Fasting on Day of Arafah: Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The Day of Arafah " يوم عرفة " is the day that falls on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic Calendar. It is the day when all pilgrims present in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, gather together around Mount Arafat in the Plain of Arafat. It was from this site that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave his famous last sermon. It was the day when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned the verse of Qur'an in which Allah proclaimed that the religion of Islam had finally been completed.

The verse known as ikmal al-din (إِکْمَال الدِّيْن) is the 3rd verse of Surah 5 Al Maida of the Quran, the central religious text in Islam. 

حُرِّمَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ الۡمَيۡتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحۡمُ الۡخِنۡزِيۡرِ وَمَاۤ اُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ اللّٰهِ بِهٖ وَالۡمُنۡخَنِقَةُ وَالۡمَوۡقُوۡذَةُ وَالۡمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيۡحَةُ وَمَاۤ اَكَلَ السَّبُعُ اِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيۡتُمۡ وَمَا ذُ بِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَاَنۡ تَسۡتَقۡسِمُوۡا بِالۡاَزۡلَامِ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكُمۡ فِسۡقٌ​ ؕ اَلۡيَوۡمَ يَـئِسَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا مِنۡ دِيۡـنِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَاخۡشَوۡنِ​ ؕ اَ لۡيَوۡمَ اَكۡمَلۡتُ لَـكُمۡ دِيۡنَكُمۡ وَاَ تۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِىۡ وَرَضِيۡتُ لَـكُمُ الۡاِسۡلَامَ دِيۡنًا​ ؕ فَمَنِ اضۡطُرَّ فِىۡ مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّاِثۡمٍ​ۙ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏‏ 

(5:3) Forbidden to you are carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, the animal slaughtered in any name other than Allah's, the animal which has either been strangled, killed by blows, has died of a fall, by goring or that devoured by a beast of prey - unless it be that which you yourselves might have slaughtered while it was still alive - and that which was slaughtered at the altars. You are also forbidden to seek knowledge of your fate by divining arrows. All these are sinful acts. This day the unbelievers have fully despaired of your religion. Do not fear them; but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion, and have bestowed upon you My bounty in full measure, and have been pleased to assign for you Islam as your religion. (Follow, then, the lawful and unlawful bounds enjoined upon you.)16 As for he who is driven by hunger, without being willfully inclined to sin, surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.

Owing to the sanctity and importance of this day, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ kept fast on this day and recommended to his companions and believers to do the same. The importance of the day assumes added importance for as said by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafah.” (Muslim) In fact, fasting on the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims is a highly recommended Sunnah which entails a great reward; Allah forgives the sins of two years.

This hadith is mentioned in Sahi Muslim Hadith number 1162b, part of which is shared herein under: 

عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ اَلْأَنْصَارِيِّ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- { أَنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-سُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ.‏ قَالَ: " يُكَفِّرُ اَلسَّنَةَ اَلْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ ", وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صِيَامِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ.‏ قَالَ: " يُكَفِّرُ اَلسَّنَةَ اَلْمَاضِيَةَ " وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ اَلِاثْنَيْنِ, قَالَ: " ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ وُلِدْتُ فِيهِ, وَبُعِثْتُ فِيهِ, أَوْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ "} رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ 1‏ 

Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, "Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” He was also asked about fasting on the Day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, “Fasting on the Day of Ashura is an expiation for the preceding year.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was also asked about fasting on Monday, and he replied, "This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent (with the Message of Islam) and the day on which I received revelation." Related by Muslim.

Those not performing Hajj may follow the prophetic sunnah and fast on 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah and have their sins washed away for the preceding and the following year.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān. Also refer to our reference page: Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj for more information on Hajj.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Sources of Hadith: | 1 | 2 | 3 | Wikipedia: Day of Arafah

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Fasting during the first 10 days of Duh al Hijja (Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Fasting during the first 10 days of the month of Duh al Hijja is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and especially on the ninth of Duh al Hijja, which is the day of Arafat, because fasting on this day means our sins from the previous and coming year will be expiated. This practice is Sunnah for Muslims and is highly recommended. 

This Hadith is quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim The Book (#7) of Fasting - كتاب الصيام   / Chapter # 39 Fasting the (first) ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah) / باب صِيَامِ الْعَشْرِ‏) as Hadith number # 1727 as under:

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ الْبَطِينِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏"‏ مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ يَعْنِي الْعَشْرَ ‏.‏ قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ: ‏"‏ وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ. إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَىْءٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul- Hijjah. They said: “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything back.”

