Online Koran: January 2012

Tuesday 31 January 2012

It is better for pregnant and breastfeeding women not to fast if it is too hard for them to fast

Is it better for a pregnant woman not to fast or is it better for her to fast and put up with the hardship?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Whoever studies the rulings on fasting will find that Allaah has prescribed it as something to be done in an easy manner, and that taking an easy attitude towards it is something that is beloved to Allaah. Hence Allaah says in the verses on fasting (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you”

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

If the hardship of fasting reaches such a level that there is the fear of harm, then it is haraam to fast in that case. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said concerning a traveller who fasted even though it was so difficult: “It is not righteousness to fast when travelling.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1946; Muslim, 1115.

And he said when some of the Sahaabah fasted on a journey although it was very difficult: “Those are the disobedient ones, those are the disobedient ones.” Narrated by Muslim, 1114.

Al-Nawawi said:

This is understood to refer to those who were harmed by fasting. End quote.

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was never given the choice between two things but he would choose the easier of the two unless it was a sin; if it was a sin, he would keep the farthest away from it of all people.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3560; Muslim, 2327.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

This indicates that it is mustahabb to choose the easier option so long as it is not haraam or makrooh. End quote.

Ahmad (5832) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah loves to see His concessions accepted as He hates to be disobeyed.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 564.

This evidence indicates that the easier an act of worship is on a person, the closer it is to the aims of sharee’ah.

Secondly:

The scholars stated that it is better for a sick person for whom fasting is difficult not to fast. Al-Qurtubi (2/276) said: It is mustahabb for him not to fast and no one fasts (in such a case) but one who is ignorant. End quote.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (4/404): Fasting is makrooh for a sick person for whom fasting is difficult.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (6/356):

Thus we can see the mistake of some of those who try hard despite being sick, for whom fasting is difficult or may harm them, but they refuse to break their fast. We say: They are erring by not accepting the kindness of Allaah and the concession He has granted, and by harming themselves. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And do not kill yourselves”

[al-Nisa’ 4:29]

end quote.

He agrees with the opinion of Ibn Hazm about intimacy. Is it permissible for his wife to engage in foreplay with him when he is fasting?

If a husband follows the opinion of the Zaahiris (literalists), Ibn Hazm and al-Albaani, which says that emission of semen when fasting without having intercourse does not invalidate the fast, is it permissible for his wife to engage in foreplay with her husband during the day in Ramadaan, even if that results in emission of madhiy (prostatic fluid) or maniy (semen) from him?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

The ruling on emission of madhiy is different from the ruling on emission of maniy. The most correct scholarly view is that emission of madhiy does not invalidate the fast, whether it is from a man or a woman. The scholars' opinions on this issue have been mentioned in the answer to question no. 49752.

Secondly:

It should be noted that it is not permissible for anyone to adopt the opinion of any scholar on the basis of convenience, or because this opinion suits his whims and desires. When there is a difference of scholarly opinion, what we must do is that which Allaah has enjoined in the verse where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination”

[al-Nisa’ 4:59]

It is not permissible for anyone to say: I will follow the opinion of such and such a scholar, and thus go against a hadeeth which is proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Hence Imam al-Shaafa’i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The scholars are unanimously agreed that if a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is proven, it is not permissible to forsake it for the opinion of anyone. End quote. Madaarij al-Saalikeen (2/335).

Once the ruling is proven with saheeh evidence, no one’s opinion counts, no matter who he is.

The view that masturbation or intimacy with one's wife to the point of ejaculation are among the things that invalidate the fast is the view of the majority of scholars, including the four imams, Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and Ahmad. They quoted as evidence the fact that it is satisfaction of desire, and that is forbidden to the person who is fasting, because Allaah says, according to the hadeeth qudsi about the fasting person: “He gives up his food, his drink and his desire for My sake.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1894).

This has been explained in detail in the answer to questions no. 71213 and 65698.

