فضائل ماه مبارک رمضان – شب نهم

دریافت فایل صوتی

Ahkam of Fasting
In the discussions on the Merits and virtues of the Holy of month of Ramazan, today we will discuss on the important topic of the Ahkam (rules) related to fasting. We will discuss these rulings in the light of the fatwa (edicts) of our respected and revered Maraje (may Allah protect them and grant them a long life). In this way we will be able to keep our fasts as per Quran & Ahadees from which these Maraje have deduced the fatwas. Thus, our fast will be proper and acceptable to Allah.
In the outset I would like to emphasise that each one of us should refer to the Tauzhee-ul-Masail of the Marja whose Taqleed we are doing. And we should read the chapter of the Akham of Fasting carefully. Revising the Ahkam of fasting every year is very essential.

“Keeping a fast” means to abstain from 8 things during the period between Azan Subh till Azan Maghrib. Some of those 8 things are “mubah” and not “haram”. Yet, due to the order of Allah, one cannot perform them in the period of fasting. If one performs those actions – which were originally “mubah” but in the duration of fasting, they are haram, then as per various Maraje, the fast will become invalid (batil). Thus, these 8 things are called “Mubtelat Roza”.

📌 (1) Eating & Drinking. Hence, anyone who eats – intentionally – during the duration of fasting, then his fast his batil. Even if the quantity is small. However, if he eats (or drinks) by mistake or forgetfulness – as it generally happens in the first couple of days of Mahe Ramazan, then the fast does not become invalid.
Weakness of the body or feeling thirsty is not an excuse for breaking the fast. Only and only if the fasting causes so much weakness that a person is unable to bear it and it is beyond his capacity (or he feels similar kind of unbearable thirst) is he permitted to break the fast. A person should learn to bear and withstand the difficulties of fasting and complete the fast and not break it. One is permitted to swallow the phlegm (or mucus) that arises in the chest as long, as it has not come into the mouth.

📌 (2) Making dust reach the throat intentionally: This includes the dust that may arise while sweeping the floor, or at some construction site where cement/gravel etc is being unloaded and the dust that arises over there, or the flour particles in a bakery or the smoke of cigarette or cigar. Hence, if the dust is impure, enters through the throat and it is made to enter intentionally, then the fast becomes invalid. If these conditions are not involved, then generally the fast is valid and correct.

📌 (3) To ascribe – intentionally – false things to Allah, His Messenger (s.a.w.a) and Imams (a.s).
So if a person quotes a hadees that he had heard somewhere – without knowing its reference or authenticity, then it will not nullify the fast. Although it is better to avoid such a thing while fasting. But if a person intentionally ascribes a false thing to Allah, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) of Imams (a.s) then his fast is invalid. But we should be careful and thorough in narrating tafaseer and ahadees during fasting.
📌 (4) Immersing – intentionally – the entire head in water.
If part of the head goes in water, then there is no problem. If water is poured on the head (like in a shower) then too no problem. According to some Maraje, immersing the head in water does not make the fast batil. But majority have given fatwa that the roza becomes batil. Thus, while fasting, Ghusl Iremasi is not permitted. Rather, only Ghusl Tarteebi is permitted so that the fast remains intact.

📌 (5) Vomiting intentionally.
If a person tries to vomit intentionally because he is feeling uneasy and he feels that by vomiting he feel better, then his fast will become invalid. Even if a person is ill and vomits intentionally to feel better, then too his fast his invalid and he should pay the kafarrah for it.

📌 (6) Becoming Mujnib intentionally.
If a person while fasting intentionally does a thing due to which Ghusl Janabat becomes wajib on him, then his fast is invalid. It does not matter whether he became mujnib through halal means or haram means.

📌 (7) Remaining in the state of Janabat till the time of Azan Subh.
If a person intentionally delays taking the Ghusl Janabat (despite having the time) till Azan Subh, then his fast his batil. Same is true for women who need to take the Ghusl of Hayz etc. However, if a person goes to sleep and he gets up just in time of Azan Subh, then he must do tayammum. And if gets up after Azan Subh or till the time of Zohr, he can do Ghusl at that time and his fast will be valid.

📌 (8) Travelling.
If a person travels before zuhr – such that his further namaz will be Qasr – then his roza will become batil. You should refer to Tauzhee to better understand the fatwas of travelling. But if a person travel after Zuhr, then his fast will be valid and he should complete that fast. And when he reaches his destination and intends to stay for less than 10 days, then he should not keep fast over there. But if he plans to stay for more than 10 days, then he should fast all the days that he Is there.

📝 Note
1 If a person – due to old age or illness or pregnancy or breast feeding of child or any other valid reason is unable to keep the fast in Mahe Ramazan, then he/she should try to keep its Qaza anytime during the year. But if the illness etc persists and even till the next Ramazan a person is unable to keep the Qaza, then he/she should give “fidya” for every fast that was Qaza. Fidya is 750g of grains for every fast that was missed.

2 If a person intentionally breaks his fast by any of the above 8 factors (except travelling) then one of the three kafarrah is wajib upon him. You can refer to the Tauzhee for the kafarrah. But if a person breaks his fast intentionally through some haram means then all three kafarrah are applicable upon him.

These are the 8 factors that invalidate the fasts which we have very briefly mentioned. It is necessary that you refer to the Tauzhee Masail of your Marja and get the detailed information in these matters.

O Allah! For the sake of Imam Zamana (a.s), destine his Faraj. Grant us the Taufeeq to learn the Ahkam of fasting and help us in keeping a correct and perfect fast in the light of these Ahkam.