Fasting in Islam

What is Fasting (Siyaam)?

The Islamic definition of Fasting is worshipping Allah by abstaining from food, drink and other actions which invalidate person’s fast from dawn to sunset.

What are the pillars of Fasting?
  1. A sincere intention; and
  2. Abstaining from food, drink or any other actions that invalidate the fast.
What are the different types of fasts?
  1. Obligatory fasts: There are the fasts in the month of Ramadhan, expirations and vows.
  2. Voluntary fasts: Any other fasts that are not obligatory.
How to make intention for the fasts?

Making intention for fasts is in the heart. Making the verbal intention by saying Arabic words is an act of innovation (Bid’ah). Therefore, verbal intentions must be avoided.

When to make intentions for the fasts?
  1. Obligatory fasts: Intention must be made the night before on fasts e.g. before the Fajr prayer. It is also sufficient for a person to make a single intention for the whole month at the beginning of the month of Ramadhan.
  2. Voluntary fasts: Intention can be made at any time of the day as long as the fasting person has not eaten or done anything that would invalidate the fasts. The reward of such fast is in accordance with how early a person makes the intention and begins his fast.
What are the conditions for the obligation of a fast?
  1. Islam – Fasting is only accepted from Muslims;
  2. Sanity – The fasting Muslim must be in a sane state. A mentally disabled person is not required to fast.
  3. Puberty – Fasting becomes an obligation once the child reaches the age of puberty. Please note that when a child reaches the age of discernment (tamyeez) then s/he is encouraged and trained to fast by her/his guardian.
  4. Travelling/ residence – The travelling person is not obligated to fast. It is better to fast if it does not cause any hardship on the travelling person. It is better to fast in such circumstances for the follwing reasons:
    A. The Prophet s.a.w. Often fasted whilst on a journey;
    B. A person gains the virtue of fasting in the month of Ramadhan;.
    C. The fast does not need to be made up.
  5. Health – The fasting person needs to be healthy enough to fast. Ill or weak person does not need to fast.
  6. Purity – The fasting person has to be pure from menstruation and post-natal bleeding.

Fasting for the ill:

  1. Chronic illness: A weak or old person also falls under this category. There is no obligation to fast in this state. However, a poor person must be fed for each day missed. Each poor person must be given staple food of the locality such as wheat or rice to the measure a half a Saa’ (approx. 1.5kg). It is also encouraged to give a condiment of meat and sauce. If this cannot be afforded, nothing is obligated.
  2. Temporary illness: A menstruating woman, a woman suffering from post-natal bleeding, a breastfeeding woman all fall under this category. They must make up the missed fasts at a later date according to the number of days missed.

Permitted acts during the Fast:

It is permitted for a fasting person to swallow saliva, taste a minute amount of food due to a necessity, take a shower, use the Miswaak, brush the teeth with toothpaste, use perfume and any other action which is not an invalidator. A person can rinse the mouth with water but this should not be done excessively.

Acts which invalidate the Fast:

  1. Eating and drinking intentionally: If a person eats or drinks forgetfully, he should continue fasting.
  2. Sexual intercourse: If a person has intercourse during his fast in a day of Ramadhan, then upon him is the major expiation:
    a. Freeing a slave.
    b. If unable to do so, then fasting two months consecutively
    c. If unable to do so, then feeding sixty poor people.
  3. Discharge of semen: Due to touching, kissing, hugging or any other action out of desire.
  4. Anything similar to eating or drinking: Such as taking a nutritional injection. As for injections that have no nutritional value, they do not invalidate one’s fast.
  5. Bleeding due to Cupping: A small amount of bleeding due to blood-analysis or the like, does not invalidate a person’s fast.
  6. Vomiting intentionally.
  7. Menstruation and post-natal bleeding

Impermissible acts during the Fast:

  1. Swallowing phlegm excessively.
  2. A young person kissing their respective partners as it may lead to other actions.
  3. False statements and other impermissible actions such as lying and backbiting.
  4. Ill-mannered behaviour and a lack of tolerance towards other people.
  5. Fasting two days consecutively without breaking the fast in between (except during the month of Ramadhan).