We do not deny that there is a difference of opinion on this issue. Ibn Hazm and Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on them) both thought that emission of semen as the result of intimacy with one's wife does not invalidate the fast. If someone adopts this opinion on the basis of knowledge and follows it on the basis of evidence, not on the basis of his whims and desires, then there is no sin on him for that, because a person is only responsible within the framework of his knowledge, but that is subject to the condition that he only believes that on the basis of what evidence and scholarly opinions he has available to him, and is not simply looking for a concession and the easiest opinion.

It is not permissible for a Muslim to follow the mistakes of the scholars; if he does that, all evil will be combined in him. Hence the scholars said: Whoever follows a matter concerning which the scholars differed and follows the easiest opinion is a heretic, or almost a heretic. End quote. See also the answer to question no. 22652.

What we advise the questioner to do is to be content with that which the scholars have agreed is permissible, which is intimacy in the form of touching or kissing, without ejaculating, so as to protect his fast and fulfil his duty, and for fear of falling into that which is haraam and invalidates the fast according to consensus, namely intercourse.

And Allaah knows best.

Is his fasting invalidated if he uncovers his ‘awrah and others see it?

If one of my friends sees me naked or if I uncover my ‘awrah in front of him whilst fasting, does that invalidate my fast?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Showing the ‘awrah in front of others for whom it is not permissible to see it is haraam. It is not permissible for anyone to do that, whether in Ramadaan or at any other time. It is haraam to uncover it and it is haraam to look at it.

It was narrated from Bahz ibn Hakeem from his father that his grandfather [Mu’aawiyah ibn Haydah al-Qushayri] (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I said: O Messenger of Allaah, with regard to our ‘awrah, what may we uncover of it and what must we conceal? He said: “Cover your ‘awrah except from your wife and those whom your right hand possesses (i.e., concubines).” I said, O Messenger of Allaah, what if a man is with another man? He said, “If you can make sure that no one sees it, then do not let anyone see it.” I said, O Messenger of Allaah, what if one of us is alone? He said, “Allaah is more deserving that you should feel shy before Him than people.” Narrated and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi (2769); narrated by Ibn Maajah (1920); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No man should look at the ‘awrah of another man, and no woman should look at the ‘awrah of another woman.” Narrated by Muslim, 338.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This shows that it is haraam for a man to look at the ‘awrah of another man and for a woman to look at the ‘awrah of another woman, and there is no difference of opinion concerning that. End quote.

Sharh Muslim, 4/30

But if the issue is showing the ‘awrah unintentionally, then there is no sin on you, and the other person has to avert his gaze and not look at it.

Fasting is not invalidated in either case – whether it is done deliberately or by mistake; in the answer to question no. 38023 we have explained the things that invalidate the fast.

In the answer to question no. 37658 we have explained the effect that sin has on the fast, and that it reduces the reward, and may erase it altogether.

And Allaah knows best.

If a fasting person travels during the day, he is allowed to break his fast

If I intended to fast from the night before, and I started fasting in the morning, then I decided to travel during the day, is it permissible for me to break my fast or do I have to complete it?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Yes, it is permissible for a fasting person to break his fast if he travels during the day. This is the view of Imam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him).

See al-Mughni, 4/345.

This is indicated by the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days”

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

Whoever sets out during the day is “on a journey” so he may break his fast and avail himself of the concession granted to travelers.

With regard to the Sunnah: Ahmad (26690) and Abu Dawood (2412) narrated that ‘Ubayd ibn Jabr said: I traveled with Abu Basrah al-Ghifaari, the companion of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), in a ship from al-Fustaat in Ramadaan. He set off then lunch was brought (according to a report narrated by Ahmad: when we sent off from Marsana he ordered that his food be brought). Then he said: ‘Come and eat.’ I said, ‘Can’t we still see the houses?’ Abu Basrah said: ‘Don’t you want to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?!’

