RAMADAN FAQ’S

RAMADAN FAQ'S

QUESTION 1

DOES BRUSHING TEETH BREAK FAST DURING RAMADAN?

Concern: Will brushing my teeth with toothpaste break or invalidate my fasting during Ramadan?

Assalamualaikum,

The question regarding brushing your teeth during Ramadan is one that many have every single year.

The ruling is that no it will not invalidate your fast, with one condition.

It is sort of like Wudu which you snuff water up your nose and rinse your mouth with water as well.

The one condition is as long as you do not intentionally swallow the water or toothpaste. If it is done deliberately to derive some satisfaction then your fast is broken.

If it is done by accident and the person had no intention of swallowing then his fast is still valid.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and drink.” Sahih Bukhari 6669

It is completely fine to brush your teeth during Ramadan. It is good dental hygiene. By not brushing your teeth we can offend others and give off a bad reputation. In fact in Sahih Muslim 562 and Sahih al-Bukhari 5451, a person who ate garlic was not told not to come to masjid because of their bad breath.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: He who eats of this plant (garlic) should not approach our mosque and should not harm us with the odour of garlic.

What is recommended is to brush your teeth before suhoor, use miswak (siwak) during the day, and then to brush teeth after iftar time.

CONCLUSION:

It is okay to brush your teeth during Ramadan with toothpaste as long as you don’t intentionally swallow.

Allah knows best.

QUESTION 2

I want to fast during Ramadan but I don’t pray salah or miss them quite frequently. Is it worth fasting if I don’t pray?

Concern: On one hand it feels bad to not pray, but it feels even worse to miss the fast during Ramadan. Should I continue fasting even if I miss the prayer.

In Islam it is quite clear.

Allah has enjoined both the prayer and the fast during the month of Ramadan for the believers. So what is best for you is to offer both the prayer and fasting the twenty nine or thirty days of Ramadan.

If your question is whether missing the salah invalidates or breaks your fast, there is no mention of this. If you miss the prayer out of forgetfulness during the day it is best to quickly make up for it (cover the topic of making up missed prayers here).

But if you’re wondering if there is a choice between choosing one over the other there is no option. The Qur’an clearly mentions both are enjoined for the entire Ummah.

 

QURAN VERSE ABOUT KEEPING SALAH AND FASTING

 

“Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat As-Salat) for My Remembrance.” Surah Taha ayah 14.

“Establish obligatory prayers. Verily, such prayers are enjoined on the believers at stated times” Surah An Nisa ayah 103

““O you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.” Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 183

 

CAN’T PICK AND CHOOSE BETWEEN PRAYER OR FAST

 

The simplest analogy which may help you see the importance of both fasting and keeping salah:

To access the gates of Jannah you will need a key. This key has many teeth and each tooth of the key has to be developed. And guess what, you are the locksmith, if you just forgot to properly develop the key do you think you will be granted access to the door?

In the Sahih Bukhari hadith 553 it warns us against the dangers of missing Salah.

Narrated Abu Al-Mahh [??]: We were with Buraida in a battle on a cloudy day and he said, “Offer the Asr prayer early as the Prophet said, “Whoever leaves the Asr prayer, all his (good) deeds will be annulled.”

 

CONCLUSION:

We are on this planet for a short period of time. In this time we must perfect what it means to be a Muslim. After the Shahada the second most important pillar is your five obligatory prayer. Whether it is inside or outside Ramadan.

 

I cannot advise or encourage you that it will be okay if you just do one. Allah has commanded the entire Ummah before you and those who will be here after you to do both. There are no special exceptions.

 

You are given the free will, if one chooses to just perform the fast without praying Salah then his or her case will be with Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. He alone will make the judgement whether the fast is acceptable or not.

 

But Allah and The prophet have taught us the significance of the salah Surah Maryam ayat 59-61,

 

“But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil – Except those who repent, believe and do righteousness; for those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all. [Therein are] gardens of perpetual residence which the Most Merciful has promised His servants in the unseen. Indeed, His promise has ever been coming.”