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

However, fasting on the 10th day of Duh al Hijja is prohibited being the Eid. This is specially mentioned by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as it appears in number of Hadith books as under:

With regard to fasting on the day of ‘Eid, this is haram (prohibited), as is indicated by the marfoo’ hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): “He [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] forbade fasting on the day of ‘Eid) al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr (the day of sacrifice, i.e., ‘Eid al-Adha).” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, no. 1992; Muslim, 827) 

For Id-ul-Adha, falling on the 10th day of Duh al Hijja, is a special day of festivities, especially for those who have just performed Hajj a day earlier and is a day to thank Allah for having blessed them with the opportunity to perform Hajj.  

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. 

Please refer to our page: Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj to know more about Dhu al-Hijja and Hajj. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Whose Fasting in Ramadan is Not Accepted by Allah

Alhamdolillah, we have found yet another Ramdan of our lives and almost everyone, barring the fragile, old and unhealthy, are fasting during this sacred month of Ramadan. Fasting is an act of conditioning one's wants, both physical and mental, and desisting from acts which are otherwise permissible during the period of fasting. Fating trains us to control our desires and even our attitudes. However, many of us do not pay attention to the special requirements of fasting and may end up in unacceptability of their fasting act by Allah.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in one of his Hadiths has mentioned why one's fasting will not be accepted by Allah.  This Hadith is mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Book 30 - Fasting كتاب الصوم / Chapter (8): Whoever does not give up lying speech while observing Saum باب مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فِي الصَّوْمِ) as Hadith 1903, given herein under:

حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ بْنُ أَبِي إِيَاسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"

This means if a fasting man cannot harness his tongue to rein in the forged speech or continues to indulge in evil act, telling lies and harming others both by his tongue and actions, he has failed to grasp the very basic conditions of why we do we fast. We must therefore be conscious of our behaviour and should not indulge in actions that are otherwise forbidden in our lives, for fasting in Ramadan conditions us to leave our bad habits and come clean when the month ends. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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One who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Relationship between man and woman is a natural requirement, both for establishment of a family and harness sexual desires by restricting these to one's spouse only. The following verse from Surah 24. An Nisa (The women) amply highlights the importance of marriage and Allah's promise to enhance one's means of sustenance:

وَاَنۡكِحُوا الۡاَيَامٰى مِنۡكُمۡ وَالصّٰلِحِيۡنَ مِنۡ عِبَادِكُمۡ وَاِمَآئِكُمۡ​ ؕ اِنۡ يَّكُوۡنُوۡا فُقَرَآءَ يُغۡنِهِمُ اللّٰهُ مِنۡ فَضۡلِهٖ​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيۡمٌ‏ 

(24:32) Marry those of you that are single, (whether men or women), and those of your male and female slaves that are righteous. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty. Allah is Immensely Resourceful, All-Knowing.

However, despite Divine promise, many men and women pass the age due to lack of resources and availability of adequate means of sustenance and affording a family. This also prompts some to engage in illegitimate relations which are considered Haram in Islam. 

For such an eventuality, there is a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī  (Book 30 Fasting كتاب الصوم / Chapter 10:  As-Saum for those who fear committing illegal sexual acts باب الصَّوْمِ لِمَنْ خَافَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الْعُزْبَةَ) as Hadith 1905:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، قَالَ بَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي، مَعَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ فَقَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ الْبَاءَةَ فَلْيَتَزَوَّجْ، فَإِنَّهُ أَغَضُّ لِلْبَصَرِ وَأَحْصَنُ لِلْفَرْجِ، وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَيْهِ بِالصَّوْمِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ وِجَاءٌ ‏"‏‏.‏

While I was walking with `Abdullah he said, "We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said, 'He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his sexual power."

In view of the above quoted verse from Qur'an and Hadith, it is amply clear that one should not delay his marriage because he cannot afford to for Allah promises means of sustenance to every servant of His. However, one can still not be able to marry and withhold his sexual desires, then he is advised to fast (Saum) for fasting will diminish one's sexual desires. But in no case, one should find an excuse for not having adequate means to marry and then indulge in illegitimate sex which is viewed as a gravest sin after Shirk in Islam and has severe penalties.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.  