Ibn al-Qayyim said in Tahdheeb al-Sunan:

This is evidence for those who say that it is permissible for the traveler to break his fast on the day on which he travels during the day. This is one of the two reports narrated from Imam Ahmad, and the view of ‘Amr ibn Shurahbeel, al-Shu’bi and Ishaaq. It was also narrated from Anas and it is the view of Dawood and Ibn al-Mundhir.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/212.

If a traveler sets out during the day, is it permissible for him to break his fast? There are two well-known scholarly views, both of which were narrated from Ahmad. The more likely to be correct says that that is permissible, as it is proven in al-Sunan that some of the Sahaabah used to break the fast if they set out during the day, and they said that this was the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). And it is proven in al-Saheeh that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) intended to fast on a journey then he called for water and broke his fast while the people were looking on.

See al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/217.

But he should not do that until he has started his journey and left his city. It is not permissible for him to break his fast while he is still in his city.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (6/218):

If he sets out during the day, he is allowed to break his fast, but is that subject to the condition that he leaves his village first, or if he has decided to travel can he break his fast (before departure)?

The answer is that two views have been narrated from the salaf. The correct view is that he should not break his fast until he has left his city or village, because he is not yet traveling, rather he has the intention of traveling. Hence it is not permissible for him to shorten his prayers until he has left his town, so by the same token it is not permissible for him to break his fast until he has left his town.

She did an operation during Ramadaan and bled for several days

During Ramadaan I had an operation on my reproductive organs which had nothing to do with a miscarriage or giving birth, and I bled for several days after the operation. The doctor told me that I could fast, so I fasted. What is the ruling on my fast?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

The blood that comes out of a woman may be menstruation or nifaas (postpartum bleeding), in which case her fasting is not valid, according to scholarly consensus, because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (1951) from Abu Sa’eed (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Is it not the case that when she menstruates, she does not pray or fast?”

Or it may be neither menstruation nor nifaas, such as the blood that comes out because of a haemorrhage in the uterus or because of surgery, etc. This does not mean that a woman cannot pray and fast, rather the woman is taahirah (pure) and may do what women who are pure do, except that she should do wudoo’ for each prayer after the time for it begins.

Ruling on eye drops for one who is fasting

If the bitter taste of eye drops enters the throat, does it break the fast? If you put the eye drops in during the day and then go to sleep, and do not know whether you swallowed it, what is the ruling?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars differed concerning eye drops and whether or not they break the fast.

The view favoured by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah and by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, is that they do not break the fast.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was of the view that kohl does not break the fast, not even if the taste of the kohl reaches the throat. He said, this is not called food or drink, and it is not like food or drink, and it does not have the same effect as food or drink. There is no saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which expressly indicates that kohl breaks the fast, and the basic principle is that it does not break the fast. An act of worship remains valid unless it is proven that it is invalidated. What he said is correct, even if a person can taste it in his throat. Based on the view favoured by Shaykh al-Islam, if a person puts drops in his eyes whilst fasting and tastes it in his throat, that does not break his fast.

Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/382.

Masturbating or engaging in intimacy with one’s wife to the point of ejaculation during the day in Ramadaan

If a man masturbates or kisses his wife until semen is emitted, but he does not have intercourse, is his fast invalidated by that? What does he have to do, and is there any expiation for that?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Masturbation is haraam, as has already been explained in the answer to question no. 329; in Ramadaan it is even more haraam.

Secondly:

Masturbation, and also being intimate with one's wife and kissing her until semen is emitted invalidates the fast, and the one who does that has to repent to Allaah for doing this haraam action, and he has to fast a day to make up for the day which he spoiled, but he does not have to offer expiation (kafaarah), because expiation is only required for having intercourse during the day in Ramadaan.

Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughni (4/363): If he masturbates with his hand, he has committed a haraam action, but his fast is not invalidated by that unless he ejaculates; if he ejaculates then his fast is invalidated. End quote.

