Day 5: Realities Of Ramadan

The first reality of Ramadan is that in its early days, many people would mistakenly eat during the day. If you eat or drink forgetfully or accidentally, your fast is still intact. Stop the food or drink without any additional swallow, clean up and continue your fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If one of you eats and drinks out of forgetfulness, let him complete his fast for it was indeed Allah who gave him the food and drink." (Bukhari) This is how simple and unburdening Islam is. This is how beautiful and delicious it tastes to practice Islam with Knowledge and Wisdom.

Further, some people allege that a fasting Muslim is not allowed a warm or cold bath. Not true, a bath is harmless to your fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pour water over his head while fasting due to the thirst or the heat. (Ahmad) Ibn Umar (RA) soaked a garment in water and put it over himself while fasting. (Bukhari)

When the fasting Muslim feel sick, he is allowed to make up for it another day after Ramadan. Do not force yourself to continue the fast. “But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. God intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of God for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Qur'an 2:185)

Particularly, if you are in charge of cooking, you are allowed to taste food on your tongue if your job or duty requires it as long as it does not go down your throat. Ibn Abbas said: "There is no harm for a person to taste vinegar or anything while he is fasting, as long as it does not enter his throat." (Baihaqi)

Bloodletting does not affect your fasting, particularly if it is from wounds, accidents, cupping, or sample for testing. "The Prophet was cupped while he was fasting." (Bukhari) However, if it would make the fasting person to be dizzy or weak, then it would be deemed as a sickness, and thus discouraged. "Anas bin Malik was asked whether they disliked the cupping for a fasting person. He replied in the negative and said, "Only if it causes weakness." (Bukhari)

Another reality is that we usually would need to cleanse our teeth while fasting. Narrated 'Amir bin Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak (chewing stick used to clean the teeth and mouth) while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." Abu Huraira also said, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution’." The Prophet did not differentiate between a fasting and a non-fasting person regarding the Siwak. 'Aisha said, "The Prophet said, 'It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures.' " Ata' and Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva." (Bukhari, Vol. 3 #154)

If anyone is forced to eat or drink during Ramadan, he should still go ahead with his fast. The Prophet said, "Allah has excused for my ummah (community) mistakes, forgetfulness and what they are forced to do." (Al-Hakim & Daraqutni)

The Kuhl (antimony) is the black sustenance usually applied to the eyelids for beautification and medication. Sometimes it is felt in the throat or seen in the saliva. Imam Ibn Taymiyah (as well as majority of the scholars) opined that it is permissible to apply it during the day of fasting. This ruling also applies to eye drops and eardrops, as well as similar objects.

Drips are generally allowed except if it is used as a nourishment or supplement. If it is only for treatment (medicinal) a fasting person may take it, the principle is that treatments are allowed for a fasting person except that which nourishes him. But if the fasting person feels hunger or thirst and takes drip to feel better than the fasting purpose is defeated. However, medicinal drips are for the sick, if you are too sick to require drips, you will be in one of the exempted categories already.

It is allowed to start the fast in a state of impurity, which could be sexual, menstrual or from wet dreams etc, in case you are unable to have your ghuslu bath before fasting start. Aisha narrated that, "The Prophet would sometimes be in a state of janaba (sexual impurity) from his wives and fajr salaah would come upon him, then he would bathe and still be fasting." (Bukhari)

 - Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

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