the beginning of the fast which is then broken with an iftari or feast after the sunset and the evening prayer.
Breaking a fast with iftari delicacies can put a smile on the hungriest of people.
Rules of fasting for Muslims:
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Rule # : Refraining From Immoral And Unethical Acts
One of the prominent rules of fasting for Muslims is that they have to abstain from unethical, immoral, and unnecessary acts. It is advised to refrain from them regardless of Ramadan but to honor the sacredness of the month, it is heavily suggested to abide by it.
Muslims are advised to desist from foul play, false talks, and deed these include quarrel , indulging in arguments, backbiting, use of bad words and names, watching indecent content, listening to music, dressing provocatively, being judgmental, and others to name the few.
The fasting rules also require a Muslim not to talk too much or talk about that they are fasting or how thirsty and hungry they are. Fasting is about food spirit and cheers hence having a temper and showing it is also prohibited.
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Can You Drink Water During Ramadan
No, for all practising Muslims, Ramadan is a month of dry fasting between the hours of sunrise to sunset, and this varies between countries.
This means that Muslims are to refrain from drinking water or any other liquid, and eating food.
It is recommended that anyone fasting consumes enough water at night, before the sun re-rises.
If you consume anything during daylight hours, the fast becomes void and would not count.
Ghazala Yousuf is a lead Dietitian at Harley Dietitians. On hydration, she recommends pacing yourself with drinks and food, but cut out the caffeine if you can, because it can be dehydrating.
Going for fruits such as watermelons, and soup can help with drink intake during the night, and pacing yourself is vital.
In other forms of hydration, she said: Coconut water is also quite re-hydrating, so when youre thinking about what type of juice to have, ask, is it something that hydrates you?
Who May Be Excluded From Fasting
There are certain situations when it is optional to fast during the month of Ramadan, however, the fast must be made up at a later date. This is the rule for the sick or for the one who is traveling.
However, women who are experiencing post-childbirth bleeding or are in their menses are not allowed to fast until their bleeding ends. They must make up the days they missed fasting at a later date.
For those who cannot fast due to a permanent illness or old age, they have to pay fidiya for each day that they have missed.
Pregnant and nursing women, who are afraid that fasting may weaken them or the child, have the option of fasting or not. After Ramadan ends, they have the choice of fasting or paying fidiyah for each day that they had missed during Ramadan. However, according to the Hanafi School of jurists, such women are only to make up the missed days of fasting, and they are not supposed to feed one poor person a day. On the other hand, Imaams Ahmad and Ash-Shaafi, hold the opinion that if such women fear only for the baby, they must pay the fidiyah and make up the days later. If they fear only for themselves or for themselves and the baby, then they are only to make up the missed days at a later date.
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So Do You Lose Weight During Ramadan
Some of you may be thinking, “Wow, that sounds like a great way to lose weight! I’m going to try it!” But in fact, Ramadan is actually notorious for often causing weight gain. That’s because eating large meals super early in the morning and late at night with a long period of low activity bordering on lethargy in between can wreak havoc on your metabolism.
One meta-analysis of scientific studies on the effects of Ramadan fasting on body weight found that “eight changes during Ramadan were relatively small and mostly reversed after Ramadan, gradually returning to pre-Ramadan status. Ramadan provides an opportunity to lose weight, but structured and consistent lifestyle modifications are necessary to achieve lasting weight loss.”
So just like with any other extreme diet plan, you may lose a few pounds, but unless you actually make “structured and consistent lifestyle modifications,” you’re probably not going to see major, lasting results.
Testing Blood Sugars During The Fast
If you take certain tablets or insulin, fasting carries the risk of low blood sugars .
This means its important for you to know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar and to test your blood sugars more often during the fast.
If your blood sugars drop below 4 mmol/l you must break your fast and take some sugary fluids followed by starchy food as otherwise you will harm your body and may need medical attention. Its a good idea to carry hypo treatments with you and a bottle of water during the fasting period.
You may develop high blood sugar levels during a fast if you miss your usual prescribed medication, if you have larger portions of starchy or sugary foods or if you are less physically active than normal. High blood sugars can increase your risk of dehydration which can make you feel dizzy and tired.
If your blood sugar is 16.6 mmol/l or more you must break the fast and seek medical advice. Without medical advice this could lead to diabetic ketoacidosis a serious condition requiring hospital treatment.
If youre not able to get hold of your GP or diabetes team, it would be advisable not to fast, especially if youre not sure of what to do with your diabetes medications. And if you need urgent medical help, you can use the NHS 111 online service.
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Potential Health Complications And Remedies
Indigestion fasting usually reduces the amount of acid, but thoughts of food or the smell of it make the brain order the stomach to produce more acid, so heartburn could be a problem during the fast. Those who are on regular medication for indigestion, such as antacids, antihistamines, or proton pump inhibitors are advised to continue taking them, at the pre-dawn meal.
The control of heartburn or belching can be aided by eating in moderation and avoiding oily, deep-fried or very spicy food. Reducing your caffeine intake and/or stopping smoking can also be of benefit, if relevant. Preparations such as peppermint oil may help reduce belching or colic. Sleeping with your head raised on a few pillows and long-term weight loss may also help prevent heartburn.
Dehydration Dehydration is a common occurrence during a fast. The body continues to lose water and salts through breathing, sweat and urine the quantity of water loss will vary depending on the weather, how much you had to drink before your fast, the degree of physical exertion and the ability of the kidneys to retain water and salts. Prevention is always better than cure. However, if you do not adequately rehydrate before a fast, your risk of dehydration is increased.
Depending on the severity of the dehydration, you may experience a general feeling of being unwell, lethargy, muscle cramps, dizziness, disorientation and even collapse or fainting.
Recommended Acts During Ramadan
There are some acts that are recommended, and if you practice them, you will gain more rewards from Allaah such as:
Having suhuur and delaying it until just before fajr time.
We should also hurry to break the fast at sunset.
Another recommended act is that we break the fast by eating an odd number of fresh or dry dates, and if those are not available, then having a drink of water would be sufficient.
Also we can earn rewards by supplicating at the time of breaking the fast, as the prophet used to say, Dhahabadh-dhama-oo wabtallatil-urooqu, wa thabatal-ajru inshaaAllaah. Which can be translated as, The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and Allaah willing, the reward is confirmed.
Another recommended act is that we pray taraaweeh daily after Isha
To gain even more rewards, it is recommended that during Ramadan we increase our recitation and study of the Quran. This is because the revelation of the Quran began during this time, and also Angel Gabriel used to review the Quran with the Prophet during this month.
We can also gain rewards by using Miswaak , if not available, any other cleaning tool to clean the mouth is sufficient.
We ask Allaah to strengthen us in Ramadan, accept our fasts, and reward us with His forgiveness and the highest place in Paradise. Ameen.
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Who Is Exempt From Sawm
Fasting is mandatory on every Muslim who is sane, adult, able and resident. The following exemptions apply:
‘But if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties.’
Rule # : Practicing Other Type Of Worships Is A Must
Islam is a holistic religion and doesnt see anything in isolation, especially when it comes to the act of worship. Irrespective of what the month is, offering Salah , reading the whole Quran at least once, and doing charity is expected of Muslims all year round.
Therefore when it comes to Ramadan, all the acts of worship are expected to be practice regardless of whether someone is fasting or not . The best part of this Ramadan fasting rule is that every type of worship practiced in this holy month is rewarded 70 times more than the other months.
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