By the grace of Allah, Ramadan is approaching within days. Allahu Akbar. While fasting is a well-known practice among Muslims, it is important to reiterate some fundamental dos and don'ts each time this holy month arrives; this helps ensure the sanctity of our fast. Islam encourages various virtuous actions during Ramadan while warning believers against any deeds that could undermine or invalidate their fast.
Fasting transcends mere physical abstention from food, drink, and intimate relations from dawn until dusk. True spiritual growth during this sacred month is best achieved when a believer's fast is genuinely accompanied by a heart filled with the fear of Allah (SWT), sincere remorse, steadfast remembrance of Allah (SWT), recitation of the holy Qur'an, and a mind and spirit wholly devoted to worshiping the one God, Allah (SWT).
Those observing the fast are unlikely to experience the promised rewards, forgiveness, and mercy if they engage in sinful behaviors, including lying, gossiping, deception, usurious dealings, and any disrespectful speech or deeds. The Prophet (SAW) stated, "Allah (SWT) does not accept the fast of a believer who does not cease from lying."
Beyond the tongue, all parts of the body — including the eyes, ears, hands, and legs — should be guarded during the daylight hours throughout Ramadan. Islam advises believers against participating in any acts, particularly during the day, that could jeopardize their fast. This includes watching movies through cable connections or CDs, kissing, hugging, and unguarded gazes towards individuals of the opposite gender, including their images; as well as listening to suggestive music. Each of these actions has the potential to incite indecent desires.
The application of toothpaste during daytime fasting is discouraged. For users of the Siwak (chewing stick), scholars agree that it is permissible to use it at any point during the day, as long as nothing is swallowed and it does not alter the saliva's taste. Using Siwak before every ablution and prayer is a prophetic tradition in Islam.
Jurists have also permitted the use of inhalers by those with asthma while fasting. The reasoning is that the contents of the inhaler enter the lungs, not the intestines. Furthermore, intramuscular injections for medical reasons do not invalidate the fast unless they contain substances that are nutritionally substantial. The application of creams and lotions during Ramadan is considered acceptable since their effects are limited to the skin, not the stomach.
Throughout Ramadan, believers may choose to donate blood or undergo blood tests so long as the amount taken does not cause excessive weakness. However, fasting is invalidated if the volume of blood taken affects the donor's ability to maintain their daily fast. This is derived from the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), which states that cupping invalidates fasting. In dire circumstances requiring a significant blood donation, a fasting person can donate, later eating and drinking for the day, with the intention of compensating for the missed fast later.
If someone forgets and eats or drinks during the fasting hours, they are not required to perform kaffarah (expiation through consecutive fasting for sixty days) nor make up the fast after Ramadan. Their fast for that day remains valid provided the act was unintentional. Imam Bukhari reports from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said, "If anyone among you forgets (during Ramadan) and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast; truly, it is Allah (SWT) who provided him the food or drink." Nonetheless, the believer must cease eating or drinking the moment they realize they are fasting. Ibn Abbas (RA) recounts the Prophet (SAW) stating, "Allah has overlooked my community's forgetfulness and their forced actions."
A believer's fast remains intact even if they find themselves in a state of major ritual impurity (junub) when dawn arrives. Aisha (RA) and Umm Salamah (RA), the wives of the Prophet (SAW), both narrated that he would wake up in a state of junub from sexual relations but not from a dream during Ramadan and would continue with his fast for the day. The fast remains valid as long as a believer does not enter a state of major impurity after dawn. However, should one indulge in indecent thoughts or actions post-dawn, which leads to major impurity, they incur a significant sin and must atone by fasting for sixty consecutive days in addition to the loss of the vitiated fast, totaling sixty- one days.
In light of the rising spread of misinformation on social media, especially regarding the possible sighting of the Ramadan crescent on the 29th of the current Islamic lunar month of Sha'aban, it is advisable to refrain from disseminating unverified news. We should await an official announcement from Amirul Mu'mineen of Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
O Allah! Grant us the opportunity to witness and observe this year's Ramadan fast, making us recipients of Your mercy and forgiveness in this blessed month, Amin.
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