This excerpt is taken from the book of Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani رحمه الله Ahkam wa Masail Ramadan.
Permissible Acts of Fasting :.
These are the matters that are permissible to perform while fasting, and doing them does not invalidate the fast:
➊ Using Miswak :.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لولا أن أشق على أمتي لأمرتهم بالسواك عند كل وضوء
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Using Fresh and Dry Miswak for the Fasting Person
"If it were not for the difficulty it would cause my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use Miswak with every Wudu."
Imam Bukhari رحمه الله, while deriving a ruling from this, states: In this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not specify fasting individuals from others.
➋ Taking a Bath :.
عن عائشة كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يدركه الفجر فى رمضان من غير حلم فيغتسل ويصوم
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Hadith No. (1930), Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Validity of Fasting for One Who is in a State of Janabah at Dawn (1109)
"Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها narrates that the Prophet ﷺ would find himself in a state of Janabah due to intimacy at dawn during Ramadan, then he would take a bath and observe the fast."
➌ Kissing one's wife if one can maintain self-control:
عن عائشة قالت كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبل ويباشر وهو صائم وكان أملككم لإربه
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Intimacy for the Fasting Person, Hadith (1937)
"Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنها states that the Prophet ﷺ would kiss and engage in intimacy (touhcing body, no the actual intimacy act) while he was fasting, and he ﷺ was the most capable of controlling his desires among you all."
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت إن كان رسول الله ليقبل بعض أزواجه وهو صائم
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Kissing for the Fasting Person, Hadith (1928), Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Clarifying that Kissing is Not Prohibited in Fasting (1106)
"Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنها states that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would kiss some of his wives even while they were fasting."
➍ Eating or drinking forgetfully:
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال إذا نسي فأكل وشرب فليتم صومه فإنما أطعمه الله وسقاه
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Eating or Drinking Forgetfully, Hadith (1933), Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Eating and Drinking by One Who Forgets (1155)
"Sayyidina Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said that if someone eats or drinks forgetfully, he should complete his fast."
➎ Performing Ghusl after Suhoor:
أن عائشة و أم سلمة رضي الله عنهما أخبرتاه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يدركه الفجر وهو جنب من أهله ثم يغتسل ويصوم
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Fasting Person Waking Up in a State of Janabah, Hadith (1945/1946); Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Validity of Fasting for One Who Wakes Up at Dawn in a State of Janabah (1109)
"Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنها and Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها report that the Prophet ﷺ would find himself in a state of Janabah at dawn while with his family, then he would perform Ghusl and he would be fasting."
➏ Cupping, That is, Drawing Blood from the Body as a Treatment:.
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم احتجم وهو محرم واحتجم وهو صائم
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Cupping and Vomiting for the Fasting Person, Hadith (1938)
"Sayyidina Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما states that the Prophet ﷺ had cupping done while in the state of Ihram and fasting."
➐ Vomiting:.
عن عمر بن الحكم بن ثوبان سمع أبا هريرة رضى الله عنه إذا قاء لا يفطر إنما يخرج ولا يولج
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Cupping and Vomiting for the Fasting Person, p. 383, Dar al-Salam Edition
"Umar ibn Hukm ibn Thuban رحمه الله heard from Sayyidina Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that when someone vomits, the fast is not broken because it is something that comes out, not something that goes in."
➑ Combing and Applying Oil:.
➒ Applying Kohl:.
الم يرانس والحسن وإبراهيم بالكحل للصائم بأسا
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Bath of the Fasting Person, p. 380)
"Sayedna Anas رضي الله عنه reported that Hasan and Ibrahim said it is permissible for a fasting person to apply kohl."
➓ Placing a Wet Cloth on the Head :.
وبل ابن عمر على ثوبا فالقاه عليه وهو صائم
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Bath of the Fasting Person, p. 380)
"Sayedna Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما placed a wet cloth on his body while he was fasting."
⓫ Tasting Salt or Other Ingredients from a Pot :.
قال ابن عباس لا بأس أن يتطعم القدر أو الشيء
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Bath of the Fasting Person, p. 380)
"Sayedna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما stated that there is no harm in tasting food or any item."
⓬ The Entry of a Fly into the Throat :.
قال الحسن إن دخل حلقه الذباب فلا شيء عليه
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Fasting Person if He Eats or Drinks Forgetfully, p. 381)
"Hassan رحمه الله said that if a fly enters someone's throat, it does not break his fast."
➊ Lying and Bad Deeds :.
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من لم يدع قول الزور والعمل به فليس لله حاجة فى أن يدع طعامه وشرابه
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Those Who Do Not Abandon False Speech and Acting Upon It (1903)
"Sayyidina Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that if a person does not abandon false speech and acting upon it while fasting, then Allah has no need for him to abandon his food and drink."
➋ Excessive Sniffing Water into the Nose:
عن لقيط بن صبرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالغ فى الاستنشاق إلا أن تكون صائما
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Fasting, Chapter on The Fasting Person Pouring Water on Himself Due to Thirst (2366), Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Book of Fasting, Chapter on What Has Been Reported Regarding the Dislike of Excessive Sniffing for the Fasting Person (788), Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book of Purification, Chapter on Excessive Sniffing (87)
"Sayyidina Luqayt bin Sabrah رضي الله عنه states that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Exaggerate in sniffing water into the nose, but do not do so excessively while fasting.'"