 

QUESTION 3

DID NOT WAKE UP FOR SUHOOR (SEHRI) DO I STILL NEED TO KEEP FAST

The Concern: Today I woke up after the time for suhoor (sehri) and wondering if I still have the obligation to keep my fast for Ramadan?

How does not waking up affect my Niyyah for fasting?

The instruction from the Qur’an is quite clear regarding fasting. In Surah Baqarah it says,

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous –”

See: All Verses From Qur’an About Ramadan

There is no mention in hadith or Qur’an which says, if one does not wake up for sehri they are exempt from fasting that day.

If a Muslim does not eat suhoor, this is not a valid reason for being excused from fasting. There are only a few cases where one is excused from fasting and we discuss them here.

Yes I know…

I think we can all agree that missing the window for sehri will be a more challenging test. But it’s important you keep the fast as it is a commandment from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Sawm (fasting) is the fourth pillar of Islam and a distinguishing quality of what it really means to be a Muslim. Not keeping the fast deliberately because of forgetfulness, a mistake or laziness is a sin.

If you do worry about your health because of some underlying conditions you may be excused from the fast – I would advise consulting a doctor first.

Fun Facts About The Human Body and Spirit:

At least 60% of the adult body is made of water.

We are able to go without food for around three weeks but would typically only last three to four days without water.

True starvation only occurs after missing several consecutive days without food or water.

What About Niyyah (Intention) To Keep Fast?

In Sunan An-Nasa’i 2331 it says:

It was narrated from Hafsah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever does not have the intention of fasting before dawn, then there is no fast for him.”

It is true that we must have the proper niyyah (intention) before fasting. But the intention does not need to be done verbally, it can be made from the heart.

It can also be done the first night of Ramadan and be valid for the entirety of the month unless it is broken due to sickness or from travels. Being a women experiencing menstruation during Ramadan would also constitute the person making niyyah again to fast for the remainder of Ramadan.

Again, niyyah comes from the heart, there is no hadith suggesting that the Prophet (ﷺ) or the sahabah used to say “I intend to keep the fast” before actually fasting.

Suhoor is not mandatory part of fasting:

The Suhoor or eating before dawn is the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). This is not actually a fardh of fasting. But we want to perform the fast with excellence and to the best of our abilities. This is done by emulating the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and to do as he did.

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Riyad As Salihin Book 9, Hadith 1229

And in Sunan Ibn Majah 1692, “It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Eat Suhur, for in Suhur there is a blessing.”

And Allah knows best.

May Allah accept our fasting, duas, good deeds and forgive us for our sins and short comings.

 

QUESTION 4

 

WHAT ARE VALID REASONS FOR NOT FASTING?

 

Valid Reasons for Not Fasting during month of Ramadan.

In Islam there are five pillars which are to be upheld by all Muslims.
  1. First pillar: The Shahada
  2. Second Pillar: Salah
  3. Third Pillar: Zakat
  4. Fourth Pillar: Sawm (Fasting)
  5. Fifth Pillar: Hajj
  6.  

These pillars form the foundation for what it means to be a Muslim.

Now, if you think about the tallest buildings in the world, for example the Burj Khalifa in Dubai or the Shanghai tower in China, do you think it would still be standing if these buildings were built on a foundation of sand rather than concrete?

 

No… it would be foolish to even try. When a storm comes, and it will eventually come, it would tear it all down.

 

The same can be said about the strength of the believer’s faith to Islam.

 

We must conquer the basic tenets of Islam before we try to advance and get into the nitty gritty details.

 

One day while the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is Islam?” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) replied, “To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan.” [1]

 

WHO MUST FAST RAMADAN DURING RAMADAN?

