• Today is: 29 Shawaal 1445 | May 8, 2024
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Questions and Answers

What happens to my fast if I eat or drink forgetfully?

This fast will remain valid and is not nullified. (Fatawa Rahimiyyah 4/75)

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Prepared by Shariah Board of New York

If a person accidentally swallows water during wudh, does his fast break?

Yes. In such a case only qadh? is necessary and not kaffarah, meaning he has to make up only one fast in place of it. (Fatawa Rahimiyyah 4/75)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is it permissible to use toothpaste while fasting?

It is makruh (disliked) to use toothpaste whilst fasting. There is a strong possibility of the toothpaste being swallowed. (Hidayah, 1/123)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is it permissible to use the miswak during fasting?

Yes (Tirmizhi, 716)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is it permissible to take a blood test while fasting?

Yes. It is permissible to take a blood test provided that it does not cause weakness in the body to such an extent where one is unable to fast. (Ahsan al-Fatawa 4/435)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Will injections break my fast?

No (Fatawa Rahimiyyah 4/72-73)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

I am diabetic and need to use insulin injections during my day. Will this break my fast?

No, injections do not break the fast. (Fatawa Rahimiyyah 4/72-73)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is one allowed to have a dentist appointment during Ramadan?

Visiting the dentist's office will not invalidate one's fast, however, it is advisable to delay the appointment until after Ramadan as there is a strong possibility of something reaching the throat. (Ahsan al-Fatawa 4/436)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Will my fast break if I have my tooth taken out?

No (Fatawa Rahimiyyah 4/76)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Will smoking nullify the fast?

Yes. It is impermissible to smoke while fasting and it will necessitate a qadh? as well as a kaffarah, meaning he must fast two consecutive months to make up for this. (Fatawa Rahimiyyah 4/89) (Durr al-Mukhtar 3/366)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Will using a nasal spray invalidate the fast?

Yes. (Radd al-Muhtar 2/395)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is one excused from fasting merely because the fasting hours are long?

No. (Ahsan al-Fatawa 4/70,433)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is taking part in suhoor (a meal before Fajr time) a condition for the fast to be valid?

It is mustahabb (recommended) to eat suhoor, as it has been encouraged by the Prophet (s). However, if one is unable to take part in suhoor, the fast will still be valid (Bukhari, 1923) (Muslim, 1095)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is it preferable to delay in breaking the fast (after the sun has set)?

After the sun has set, one should not delay in breaking the fast. It is reported in Musnad Ahmad that the Prophet (s) said, "My ummah will remain upon good so long as they delay the suhoor, and hasten in iftar (after the sun has set)." It is reported in another hadith in Sahih al- Bukhari that the Prophet (s) said, "The people will remain upon good so long as they hasten in iftar (after the sun has set)." (Musnad Ahmad, 21507) (Bukhari, 1957)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Can a person fast on someone else's behalf?

No (Imd?d al-Fatawa 2/151) (Radd al-Muht?r 2/119)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Are women permitted to fast during their cycle or during post-natal bleeding?

Women are not permitted to fast on the days of their cycle nor post-natal bleeding. Those fasts must be made upon later date, after Ramadan. (Ahsan al-Fatawa 4/438)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

When making up Ramadan fasts, should taraweeh prayers also be made up?

Taraweeh prayers are specific for the month of Ramadan. The fast is to be made up without performing any Taraweeh prayer. (Bukhari, 37) (Muslim, 759)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

If blood goes down a person's throat, will the fast be invalidated?

If there is no doubt that blood did go down a person's throat, that fast will be nullified and will need to be made up. (Radd al-Muht?r 3/367)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

If one can't fast in the month of Ramadan because of old age what should they do? Can his family fast for him?

No one can fast on behalf of another person. If a person is not capable of fasting in the month of Ramadan due to some reason, such as old age and or such an illness from which he has no hope of recovery, then he may offer fidya (monetary compensation) for each day he is unable to fast. (Imd?d al-Fatawa 2/151) (Radd al-Muht?r 2/119) These fidya payments are meant to feed a misk?n (person in need) for each of the fasting days missed and are equivalent to the price of feeding one person twice. If he wishes he can give fidya from the beginning of Ramadan for the entire month or he can give it at the end of the month. To give fidya before the month commences will not be correct. (Ahsan al-Fatawa 4/430,445)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Will using an inhaler break my fast? Please keep in mind that I am an asthma patient?

Yes, since inhalers contain medicine, they will break the fast. If a patient has asthma then their difficulty in breathing is a good indication that they should break the fast and use the inhaler if there is a flare up and make up one fast later as qadha. Therefore, if your doctor feels that your condition is severe enough to cause weakness or worsen your health if you fast then this could be considered a chronic illness which will allow you to break your fast and pay fidy?h. If you recover from your illness then you will need to perform make up the fasts (qadha). (Ramadan aur Jadid masa'il pg.141)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

If I apply cream or lotion will it break the fast?

All creams, lotions and medications that are for external use and are applied to the skin will not break the fast. (Ramadan aur Jadid masa'il pg.187)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

I have a chest infection and my doctor gave me some medication to take, can I break my fast?

If your doctor considers it to be a severe illness because of which your condition will worsen if you fast, then you should take your medication and perform a qada later. There will be no need for kaffarah. (Maraqiy al-Falah pg.258)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

I have an appointment with my gynecologist for a pap-smear procedure during Ramadan, will it break my fast?

This will break the fast because generally this type of procedure is carried out using lubricants and creams which will enter the private area. If lubricants and creams are not used then it will not break the fast. (Fatawa Rahimiyyah 4/72)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Can a woman on her period eat food in Ramadan during the day?

She will be allowed to eat anytime during the day. It will be preferable not to eat in front of others who are fasting. (Ahsan al-Fatawa 4/438)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Will eye drops break my fast?

Eye drops and any other eye procedures will not break the fast even though the medication can be tasted it in the mouth. The same applies for applying surma. (Ahsan al-Fatawa 4/439)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Is it permissible not to fast if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?

Is it permissible not to fast if there is a fear of harm to the fetus or the mother is unable or finds it difficult to produce milk without regular meals. (Tirmizhi, 707)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York

Will vomiting break the fast?

Fast will not break a person vomits unintentionally, regardless of how much vomit came out. If he vomits intentionally (by putting his finger in his throat), his fast will break if a mouthful or more of vomit comes out. In such a case, only qadha is necessary. (Tirmizhi, 711)

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Prepared by Darul Ifta, Shariah Board, New York