He also said (4/361): If he kisses (his wife) and ejaculates, then he has broken his fast and there is no difference of scholarly opinion that we know of. End quote.

Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’ (6/349): If he kisses or engages in intimacy without having intercourse or touching the woman’s skin with his hand etc, then if he emits semen his fast is invalidated, otherwise it is not. Saahib al-Haawi and others narrated that there is scholarly consensus that the fast of one who kisses or touches his wife, without having intercourse, then ejaculates, is invalidated. End quote.

It says in Bidaayah al-Mujtahid (1/382): All of them – i.e., the imams – say that whoever kisses and ejaculates has broken his fast. End quote.

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said in al-Istidhkaar (3/296):

I do not know of any scholar who granted a concession with regard to kissing for the one who is fasting, unless he is confident that nothing will result from that; for the one who knows that it will result in something that will invalidate his fast, he must avoid that. End quote.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in Fataawa al-Siyaam (p. 237): It is not permissible for a man to engage in foreplay with his wife if he knows that he will ejaculate as a result of that, because some people are quick to ejaculate just by engaging in foreplay, or kissing a woman and so on. So we say to such a man: it is not permissible for you to engage in foreplay with your wife so long as you fear that you may ejaculate. End quote.

He also said in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (6/234-235):

If he seeks to expel semen by any means, whether by hand or by rubbing it on the ground and so on until he ejaculates, then his fast is invalidated by that. This is the view of the four imams (may Allaah have mercy on them), Maalik, al-Shaafa’i, Abu Haneefah and Ahmad.

The literalists (al-zaahiriyyah) rejected that and said: the fast is not invalidated by masturbation even if one ejaculates, because there is no evidence from the Qur’aan or Sunnah that the fast is invalidated thereby, and an act of worship cannot be ruled to be invalidated unless there is evidence from Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). But in my view – and Allaah knows best – we may understand that it does break the fast on the basis of the following two points:

1 – From the texts. In the saheeh hadeeth it states that Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says concerning the one who fasts: “He gives up his food, his drink and his desire for My sake,” and masturbation is a kind of desire, and emission of semen is a kind of desire. The evidence that semen may be described as desire is the words of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “In the intimacy of one of you there is charity.” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah, if one of us fulfils his desire, is there reward in that?” He said: “Do you not see that if he fulfils it in a haraam manner, he will bear a burden of sin? Similarly, if he fulfils it in a halaal manner, he will have reward.” And what is referred to here is semen.

2 – Based on analogy. We say that the Sunnah states that a person breaks his fast by making himself vomit if he vomits, and he breaks his fast by cupping if he is treated with cupping and blood comes out of him. Both of these weaken the body.

As for the emission of food, it is clear that this weakens the body, because the stomach remains empty and the person will quickly become hungry and thirsty.

With regard to the emission of blood, it also seems that it weakens the body, and the same results from emission of semen, which undoubtedly exhausts the body. Hence there is the command to do ghusl, which restores energy to the body, and this is by analogy with cupping and vomiting.

Based on this we say: if semen is emitted with desire, then it invalidates the fast, on the basis of the texts and analogy. End quote.

Based on these two points – the fact that it is fulfilment of desire and that it weakens the body, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) ruled that masturbation invalidates the fast. See Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/251.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Masturbation during the day in Ramadaan invalidates the fast if it is done deliberately and semen is emitted as a result. The person has to make up that fast as an obligation, and he has to repent to Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, because masturbation, which is what people call the ‘secret habit’, is not permissible whether one is fasting or otherwise. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 15/267

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas (10/256) said:

Masturbation during Ramadaan and at other times is haraam and it is not permissible to do it, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts)

6. Except from their wives or (the slaves) that their right hands possess, __for then, they are free from blame;

7. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors”

[al-Mu’minoon 23:5]

The one who does that during the day in Ramadaan when he is fasting has to repent to Allaah and make up the fast of the day when he did that, but he does not have to offer expiation (kafaarah), because expiation is required only in the case of intercourse. End quote.