The people who are obligated to fast is every accountable Muslim. A young child is not accountable, but once he or she reaches the age of maturity (puberty) then they are required to keep their fast as well.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.”
Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 183

There are health and circumstantial exceptions which allow for missing the fast.

 

WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM FASTING DURING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN?

The groups of people who scholars agree are not required to fast during Ramadan are (1) elderly, (2) women that are pregnant, nursing, and/or menstruating, (3) people travelling, (4) those who are stricken with an illness, and (5) those who are forced to break their fast out of coercion.

There are differences of opinion when we get into specifics, for example who is exempt from fasting because they are travelling. Questions like what constitutes travel, how far must one go?

But generally, those are the accepted groups that have a valid reason and are excused from keeping the fast.

 

FASTING WITH AN ILLNESS

“…whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” Surah Baqarah Ayah 185

Here’s the story of my mother who is type 2 diabetic and fasting. In the middle of the day she became very tired and lethargic and fainted while coming down the stairs (don’t worry, alhamdullilah there was no serious injury) but it was no longer safe for her to continue the fast and so she broke it by drinking some water to rehydrate.

If you are already fasting and have become sick and wish to break the fast due to sickness or illness there are four different conditions in which this would be permissible. [2]

 

  1. The sickness is severe and will be made worse by fasting.We later checked my mother’s blood sugar level and it was alarmingly low. It would have worsened if she continued her fast.
  2. Recovery will be delayed by fasting.In this case, we immediately needed to rehydrate and get some carbohydrates to spike the blood sugar level. Not doing so could have worsened the situation.
  3. Fasting will cause intense hardship. Let’s say my mother continued her fast she probably could’ve have made it to iftar, but this was risky and is hard to know without hindsight. One thing for sure is she wouldn’t be able to operate normally for the rest of the day. Some may be stubborn and try their best to continue but remember, “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”
  4. The scholars also included those who fear that they may become sick because of fasting. Upon consulting with a doctor, if they were worried about my mothers health because of unstable or fragile diabetes, it would be better to avoid fasting because of the potential harm it could cause. Instead she should try to feed one person in need for every day missed.
  5.  

FASTING IN OLD AGE

There is a consensus that elderly do not need to fast, but there are no specific age criteria that needs to be met.

If he is old but healthy then he should consult a doctor and keep his fast upon approval. If keeping the fast leads to deteriorating a person’s health, then he is exempt. We know the older population are vulnerable making them more prone to falling ill and it’s important we do all the necessary steps to stay healthy.

 

FASTING WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING

In the hadith of Ibn Majah, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)  reported that “Allah has relieved the traveler of half of the prayer, and He has relieved the traveler, the pregnant, and the nursing mothers of the duty to fast.” [3]

 

FASTING WHILE ON JOURNEY OR TRAVELLING

The same hadith above is referenced as to why you don’t need to fast while travelling.

There is a difference of opinion among scholars about just how long is one exempt from fasting if he is travelling. What if, for example, a student is studying abroad for 2 months?

The majority of scholars say the condition for skipping the fast is same as qasr salat. The hanafi fiqh says 15 days, the others schools say a resident is anyone who intends to stay in the same city for more than four days and four nights.

 

MENSTRUATION AND FASTING:

When a woman is menstruating, she is also excused from fasting.

“This blood is like menstrual blood. When she sees it she should break her fast, and then make up the days she has missed. Then, when the blood has completely stopped, she should do ghusl and fast.” [4]

 

COERCION

There is one more group who can break their fast, and that is the one through coercion. If your livelihood is threatened by those looking to oppress you it is safer for you break the fast. You can always make these up another day before the next Ramadan. Don’t let your pride or stubbornness come in the way.

Allah knows best.

Inshallah this article has provided you something you did not know before. Please comment below with opinion or suggestions. Your comments do help and lead us to building a better site.

Jazakallah khairan.

