CONTRACEPTIVES AND FASTING
Q) If a woman is on a contraceptive, can she continue to use it so not to miss
fasts in Ramadhaan? the contraceptive is used for medical purposes and not to
prevent a child-not married.
A) If an unmarried female is on a contraceptive for medical reasons, she may
continue its use as that will be of dual benefit to her, medical as well as to
be able to fast. If she does not have to take it for medical reasons then it is
advisable for her not to do so as that is disturbing the natural cycle which may
have health implications. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
KISS WHILST FASTING
Q) During fasting, can I give my wife a tight squeeze and a smacking kiss?
A) If you are able to contain your carnal desires, then it is permissible to do so. If you are unable to do so, for example, you are young or newly married and
there is a strong possibility that the hugging and kissing will lead to being
more intimate, then it is prohibited. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti
Ebrahim Desai]
NOSE DROPS, EYE DROPS
Q) Can a person who is sick inhale some menthol type medicine through the nose to clear the head during fasting in Ramadan? Can a person put eye drops in their eye during Fasting in Ramadan?
A) It is not permissible to inhale medicine during fasting. It is permissible to
use eye drops during fasting. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
SWIMMING
Q) Can one swim while fasting ?
A) It is permissible. Care should be taken that no water enters the mouth. It will,
however, be best to abstain and use the precious moments of this month in
Ibaadat. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Moulana Imraan Vawda]
BREASTFEEDING
Q) I am breastfeeding my 5-month old daughter - can I fast during Ramadan? The iftar time will be 8:30pm. If fasting affects lactation should I continue or make up the days later?
A) It is permissible to fast whilst breastfeeding. However, if fasting affects
lactation, you may make up for the fasts later. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best.
[Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
SWALLOWING MUCUS
Q) If someone has a throat infection and is coughing up green or yellow colored sputum, if such sputum is swallowed will this invalidate the fast? Similarily if someone has a runny nose from the flu or common cold which is producing clear mucus, if this mucus is swallowed will the fast be invalidated?
A) Swallowing Mucus or sputum does not invalidate the fast. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
SEHRI TIME
Q) Being a Shafie, was my fast valid if I accidently followed the hanafi sehri ending time (which is earlier)? I am from Malaysia and studying in UK. I was not aware of the difference between fajar and asar time between the shafie and hanafi mazhab. A large portion of last ramadhan, I ate to the last minute before sehri ends using the hanafi time. Do I have to perform qada?
A) There is no difference of opinion in the terminating time of Sehri and commencing time for Fajr Salaat. All the scholars are unanimous that Sehri ends upon the commencing of Subh-e-Saadiq (break of dawn) when the horizontal light in the sky appears. Fajr time commences at Subh-e-Saadiq. Your fasts were valid and you do not have to make Qadhaa of your fasts. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best.
[Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
TOOTHPASTE & BRUSHING TEETH
Q) 1. I was wondering if brushing with miswaak allowed (which has a taste to it), why isn't brushing with tooth paste allowed?
A) It is permissible to make miswak while fasting. To use tooth paste in the state of fasting is Makrooh (disliked). The minimum taste in the miswak is unlike the strong taste in the paste. Furthermore the paste is a solid substance and liquidifies more in the mouth thereby having the potential of going down the throat. [Mufti E. Desai]
Q) 2. Is it permissible to brush teeth while fasting?
A) It is makrooh to use toothpaste during fasting. One may use the miswaak during fasting. [Mufti E Desai]
BLOOD TEST
Q) 1. If blood is taken out of the body, does this break the fast?
A) Taking out blood during fasting does not invalidate the fast. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]
Q) 2. I am diabetic and I am prone to fainting - can I take blood tests to monitor my blood sugar during ramadan?