And Allaah knows best.

Intercourse during Ramadaan

Is it permissible to have sex during Ramadan. Can we have sex in the night and take bath before doing the sahar

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Intercourse during the day in Ramadaan is haraam for men and women alike, who are obliged to fast during the day. Doing that is a sin for which expiation (kafaarah) must be offered. The kafaarah is to free a slave; if that is not possible then the person must fast for two consecutive months; whoever is not able to do that must feed sixty poor persons.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Whilst we were sitting with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), a man came to him and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, I am doomed!” He said, “What happened?” He said, “I had intercourse with my wife when I was fasting [in Ramadaan].” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Are you able to free a slave?” He said, “No.” He said, “Are you able to fast for two consecutive months?” He said, “No.” He said, “Can you feed sixty poor persons?” He said, “No.” Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) remained silent for a while, and whilst we were like that, a large vessel of dates was brought to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he said, “Where is the one who was asking?” He said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take these and give them in charity.” The man said, “Is there anyone more poor than me, O Messenger of Allaah? For there is no household between the two harrahs (lava fields – i.e., in Madeenah) that is poorer than my household.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) smiled until his eyeteeth could be seen, then he said, “Feed it to your family.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1834, 1835; Muslim, 1111)

Secondly:

With regard to intercourse during the night in Ramadaan, this is permitted and is not forbidden, and the time when it is permitted lasts until the onset of dawn. When dawn comes, intercourse becomes forbidden.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Sawm (the fasts). They are Libaas [i.e. body-cover, or screen, or Sakan (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with them] for you and you are the same for them. Allaah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allaah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall”

[al-Baqarah 2:187]

This verse clearly states that it is permissible to eat, drink and have intercourse during the nights of Ramadaan until dawn.

After having intercourse it is obligatory to do ghusl, then pray Fajr.

And Allaah knows best.

Swallowing bits of food that are left in the mouth during the day

When a person wakes up in the morning and he is fasting, and there are bits of food left from his sahoor in his mouth, what is the ruling if he swallows them?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Undoubtedly eating is one of the things that invalidate the fast. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)”

[al-Baqarah 2:187]

It is well known among the Muslims that fasting means refraining from eating, drinking and intercourse, and all other things that invalidate the fast.

Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/219

Eating means deliberately introducing any substance into the stomach via the mouth.

See: Haashiyat Ibn Qaasim ‘Ala al-Rawd al-Murbi’, 3/389

It is not conditional that this eating be something beneficial or that the amount be large, rather if a person swallows something that does not benefit him (such as a pearl) or he swallows a small amount of something, then he has broken his fast.

Swallowing bits of food that may be left between the teeth is regarded as eating, so it invalidates the fast.

This applies if the fasting person swallows it by choice, and is able to expel it but he swallows it deliberately. But if it has already reached his throat and he swallows it and cannot expel it, then there is no sin on him and his fast remains valid, because in all cases where a thing invalidates the fast, that is conditional upon the fasting person doing it by choice. If he does it by force or involuntarily, then his fast is valid and there is no sin on him.

We have explained that in the answer to question no. 22981.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni, 3/260:

If a person has food between his teeth, one of the following two scenarios must apply:

1 – It is a small amount that he cannot spit out, so he swallows it. This does not invalidate his fast, because it cannot be avoided. It is like saliva. Ibn al-Mundhir said: The scholars are unanimously agreed on that.

2 – It is a large amount and he can spit it out. If he spits it out there is no sin on him, but if he swallows it deliberately, his fast is invalidated according to the majority of scholars, because he has swallowed food that he could have spat out willingly when he is mindful of his fast. So this breaks the fast just as if he deliberately started eating. End quote.

To sum up the answer:

If he is able to expel it but he does not do so and he swallows it, then he has invalidated his fast. If he swallows it involuntarily, then his fast is valid and there is no sin on him.

And Allaah knows best.