 

References:

[1] Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 50

[2]  Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (4/403):

[3] It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that a man from the tribe of Banu ‘Abdul-Ashhal, while (one narrator) ‘Ali bin Muhammad said (he was) a man from the tribe of Banu ‘Abdullah bin Ka’b, said: “The cavalry of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) attacked us, so I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) while he was eating a meal. He said: ‘Come and eat.’ I said: ‘I am fasting.’ He said: ‘Sit down and I will tell you about fasting. Allah has relieved the traveler of half of the prayer, and He has relieved the traveler, the pregnant, and the nursing mothers of the duty to fast.’ By Allah, the Prophet (ﷺ) said them, both, or one of them, and now I feel so disappointed that I had not eaten of the food of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).” Hasan (Darussalam) Ibn Majah English reference: Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1667

[4] Malik was asked about a woman who began the day fasting in Ramadan and though it was outside of the time of her period, fresh blood (i.e. not menstrual blood) flowed from her. She then waited until evening to see the same but did not see anything. Then, on the next day in the morning she had another flow, though less than the first. Then, some days before her period, the flow stopped completely. Malik was asked what she should do about her fasting and prayer, and he said, “This blood is like menstrual blood. When she sees it she should break her fast, and then make up the days she has missed. Then, when the blood has completely stopped, she should do ghusl and fast.” Muwatta Malik Book 18, Hadith 49

QUESTION 5

WHAT ARE THE (10) THINGS THAT WILL BREAK YOUR FAST DURING RAMADAN?

Things that break the fast.

The thought which crosses many Muslim’s minds during the month of Ramadan seems to follow the a similar format, “will ________ break my fast?” (Fill in the blank with swearing, vomiting, chewing gum, or brushing teeth).

There’s a good reason for this, we all just want some type of guidance as to navigating this blessed month. What exactly is permissible and what should be avoided because it invalidates the fast.

In this article we hope to provide you some clarity regarding the most popular questions which Muslims have regarding things which may invalidate the fast during Ramadan.

 

GENERAL RULE FOR THINGS WHICH BREAK YOUR FAST:

Things that break fasting during Ramadan must check the three conditions:

  1. The person knows that it breaks the fast and is not ignorant to it.
  2. The person is conscious of what he is doing and has not forgotten that he / she is fasting.
  3. The person does it of his own free will and is not being compelled or forced to do it. (i.e. it is the choice of the person).

If all three conditions are fulfilled, then the action has broken the fast and one should seek the forgiveness of their Lord.

 

LIST OF 10 THINGS WHICH BREAK THE FAST:

There are two categories of things which break the fast, the first being things ingested into the body and the second, things which are expelled from the body.

Things ingested which break the fast:

  1. Eating [1]
  2. Drinking [1]
  3. Medicine, injections, pills, transfusions.
  4. Kidney dialysis, where blood is recycled back and put into the body.

The Second Category refers to actions which lead to bodily fluid from being expelled from the body. These also would break the fast and include:

  1. Sexual intercourse [1,6]
  2. Masturbation
  3. Menstruation [7]
  4. Vomiting (if done deliberately). [8]
  5. Post Natal Bleeding
  6. Cupping or Blood donation (for blood donation there’s a difference of opinion). [2]

The Qur’an has verses mentioning rules for Ramadan (see those ayats in article here). Specifically, in Surah Baqarah ayah 187 it gives us a clear ruling to abstain from sexual activities during this month and to avoid drinking and eating until sunset. [1]

What is permissible with your spouse is kissing, hugging, and embracing as long both can control your desires. The Prophet was said to be affectionate while keeping his fast but he was able to show self restraint from it escalating further.

 

HADITH ON RAMADAN:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is (exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it. Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a person fasting. By Him, in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah on the Day of judgment than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts has two (occasions) of joy, one when he breaks the fast he is glad with the breaking of (the fast) and one when he meets his Lord he is glad with his fast.