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Reward of Fasting (Hadith Qudsi Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Intermittent fasting has become a modern trend to keep oneself in shape and healthy - an act purely on a medical basis and physical fitness. But fasting purely to please Allah has altogether a different dimension. Fasting for Allah means abstaining from every Halal thing during the duration of the fasting period, not for personal fitness and health reasons, but only to please Allah. 

Saum / fasting assumes an important place in the five-founding pillar of Islam:

• Profession of Faith (shahada). The belief that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" is central to Islam
• Prayer (salat). Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark
• Zakat (Obligatory Charity)
• Sawm صَوْم (Fasting) 
• Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Sawm is directly stated in the Quran saying: “Eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night…”. The fast occurs from dawn to sunset each day during which time believers are expected to prohibit themselves from any food, drink, sexual intercourse, or smoking. However, after sunset and before dawn, individuals can participate in any of the actions previously stated as they desire.

Since one abstains from Halal things purely to please Allah, Allah has Himself promised that the reward of fasting will be awarded by Him, mainly for this reason that a believer abstains from otherwise Halal things, though still accessible to him, for Allah. Therefore, when we fast, we must make sure that we do it to please Allah and not as a show off to appear pious in the eyes of others. 

This importance of fasting and its reward by Allah has been mentioned as * Hadith Qudsi in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī  (Book 30 Fasting (Al-Adab) كتاب الصوم / Chapter 9: Should one say, "I am observing Saum (fast)" on being abused? باب هَلْ يَقُولُ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ إِذَا شُتِمَِ) as Hadith 1904 (Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi متفق عليه - (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

* Hadith Qudsi is a narration from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which is supposed to be from Allah (SWT) in its meanings and from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) in its wordings. Hadith Qudsi is not like Qur'an because the whole Qur'an is absolutely authentic and every letter in Qur'an is from Allah the Glorious in the meaning and the words, while Hadith Qudsi is a narration which must be authentic and if it is proves authentic, then the meanings is from Allah but the wordings is from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ الزَّيَّاتِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلاَّ الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ‏.‏ وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، وَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ، أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ‏.‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا إِذَا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ، وَإِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

Let us fast to please Allah alone for we will be rewarded exclusively by Allah on the Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.  

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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Importance of Month of Muharram and Fasting on Day of Ashura

The new Islamic year 1442 has since commenced with the dawn of the 1st of Muharram " ٱلْمُحَرَّم ". This month is considered sacred for many reasons, specially the fasting of the 10th of Muharram.

The 10th of Muharram, known as Ashura, has special significance in the Jewish religion for Ashura marks the day that Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him)  and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the Sea, and is the Islamic equivalent to Yom Kippur. In Islam, Ashura follows the traditions of Judaism as Jewish people with a day day of fasting - commemorating the parting of the Red Sea for Moses and his followers to escape Pharaoh. In fact when Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (ﷺ) migrated to Medina from Makkah, and saw Jews fasting on 10th of Muharram for it was dedicated to the one of the earliest prophets of Allah, he also asked his companions to follow the suit to carry on the tradition of Jews, considered brothers following the same Divine religion as do the Muslims. However it must be understood that unlike obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, the fast of Ashura was made non-compulsory.

The month of Muharram, specially the Day of Ashura is of special significance to Shia Muslims in particular and rest of the Muslims in general for it was the day when Imam Hussain Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the third Imam of the Shia community, was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

In order to understand the importance of the month of Muharram and fasting on the day of Ashura, please watch an enlightening video below on the subject by Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, an Islamic televangelist and Islamic preacher. He is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation. He is also the founder of the Peace TV:

For more Q &A about understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam: Frequently Asked Q & A.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.

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If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Step by Step Guide to Fasting in Ramadan

Alhamdolillah, the month of Ramadan has finally come for those newly reverted brothers and sisters who will be experiencing their first Ramadan of their lives. It is indeed  great blessing of Allah that you will be fasting for the first time in your lives as Muslims. May Allah accept your fasts / saum (Arabic of fasting) and all your supplications you make this month and hereafter. Aameen.

Remember, fasting is mandatory for male and female who are health, is sane and pubescent.

Although, by now you would acquainted yourselves with the procedure to fast, let us here give you a step by step guide of how to go about fasting during this most sacred month of Islamic calendar. 