Correspondence between the sexes and its effect on the fast

What is the ruling if I correspond with my female friend on the Net during Ramadaan, so long as I remain within the limits of respect, and she opens her webcam and I see her?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

One of the essential aims of Islamic sharee’ah is to protect lineages and honour. For that reason Allaah has forbidden zina (illicit sexual relationships) and has forbidden the means that may lead to that, such as a man being alone with a woman who is not his mahram, sinful looking, travelling without a mahram, a woman going out of her house wearing perfume and makeup, and clothed yet naked. Another of these means is a man talking with a woman and her speaking softly to him and tempting him and provoking his desire, making him fall into her trap, whether that is when they meet in the street or talk on the phone or correspond in writing etc.

Allaah forbade the wives of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) – who were pure women – to display themselves like that of the times of ignorance (Jaahiliyyah) or to speak in soft tones lest those in whose hearts was a disease be moved with desire, and He commanded them to speak in an honourable manner. Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32]

See question no. 10221

Conversations and correspondence between men and women on the internet are one of the means of fitnah (temptation) and evil. That is because these conversations could go too far, which in turn often leads to love and infatuation. Hence we must be strict about these matters and keep away from them, seeking the pleasure of Allaah and hoping to avoid His punishment.

How often have these conversations led people into evil, and made them fall in love and led some of them to something that is even worse than that. See question no.34841.

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen was asked: What is the ruling on correspondence between young men and women, knowing that this correspondence is free of any immoral content or love?

He replied:

It is not permissible for anyone to correspond with a woman who is not his mahram, because of the fitnah involved in that. The correspondent may think that there is no fitnah, but the Shaytaan will keep on at him until he makes him fall in love with her and her with him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered the one who hears of the Dajjaal to flee far away from him, and he said that a man may come to him as a believer but the Dajjaal will keep on at him until he leads him astray.

Correspondence of young men with young women involves a great deal of fitnah and danger, and it must be avoided, even if the questioner says that there is no love or desire involved. End quote.

Fataawa al-Mar’ah, compiled by Muhammad al-Musnad, p. 96.

Secondly:

The fasting person is enjoined to fear Allaah and to do what He has commanded, and to avoid what He has forbidden.

The purpose of fasting is not simply to refrain from eating and drinking, rather the purpose is to attain taqwa or piety – “that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious” [al-Baqarah 2:183] – and to discpilne oneself, and to give up bad deeds. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting is not just giving up food and drink, rather fasting is giving up idle and obscene speech.” Narrated by al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5376.

In the answer to question no. 50063 we have explained the effect that sin has on the fast, and that it may take away the reward altogether.

And Allaah knows best.Its the responsibility of every Moslem in learning quran and read tajweed and we also must teach our kids Quran and not only the Quran teaching we should let then begin to see the basic of Islam and why it was reviled you bet it was railed and truth teaching of holy Quran and with tajweed quran we read Quran we can understand better all the responses that are involved if we study koran from a qualified Quran tutor he will let you know verity heart of Islam and why koran was reviled for it we should gain the information of the Word of God with there translation and the context of when those verses were reviled and why and that is only potential when we carry on with not simply learning quran for beginners but gaining the information of Quran tafseer and one inquiry that we all needs to ask our self that why we all are here in the world to do good acts or to do bad humen action to promote correct or to promote incorrect and will we be answerable to any one after this life of not then the interrogation remains the identical that the reasons why we are here in the world but if yes then whom we have to reply is there any Maker All these reply exist when we go deep in to the Quran education do Quran reading and the so let us connect hands to full fill our job. We all must do quran memorization and listen to quran online when ever we have time to stay in touch

She is sick and blood comes in her throat – what should she do?