Sahih Muslim 1151

 

May or May Not Break The Fast:

  1. Accidentally drinking or eating while fasting? Eating and drinking intentionally will break the fast. However, if you sincerely forgot and ate or drank out of forgetfulness your fast is not broken. [4]
  2.  
  3. Brushing your teeth: this does have the possibility of breaking your fast. Now, it will only break your fast if it reaches the back of the throat or if it reaches the stomach because you have swallowed the water and paste. You can brush your teeth before Suhoor and after Iftar, but if you fear smelly breath during the day It is recommended to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and use Miswak instead.
  4.  
  5. Using an inhaler: if you are medically prescribed it will not break your fast (Mufti Shaykh Ibn Al-Uthaymeen and Shaykh Muqbil)

INJECTIONS INVALIDATE FAST?

  1. Injections. Taking nutritional injections does break the fast.
  2. Diabetic on Insulin. Taking an insulin injection while fasting will not break the fast. [5]  (it is advised to consult physician if you’re a diabetic to see if fasting is safe for you).
  3. Taking anesthetic injection for any medical procedure does not break your fast according to Shaykh Ibn Al-Uthaymeen.
  4.  
  5. Kidney Dialysis: This is the process where the blood is extracted from the person’s body and filtered and cleansed through a machine. It is then restored but can include the adding of salts, sugars, vitamins. If this is the case then it does invalidate the fast. [9]

Does this mean those who are in dialysis are hopeless when it comes to Ramadan? No, in Majmoo’ Fatawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 20/113 it says “if the substances that are mixed with the blood do not include nutrients, rather they simply cleanse the blood, then this does not break the fast. In this case he may use dialysis even if he is fasting. He should refer to the doctors about this matter.”

“And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)” [Al-Baqarah 2:184]

 

Vomiting: The hadith also mentions the one who deliberately vomits has broken the fast and should seek forgiveness. [8]

How can vomit be done deliberately?

By sticking fingers in the throat or pressing on the stomach. These are unlikely to happen to you. What is more probable, deliberately smelling something nasty or watching grotesque videos on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube which you know might make you throw up.

BLOOD WHICH INVALIDATES FAST

Nose Bleeds – Does not break the fast.

Injury or wound where minimal blood is released – Does not break the fast.

Blood work for testing – Does not break the fast.

Regarding donating blood there is a difference of opinion among scholars as to whether it breaks the fast or not. (The confusion arises because of two hadiths, see reference 2 and 3).

If the amount of blood released from an unintentional action such as a nose bleed or wound is as large and the person has become weak then it is permissible for him to break the fast.

DOES SWEARING OR CURSE WORDS BREAK THE FAST

Using curse words or lying does not break the fast but it does take away from its rewards and is makruh (disliked) behavior.

 

Concluding Thoughts:

Regardless if it’s in Ramadan or not, I challenge you to look in the mirror and fight your bad behaviors. None of us are perfect, but we don’t need to repeat next five years like the past five. We don’t need to repeat the same old bad habits that don’t serve us.

It’s easy to be short tempered than seeking to understand. Easy to get angry than remain calm. Easy to lie or deflect than face the truth. 

Remember, if you do what is hard your life will be easy, if you do what is easy your life will be hard.

Let’s work towards cultivating the character of one who has Sabr (patience).

 

References:

[1] It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. (2:187)

[2] Narrated Thawban, the client of the Prophet (ﷺ): The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: A man who cups and a man who gets himself cupped break their fast. Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 2370

[3] Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) was cupped while he was fasting. Sahih al-Bukhari 1939.

[4] It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever eats out of forgetfulness while fasting, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah Who has fed him and given him to drink.” Sahih (Darussalam) Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith 1673

[5] This is the fatwa of the Islamic Fiqh Assembly of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Decision Number: 93 (10/1). Session Venue: Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Session Date: Safar 23rd – 28th, 1418 A.H. / June 28th – July 3rd, 1997 C.E.