Allah has commanded us to fast during the month of Ramadan in verse 183 of Surah ii Al Baqarah:

يٰٓـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡکُمُ الصِّيَامُ کَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُوۡنَۙ‏ 

“Believers! Fasting is enjoined upon you, as it was enjoined upon those before you, that you become God-fearing.” [2:183]

Fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult male and female:

اَيَّامًا مَّعۡدُوۡدٰتٍؕ فَمَنۡ كَانَ مِنۡكُمۡ مَّرِيۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنۡ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَ​ؕ وَعَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يُطِيۡقُوۡنَهٗ فِدۡيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسۡكِيۡنٍؕ فَمَنۡ تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرًا فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّهٗ ؕ وَاَنۡ تَصُوۡمُوۡا خَيۡرٌ لَّـکُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ 

"Fasting is for a fixed number of days, and if one of you be sick, or if one of you be on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later on. For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever voluntarily does more good than is required, will find it better for him;and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know." (2:184) 

However there are special instructions for the women:

Those under Menstruation & Post-Natal bleeding: If the period begins before sunset, the woman’s fast is invalidated and she has to make up that day later when she is clean. During the rest of her period she cannot fast. If she becomes pure before Fajr then she should fast, even if she does not bathe until after the time of Fajr starts. All the missed days have to be made up after Ramadan. 

Both nursing and pregnant women are required to fast in Ramadan. You should not fast if you fear harm for yourself or your child, or if it is too physically difficult.All the missed days have to be made up after Ramadan . On the other hand, if fasting does not result in hardship or harm, then a pregnant or nursing mother must fast.

So when the moon for first of Ramadan is sighted after the month of Rajab, the believers are ordained to fast from the coming morning. So  intend in your heart the night before that you will fast the next day based on what the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: There is no fast for the person who did not intend to fast from the night before.” (An-Nasa’i).

Taraweeh Prayers: One of the four hallmarks of Ramadan besides fasting, the Night better than a thousand night and Aitikaf is Taraweeh Prayers which are often offered after the obligatory cycles of the Isha prayer. Please read more about Taraweeh Prayers in one our earlier posts: Taraweeh Prayers - Salāt al-Tarāwīḥ

Sehr / Suhoor - The Pre-Dawn Meal specific to Ramadan: after performing your prayers, one may go to sleep but get up much more than the time for the Fajr / Pre Dawn prayer for one of the recommended ritual of Sehr / Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal specific to Ramadan. Since one has to remain without food and water, therefore one must take a adequate meal before the time for Fajr prayer commences. If you have exact time of Fajr prayer available, even then it is recommended to stop eating a few minutes before that time to be the safe side. However, if you sleep over the Fajr time and could not get up for this pre-dawn meal, and wake up after sunrise, you must fast for the remainder of the day, and the fast is still valid.

 وَكُلُوۡا وَاشۡرَبُوۡا حَتّٰى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَـكُمُ الۡخَـيۡطُ الۡاَبۡيَضُ مِنَ الۡخَـيۡطِ الۡاَسۡوَدِ مِنَ الۡفَجۡرِ​ؕ

"and eat and drink at night until you can discern the white streak of dawn against the blackness of the night" (2:187)

In this connection, too, there was a misapprehension at first. Some thought that eating and drinking were absolutely prohibited after the performance of the 'Isha' (Night) Prayer. Others thought that one could eat and drink so long as one had not fallen asleep, but that if one had it was not permissible to eat on reawakening. These were people's own fancies and often caused great inconvenience. This verse seeks to remove all such misconceptions. It clearly lays down the duration of the fast: from dawn until sunset. Between sunset and dawn it is permissible to eat, to drink, and to indulge in the legitimate gratification of sexual desires.

At the same time the Prophet introduced the pre-fasting repast, recommending a good meal just before dawn.

In fixing the time of obligatory rites, Islam has been mindful that these timings should be so clear and simple that people, at all stages of development, should be able to follow them. This is why Islam bases its timing on conspicuous natural phenomena and not on the clock.

Some people object that this principle of timing is untenable in areas close to the poles, where night and day each last for about six months. This objection is based on a very superficial knowledge of geography. In point of fact neither day nor night lasts for six months in those areas - not in the sense in which people living near the Equator conceive of night and day. The signs of morning and evening appear at the poles with unfailing regularity and it is on this basis that people time their sleeping and waking, their professional work, their play and recreation. Even in the days before watches were common, the people of countries like Finland, Norway and Greenland used to fix the hours of the day and night by means of various signs that appeared on the horizon. Just as those signs helped them to determine their schedules in other matters, so they should enable them to time their various Prayers, the pre-fast meal and the breaking of the fast.