There is a woman who has a disease that causes the breakdown of blood cells. When she fasts, she feels the taste of blood in her throat. This does not happen all the time but it is most of the time. When she makes up missed fasts the same thing happens to her. What should she do when she is fasting? Does having the taste of blood in the throat invalidate the fast or is the fast invalidated if blood enters her stomach because she has no control over that?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The sick person who has a concession allowing him (or her) not to fast should realize that it is makrooh to fast if it is too difficult for him, and it is haraam if it will harm him. Allaah has granted him a concession allowing him not to fast, so it is not permissible for him to impose hardship upon himself, and it is not permissible for him to cause harm to himself.

Swallowing blood is one of the things that invalidate the fast, but if some blood enters a person’s throat involuntarily, without him intending that to happen, then there is no sin on him and he does not invalidate his fast thereby, but if he deliberately swallows it then his fast is invalidated thereby.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

If his mouth bleeds and he swallows it, then he has broken the fast, even if it is a small amount, because the mouth comes under same ruling as external things, and the basic principle is that the fast is broken by everything that comes from the outside. But saliva is exempted from that because it is not possible to avoid it. But everything else remains subject to this principle. If he spits it out from his mouth and his mouth remains impure or his mouth becomes impure with something from outside, and he swallows his saliva, if there is any part of the impurity with it then his fast is broken because of that, otherwise it is not. End quote.

Al-Mughni (3/36).

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

If there are ulcers on his gum or the miswak makes them bleed, it is not permissible to swallow the blood, and he has to spit it out. But if it enters his throat without him meaning it to, there is no sin on him. Similarly in the case of vomit, if it goes back into his throat without him meaning it to, then his fast is still valid. End quote.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (10/254).

Shaykh Muhammad al-Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Does a person invalidate his fast if he bleeds when he has a tooth pulled out?

He replied:

Bleeding when having a tooth pulled out does not affect the fasting person at all, but he must avoid swallowing the blood, because the blood is something external and extraordinary, and swallowing it breaks the fast, unlike swallowing saliva which does not break the fast. The fasting person who has a tooth pulled out must be careful to avoid letting the blood reach his stomach, because that breaks the fast. But if the blood enters his stomach accidentally, then it does not matter, because he did not do that deliberately. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (19/question no. 213).

The Shaykh (may Allaah have mercy on him) also said:

If a person has a nosebleed and some of the blood reaches his throat and some of it comes out, that does not break his fast, because that which reached his throat did so without him meaning it to, and that which came out does not affect him. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (19/question no. 328).

Conclusion:

It is mustahabb for her not to fast if fasting is too difficult for her, and it is obligatory for her not to fast if fasting will harm her. If she does not fast, then she has to make up the missed days if she is able to. If she is not able to make them up, then she has to offer the fidyah which is feeding one poor person for each day.

We ask Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, to decree reward for her for her patience, and to heal her sooner rather than later.

And Allaah knows best.

If he swallows bits of his skin, does that invalidate his fast?

If I eat a small bit of my skin, smaller than one-quarter of a fingernail, will that invalidate my fast?.

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible for a fasting person to allow any food, drink or medicine to enter his stomach. Eating means introducing any substance into the stomach by way of the mouth, even if it is harmful or not beneficial, such as pebbles, nails, skin and so on. This is the view of the four imams and no difference of opinion is known among them.

See: Haashiyat Ibn Qaasim ‘ala al-Rawd al-Murbi’ (3/389)

Al-Shiraazi al-Shaafa’i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

It makes no difference whether he eats something edible or inedible. If he swallows soil or a pebble or a coin, his fast is invalidated, because fasting means refraining from everything that reaches the stomach, but this person did not refrain. End quote.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) commented on this by saying:

Al-Shaafa’i and his companions (may Allaah have mercy on them) said: If a fasting person swallows things that are not usually eaten, such as coins, soil, pebbles, grass, metal, thread and so on, he has broken his fast and there is no dispute among us on this point. This is the view of Abu Haneefah, Maalik, Ahmad, Dawood and the majority of earlier and later scholars. End quote.