[6] Narrated Abu Hurairah: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: I am undone. He asked him: What has happened to you? He said: I had intercourse with my wife in Ramadan (while I was fasting). He asked: Can you set a slave free? He said: No. He again asked: Can you fast for two consecutive months? He said: No. He asked: Can you provide food for sixty poor people? He said: No. He said: Sit down. Then a huge basket containing dates (‘araq) was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ). He then said to him: Give it as sadaqah (i.e. alms). He said: Messenger of Allah, there is no poorer family than mine between the two lave plains of it (Medina). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) laughed so that his eye-tooth (canine tooth) became visible and said: Give it to your family to eat. Musaddad said in another place: “his canine teeth”. Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 2390

[7] Malik was asked what she should do about her fasting and prayer, and he said, “This blood is like menstrual blood. When she sees it she should break her fast, and then make up the days she has missed. Then, when the blood has completely stopped, she should do ghusl and fast.” Muwatta Malik Book 18, Hadith 49

Also, in Sahih Al Bukhari 304 it says, “woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses”.

[8] Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: if one has a sudden attack of vomiting while one is fasting, no atonement is required of him, but if he vomits intentionally, he must make atonement. Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abu Dawud 2380

In another hadith: Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullah ibn Umar used to say, “If some one makes himself vomit while he is fasting he has to make up a day, but if he cannot help vomiting he does not have to make up anything.” Muwatta Malik Book 18, Hadith 47

[9] Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/190

[10] Narrated ‘Aishah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to kiss and embrace while he was fasting, but he was the one of you who had most control over his desire. Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 2382. Also, in Jami at-Tirmidhi 727, Ibn Majah Vol. 1, Book 7 Hadith 1685, Sahih Muslim 1106, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1928.

 

QUESTION 6

WHAT ARE THE FIVE QURAN VERSES ABOUT RAMADAN AND FASTING

 

“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)

We welcome the most awaited month of the Islamic calendar, the holy month of Ramadan.

The month of countless blessings.

The month in which 1.8 billion Muslims all around the world fast separately, yet together.

It is during this month the Prophet (ﷺ) was visited by Jibril who revealed to him the beginnings of what would later be known as the Qur’an.

During this month our relationship with our creator evolves. And like any relationship if we give it our time, attention and focus we can strengthen and reinforce this bond.

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was recorded as saying, “Actions are judged by the doer’s intentions. Whatever a man has set his heart on, he shall have it. So he who emigrates for God and his Messenger will be led by his emigration to just that destination. And he who emigrates for wordly reasons, to enrich himself or to marry, will be led to just those objectives.” [1]

Here’s some homework for you:

What you are intending for?
What do you hope you get out of this month?
How do you wish to grow during this month?
How can you be of service and help others?

Don’t just try and go through the motions of fasting and prayers. Try to absorb as much rewards and good deeds as you can (this is something we should be asking ourselves everyday. Don’t just let this moment slip by without having gained something, let it move you).

Ramadan is not just about testing your will power and abstaining from food. At a deeper level, Ramadan is about transcending to become the best versions of ourselves to please Allah (swt). To abstain from all things negative, be it in wicked thoughts, words, or actions.

It’s a reflective period where we analyze the person we are becoming.

Are we on the right path or headed down a bad direction? To err is human and Ramadan is the time to course correct.

Inshallah, I hope the best for you this Ramadan. May we all grow spiritually.

THE FIVE VERSES IN QUR’AN ABOUT RAMADAN

There are a total of five different ayats which mention Ramadan in the Quran. Here they are in Arabic with the English translation.

1.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

Surah Baqarah Ayah 183. O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous –

2.

أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Surah Baqarah Ayah 184. [Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.

3.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Surah Baqarah Ayah 185. The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَٱلْـَٰٔنَ بَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَسَٰجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

Surah Baqarah Ayah 187. It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

Surah Al Qadr: Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

 

References:

[1] Sahih Al-Bukhari Book 1 Hadith #1