➌ Engaging in Provocative Speech and Noise:
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه يقول قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وإذا كان يوم صوم أحدكم فلا يرفث ولا يصخب فإن سابه أحد أو قاتله فليقل إني امرؤ صائم
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter: Should one say "I am fasting" if insulted (1904), Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter: Guarding the tongue of the fasting person (1151)
“Sayyidina Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: When one is fasting, he should not engage in foul language or loud disputes. If someone insults him or tries to fight him, he should respond only by saying: I am a fasting person.”
➍ Embracing one's wife:.
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه أن رجلا سأل النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم عن المباشرة للصائم فرخص له وأتاه آخر فسأله فنهاه فإذا الذى رخص له شيخ وإذا الذى نهاه شاب
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Fasting, Chapter: Dislike for the young man (2387)
“Sayyidina Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ about embracing while fasting. The Prophet ﷺ granted him permission. Then another man came and asked, and the Prophet ﷺ did not grant him permission. The one who was granted permission was old, while the one who was not granted permission was young.”
Things that invalidate the fast:.
The matters that break the fast:
➊ Deliberately vomiting:.
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من ذرعه القيء وهو صائم فليس عليه قضاء ومن استقاء عمدا فليقض
Reference: Abu Dawood, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the One Who Vomits Intentionally (2380), Tirmidhi, Book of Fasting, Chapter on What Has Been Narrated About One Who Vomits Intentionally (720), Ibn Majah, Book of Fasting, Chapter on What Has Been Narrated About Vomiting While Fasting (1676)
"Sayedna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'If a person is overcome by vomiting and he vomits while he is fasting, then there is no expiation upon him, and whoever vomits intentionally must make up for the fast.'"
➋ Eating and Drinking Intentionally :.
Allah the Exalted says:
وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ
Reference: Al-Baqarah: 187
"You may eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread, then complete the fast until the night."
➌ Engaging in Intercourse :.
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها تقول أن رجلا أتى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال إنه احترق قال ما لك؟ قال أصبت أهلي فى رمضان فأتي النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بمكتل يدعى العرق فقال أين المحترق؟ قال أنا قال تصدق بهذا
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Intercourse during Ramadan (7935), Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Prohibition of Intercourse during the Day in Ramadan (1112)
"Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنها narrates that a man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, 'I have been burned in Hell.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked, 'What happened?' He replied, 'During Ramadan, while I was fasting, I had intercourse with my wife.' Shortly thereafter, a bag of dates, known as 'Arq', was brought to you ﷺ, and you ﷺ said, 'Where is the one who has been burned in Hell?' He said, 'I am here!' Then you ﷺ said, 'Take this and give it as charity.'"
➍ Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding :.
Saidna Abu Sa'id Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Give charity to the group of women, for I have seen that you are the majority in Hell." They said: "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Why is that?" He ﷺ replied: "You frequently curse and are ungrateful to your husbands, and despite being deficient in intellect and religion, I have not seen anyone who can drive a wise and experienced man to madness more than you." The women said: "What deficiency do we have in our religion and intellect?" He ﷺ said: "Is it not true that the testimony of a woman is half that of a man?" They said: "Yes, indeed." He ﷺ said: "This is the deficiency in her intellect." Then he ﷺ said: "Is it not the case that when she menstruates, she neither prays nor fasts?" They said: "Yes, indeed." He ﷺ said: "This is the deficiency in her religion."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on the Abandonment of Fasting by the Menstruating Woman 304)
Expiation for Fasting:
Saidna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that we were in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ when a man came and said: O Messenger of Allah! I have destroyed myself. The Prophet ﷺ asked: What happened? He said: I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked: Do you have a slave that you can free? He said: No. Then the Prophet ﷺ asked: Can you fast for two consecutive months? He said: No. The Prophet ﷺ asked: Do you have the ability to feed sixty poor people? He said: No. Then the Prophet ﷺ paused for a moment, and while we were still in that state, a large bag was presented to the Prophet ﷺ, which was called 'Iraq', and it contained dates. The Prophet ﷺ asked: Where is the questioner? He said: Here I am. The Prophet ﷺ said: Take it and give it as charity. He said: O Messenger of Allah! Should I give it as charity to someone who is more in need than myself? Upon this, the Prophet ﷺ laughed so much that his front teeth could be seen. Then he ﷺ said: Well, go and feed it to your family.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter: If One Engages in Intercourse During Ramadan and Has Nothing 1936)
Exemptions from Fasting :.
That is, matters that allow one to break the fast:
➊ Illness and Travel :.
فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah: 184
"And whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days."
➋ Pregnancy and Nursing :.
Sayyidina Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه, who belonged to the tribe of Banu Abdullah ibn Ka'b, narrates: The army of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ attacked us, so I went to the service of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He ﷺ was having his midday meal. He said to me: "Come closer and eat." I said, "I am fasting." He ﷺ replied: "Come closer; I will inform you about fasting. Indeed, Allah has excused the traveler from half of the prayer and the pregnant and nursing women from fasting." By Allah! He ﷺ mentioned both or one of them. I regret that I did not eat from the food of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ!
Reference: (Tirmidhi, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the concession for breaking the fast for the pregnant and nursing women, Hadith 715)
➌ The Elderly Sheikh, Who Cannot Fast Due to Weakness:
وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَأَنْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Reference: Al-Baqarah: 184
And for those who are ill or on a journey, a compensation (fidya) of feeding a poor person. But whoever volunteers excess — it is better for him. And to fast is best for you, if you only knew.
Said Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما states that this verse refers to the concession for the elderly and the sick who have lost hope of recovery.
Reference: (Dar Qutni 2/ 405, Muntakhab Ibn Jarud 281, Sharh al-Sunnah, Chapter on the concession for fasting for the pregnant and nursing women 2/ 316 317)