Some people have adopted an attitude of extreme caution with regard to the time of both the end and start of fasting. The Law has not fixed these schedules with rigid precision. If a person wakes up just at the crack of dawn it is proper for him to eat and drink hastily. According to a Tradition the Prophet said: 'If anyone of you hears the call for [the morning] Prayer while he is eating he should not stop immediately, but should finish eating to the extent of his bare need.' (Abu Da'ud. Siyam', 14 - Ed.) 

After one has stopped eating, he must make the intention of keeping the fast by saying
:

 وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

(Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan)

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan

The Prophet of Allah has recommended the eating of pre-dawn meal as he is quoted as saying: "Take suhoor as there is a blessing in it." He is also quoted as saying that eat even it be  simple date and a glass of water.

Thereafter, after commencement of the Fajr prayer time, your fast begins and will continue to be in place till the sunset next evening that is up to the Maghrab prayer.

Now the test commences from the pre-dawn prayer (Fajr) till the Maghrab prayer for those who are fasting. Here is a list of things that you are not allowed to do during the time under fasting:

• No drinking or eating during the day. This also includes taking any oral medicines.
• Smoking, prohibited at all times, also invalidates the fast.
• If one by mistake eats and drinks, he should immediately repent, but continue to fast. The fast will be valid. The Prophet of Mercy, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:If he forgets, and eats and drinks, then let him complete his fast, for Allah has fed him and given him to drink.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
• One has to abstain from marital relations with one's spouse during the fast time, whether one ejaculates or not, for it invalidates the fast However There are no restrictions at night.
• By extension, masturbation also invalidates fasting.
• Self-induced vomiting ruins the fast as the Prophet said:Whoever vomits unintentionally does not have to make up the fast later, but whoever vomits on purpose does have to make up the fast.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Breaking the Fast: Finally the time comes for breaking the fast. Fourth, the time for Maghrib or evening sunset prayer begins when the sun sets. That’s also when you ‘break’ your fast and can resume eating and drinking. This meal is called ‘iftar’.  

'Complete your fasting until night sets in' means that the time of fasting ends with nightfall, i.e. sunset marks the breaking of the fast. The precise time of the end of the pre-dawn repast is when a lean strip of aurora appears at the eastern end of the horizon and begins to grow. The time to break one's fast starts when the darkness of night seems to have begun to appear over the eastern horizon.

One need not wait for the light of day to disappear fully before breaking the fast. The Prophet, for instance, used to ask Bilal to bring him something to drink as soon as the sun had set. Bilal expressed his astonishment, pointing out that the light of day could still be observed. To this the Prophet replied that the time of fasting came to an end when the darkness of night began to rise from the east.

Before breaking the fast one must say:

 اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَليْكَ تَوَكّلتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ

(Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa ala rizq-ika-aftartu)

O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance

The Prophet would first break his fast, even if only with a sip of water, and then pray the dusk or Maghrib prayer. You are totally free to have your dinner at this time or later,however, you should not miss the Maghrib prayer because you are busy eating!

And from here on, the cycle repeats till the month of Ramadan comes to en end with the siting of the moon of Shawal, the first of which shall be celebrated as Eid ul Fitr.

There are yet two other hallmarks of Ramadan left: The Night better than Thousand Nights and the Aitikaf, that fall during the last ten days of the Ramadan. We shall write about Aitikaf when the last ten days of month of Ramadan near, while you may click on the link to know more about the Night better than Thousand Nights, a unique night that falls once in a year during this sacred month..

May Allah help us to understand the simple and most practical religion of all - Islam and allow us to take advantage of the month of Ramadan and concessions given to us in fasting when traveling or being sick. Aameen.

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.

Photo | Reference: Surah ii Al Baqarah

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Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 - Fasting In Different Times

Alhamdolillah, Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 is here and most of the Muslims will start to fast from Friday tomorrow while more will commence fasting on Saturday due to sighting of moon. It is the sacred month in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed and it is the month in which fasting has been prescribed for the Muslims.

For many reverts, this may be their first Ramadan and I wish them to be lucky to be experiencing their exposure to a month full of blessings and bounties.