A) Shari'ah (laws of Islam) are balanced and have taken into consideration different circumstances. If a person is ill to such an extent that he will faint due to fasting, then he will be excused from fasting. Such a person may give Fidya (compensation) for not fasting. However, taking blood tests during fasting is permissible and that does not invalidate the fast. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
GUMS BLEED
Q) When I am fasting, sometimes my gums bleed. If I swallowed this blood would my fast be broken? Sometimes I cannot spit the blood out at work as I cannot leave my post to go to the toilet easily?
A) You should not swallow the blood. However, the swallowing of the blood does not invalidate the fast. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]
INJECTIONS WHILST FASTING
Q) Is it permissible to take an injection while fasting and does that nullify the fast?
A) It is permissible to take an injection during fasting. The injection does not nullify the fast. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.432) And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
ASTHMA PUMP
Q) I am an asthma patient. Is it permissible for me to use the inhaler during fasting? The inhaler contains salbutamol (liquid medication). If it is not permissible, what should I do when I get an asthma attack during fasting?
A) Since the inhaler contains a medication (salbutamol), the use of it in the state of fasting will invalidate the fast. We advise you take medication at the time of Sahri to avoid an asthma attack. However, should you get the attack during fasting, if there is no adequate alternative which does not break the fast, you may use the inhaler and make-up for that fast later (make Qadhaa). And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
LIP BALMS
Q) Are you allowed to put anything on your lips during fasting, such as lip balm or vaseline to help them from burning?
A) It is permissible to use a lip balm in the state of fasting. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]
WET DREAM
Q) During Ramdhan, if one has a wet dream (self relief during sleep), is the fast valid?
A) If one has a wet dream during fasting, the fast is still valid. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]
INTIMACY WHILST FASTING
Q) I am fasting is it permissible to sleep with own wife ? If yes what we can do with her. touch, kiss, hug etc.
A) It is not permissible to have intercourse with one's wife during fasting. If the husband can control his desires, then he can touch, kiss, etc. the wife. If he fears that it may lead to being intimate with her, then it is prohibited. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]
MENSES
Q) 1. If a female gets her period during her fast, can she break the fast right away or she has to wait till the end?
A) If a female gets her periods during fasting, she may eat immediately thereafter. However, she should not do so in public and in the presence of other fasting people. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]
Q) 2. A female starts menstruating while fasting. What if she stops menstruating during fasting? How should she conduct herself?
A) If her menses commenced while fasting, she can eat (not in public). If her menses stopped while fasting, she should abstain from eating, drinking, etc. but (in both instances) make up for the day by keeping a Qadhaa fast after Ramadaan. (Aalamgiri vol.1 pg.214; Rashidiyya)
BATHING WHILST FASTING
Q) I've been told not to take bath when I'm fasting,either before fasting or after iftar I can take a bath.Please tell me whether this is true.
A) It is permissible to take a bath while fasting. The information given to you is incorrect. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]
PREGNANCY & POST BIRTH
Q) 1. Is a pregnant woman or one who has just delivered, permitted to fast in the month of Ramadhaan?
A) The fast of a pregnant woman is valid. However, due to weakness during pregnancy, she is exempt from fasting. After delivery of the baby, during Nifaas (bleeding after birth), she cannot fast. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
Q) 2. A woman delivered a baby about a month ago through a ceassarean operation. The doctor said that the operation wound may take upto 6 months to recover. She is also breast-feeding the baby. She has been adviced to keep herself healthy with proper intake of food. Since Ramadan is commencing after 1 month, is it permissible for her to miss her fasts in the month of Ramadan and make up for it later. Please advice.
A) Allah Ta ala says in the Qur aan, If a person is sick (whilst in Ramadhaan) or on a journey, then complete fast on other days (besides Ramadhaan). If by not eating there is harm feared to either the woman or her child, it will be permissible for her to continue eating and keep Qadhaa of Ramadhaan whenever she is able to. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
QADHAA FASTS IN SHAWWAL
Q) Is it permissible to make up for the days missed during the month of Ramadhaan while people are fasting the six days in the month of Shawwal?
A) Yes. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]
Taken from Islam.tc.
Prepared by Al-Islaah Publications