4th Pillar of Islam
The Fasting in Ramadan
(The Expression of Divine Love Through
Self-Discipline)
Definition of Fasting:
Literal meaning:
Sawm/Siyaam – Comes from the word
(withdrawal/stop/avoid)
Technically defined as ‘to refrain from eating,
drinking, and having intimate relation from
dawn to sunset with an intention.’
Who is obliged to fast in Ramadan?
On every Muslim
Who is Sane
Mature
Aware of its obligation
Who is not obliged to fast in
Ramadan?
 Traveler (does not intend to stay at a particular
destination for more then 14 days)
 Pregnant Women and Nursing Women
 Who are extremely elderly and frail
 With Chronic ailments
 Children
 Fidya ((ransom)-1.6kg of wheat or 3.2kg of barley to a poor
person or pay its value in cash per fast
Note: No one can fast on behalf of another person
Kaffarah-Expiation
• Fast for 60 days
consecutively in
Ramadan
• Punishment
Qada-Make up
• Not a punishment
• Can make it up
later
What is Kaffara?
Kaffara
Expiation
1. To deliberately break the fast
2. To in take medication
3. To swallow the saliva of one’s spouse
Kaffara is:
To fast for 60 days consecutively . If a person is unable to do this, he may;
Feed 60 people 2 meals
Feed one poor person two meals a day for 60 days
Give 60 poor people 1.6kg of wheat or its equal value in cash
Give 1 poor person 1.6kg of wheat or its equal value in cash every day
for 60 days
Things That Break Fast:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To eat something that is not considered food ex. Paper, dough, flour etc.
Forced to eat, drink or have intimate relationship
Taking enema or inserting medicinal drops into the nostrils
Putting eardrops in the ear
Accidently swallow water when rinsing the mouth
Deliberately vomiting a mouthful, or to swallow vomit after vomiting a
mouthful or less then a mouthful unintentionally
7. To eat or drink deliberately after eating and drinking accidently
8. To have intimate relationship intentionally after having if accidently
9. To smoke or to inhale second hand smoke
10. To brake the fast due to intense hunger or thirst
11. To eat something stuck between ones teeth that is the size of a chickpea
or larger
12. To break the fast before sunset while assuming the sun has set
Things that do not break the fast:
1.
To eat, drink or have intimate relationship forgetfully
2.
To vomit unintentionally or vomit less than a mouth full deliberately
3.
To gather saliva in the mouth and swallow it
4.
To take injection or give a blood test
5.
Applying surma (kuhl) to the eye
6.
Applying oil to the body or hair
7.
Having water enter the ear holes while taking a bath or shower
8.
Cleaning the ears out with a Q-Tip
9.
To swallow something stuck between the teeth that is smaller then a
chickpea
Types of Fasting:
1. Fardh: Specific- (Ramadan)
: Not Specific- (Making up fast of Ramadan)
2. Wajib: Specific- (If I win in the Stock-market game I
will fast on Monday)
: Not Specific- (If I win I will fast)
3. Sunnah: (fasting at least 3 days a month)
4. Mustahab: (Fasting Monday’s and Thursday’s)
5. Disliked: (Friday’s)
6. Prohibited: (Prohibited on Eid Days)
Disliked: (a) Affects the physical form of fasting. Anything
coming to your internal stomach or mind.
(b) Affects spiritual form of fasting (e.g. Movies)
I’Tikaaf (retreat)
• I’tikaaf means to enter the masjid with the intention of
remaining therein (in worship)
• M’utakif: One who makes I’tikaf.
Types of I’tikaaf (retreat)
Wajib: To vow or pledge to make I’tikaaf (on a fixed day)
Sunna Mu’akkada: To reside the last 10 nights and days of
Ramadan in the Masjid (Mosque) is Sunnah Muakkadah ‘ala kifaya
Mustahab or Nafl: This I’tikaaf can be for any amount of time,
even for a few minutes.
NOTE: No fast is conditional for Mustahab or Nafl I’tikaaf.
Conditions of I’tikaaf:
 Islam
 Sanity
 Tahara
 Intention
 It is makruh to remain silent intending to be a form of
worship.
 A woman’s I’tikaaf in in her area of prayer and ‘ibada
(musallah) in her home.
NOTE: Middle of the house is better then front part, and
the back is better then the middle.