However, this year, we are observing this sacred month in a very different time when almost the entire world is plagued by the deadly Corona Virus, which has taken a heavy toll of human lives and so far over 100,000 thousand have perished while over two million are still under the grip of this virus. Due to this virus, many rituals specific to this holy month will not be there and those newly reverted Muslims will not have a chance to see their first Ramadan being observed with full religious zeal and fervour,like:

The regular prayers and specially the Taraweh prayers may not be held in the masques for the fear of contraction of virus and holding of prayers as during this month, mosques are generally jam packed as every Muslim wants to collect as many blessings of Allah. Unfortunately, the Masjid al Haram, the Khan e Ka'bah in Makkah will be empty which is otherwise jam packed during the month of Ramadan as Muslims from all over the world come here to observe fasts right in the Home of Allah. May Allah take away this pandemic from us and let us be flock the mosques once again. Aameen.

The joint Iftar on streets of Muslim countries will be missing. Even in Makkah and Medina where the locals take it as an honour to have fast of others opened by bring from home lavish food and drinks for those fasting. 

Likewise the joint arrangements at the time of Sehr / Sahoor, the time to eat to keep the fast in the pre morning will be missed out too. 

But times would change, In Sha Allah, and we hope to see the next Ramadan without coonavirus and hope to revive our age old traditions specific to Ramadan.

Coming back to the month of Ramadan and observing of the fasts. Herein under are the references from the Holy Qur'an and excerpts from Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the observance of fasts:

The three consecutive verses of Surah al Baqarah, Chapter 2, verses 183-185 command believers to fast as it had been decreed upon people people:

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah: 183)

[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. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:184)

The month of Ramadan [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. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:185)

The Prophet of Allah has been quoted as saying while addressing his companions on the last day of Sha`ban:

"Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

Citing the importance of the month of Ramadan, `Abdullah ibn `Amr quoted the Messenger of Allah (saw), saying: 

"The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." [Imam Ahmad]

Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw): 

"There is a gate to Paradise that is called Ar Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?' When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked." [Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim].

Having emphasized the importance of fasting, let us see what rewards and bounties have been reserved for those who fast to please Allah:

Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [Imam Bukhari]

Please watch the video below by Nouman Ali Khan Quran scholar, Islamic modernist, exegete and educationist, on the subject:

From all of us at Islam: My Ultimate Decision, a very happy Ramadan to all Muslims of the world and readers of our blog. May Allah forgive our sins this Ramadan, protect Muslims all over the world,  liberate occupied Muslim lands of Palestine and Kashmir, and bless us the countless bounties of fasting. Aameen

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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Does Taking an Injection while Fasting in Ramadan Invalidates the Saum / Fast?

It is not Ramadan for it has been over just a couple of months from hence. However, at another forum, the question of taking an injection during fasting caught my attention, and I thought to find out more about the issue to clear an misconceptions related to the subject.

Most traditional religious scholars out rightly reject the concept and forbid taking of injections during the fasting hours of the Ramadan. And label it "Makrooh" or in other words "Not Desired." Therefore I thought of searching for the right answer based on technicalities involved in taking injections.

I consulted a number of sites for a definite answer and was enlightened to find the technical answer which may clear many a misconceptions on the subject. Injections are of two type: (1) injections that are taken for medical reasons (that is taking medicine), and (2) injections for nourishment in case one feels weakness and is required to boost one's energy level, specially those recovering from illness or in old age. 

So the general ruling on the subject is that:

• It is permissible for a fasting person to take medicine by injection, whether intramuscular or intravenous, during the day in Ramadan for medical reasons like taking a routine injection of insulin by the diabetics or an injection of insulin or an injection taken to relieve severe tooth or head ache. 
• But it is NOT permissible for the fasting person to be given an injection for nourishment purposes during the day in Ramadan, because that comes under the ruling on eating and drinking. 
• Since nourishment injections can be delayed for these do not directly lead to medical reasons and be taken after breaking the fast. 

In view of the above, it is permissible to administer medicine by needle into a muscle or vein or buttock to a fasting person during the day, for it will break the fast, for it is not food or drink, and it is not like eating or drinking. 

Please listen to an answer on the subject by Dr Zakir A Naik, who beside being a prominent religious scholar of the present times, is also a doctor of medicine by profession:

May Allah allow us the wisdom to interpret issues with wisdom and knowledge and may forgive us in case of wrong advice or misinterpretation. Aameen.

Author's Note: The data above has been collected from the references as given below. If any one differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 

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