Al-Majmoo’ (6/340)

Based on this, swallowing this bit of skin is regarded as breaking the fast, but if a person swallows it unintentionally, then his fast is valid and there is no sin on him.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

If there are ulcers on his gums or they bleed when he uses the miswaak, it is not permissible to swallow the blood and he has to spit it out. But if it enters his stomach without him meaning it to or swallowing it deliberately, there is no sin on him. The same applies to vomit, if it goes back into his stomach without him meaning it to, then his fast is still valid. End quote.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/254.

And Allaah knows best.

Its the responsibility of every Moslem in learning quran and tajweed and we also have to teach our kids Quran and not only the Quran teaching we should let then start to see the basic of Islam and why it was reviled you bet it was railed and verity teaching of holy Quran and with tajweed quran we read Quran we can understand better all the responses that are asked if we study koran from a qualified Quran tutor he will let you know verity core of Islam and why koran was reviled for it we should gain the ability of the Holy Writ with there translation and the context of when those verses were reviled and why and that is only potential when we carry on with not simply learning quran for beginners but gaining the ability of Quran tafseer and one query that we all is needed to ask our self that why we all are here in the world to do good acts or to do bad humen activity to promote correct or to promote incorrect and will we be answerable to any one after this life of not then the interrogation remains the identical that the reasons why we are here in the world but if yes then whom we have to reply is there any Lord All these reply exist when we go deep in to the Quran education do Quran reading and the so let us unite hands to full fill our task. We all must do quran memorization and listen to quran online when ever we have time to stay in touch

Guidelines concerning things that break the fast

What about one who is grinding grain, and something flies into his mouth as a result of that whilst he is fasting?

Praise be to Allaah.

That does not spoil his fast, and his fast is valid, because when this happens it is not by their choice, and they did not mean for it to reach their stomachs. I would like to take this opportunity to explain that things which break a person’s fast – namely intercourse, eating, drinking, etc. – only do so if three conditions are met:

1 – that he knows (the ruling). If he does not know the ruling then it does not break his fast, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):

“And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend”

[al-Ahzaab 33:5]

“Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error”

[al-Baqarah 2:286]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “My ummah is forgiven for mistakes and forgetfulness and for what they are forced to do.” The one who is ignorant is making a mistake, and if he knew he would not have done that, so if he does something that breaks the fast out of ignorance, then he is not to blame and his fast is complete and is valid, whether he was ignorant concerning the ruling or the time.

A similar case is when a person does something that breaks the fast, thinking that it does not break the fast, such as one who has cupping done, thinking that cupping does not break the fast. We would say to him, your fast is valid and you do not have to do anything. And there are other things which happen to a person not by his choice; so there is no blame on him and that does not break his fast, for the reasons we have mentioned.

In conclusion, the things that break the fast do not break it unless three conditions are met:

1 – he should know the ruling

2 – he should not have forgotten that he is fasting

3 – he should be doing that by choice.

And Allaah knows best.

He had intercourse with his wife without ejaculating during the day in Ramadaan, because he was unaware that this is haraam, and he did not have a bath afterwards

I got married nine years ago. During the first year of marriage I used to engage in foreplay with my wife during the day in Ramadaan and I used to have intercourse without ejaculating. I was unaware that that is haraam, because I thought that if I did not ejaculate, it did not break the fast.
After the first year, I did not do that again. That was so that I could avoid doubtful things.
Since I got married until now, I have repeated what I did during the first year of engaging in foreplay with my wife, but that was during the night in Ramadaan and during the night and day at other times of the year, when I had intercourse without ejaculating, and I did not do ghusl because I thought that if I did not ejaculate, I did not need to do ghusl.
I hope that you will answer, noting that what happened was the result of ignorance on my part, and that you will tell me what my wife and I should do.

Praise be to Allaah.

This question includes two issues:

1 – Intercourse on the part of one who is fasting

2 – Rulings on one who has intercourse but does not do ghusl

Firstly:

If a person who is fasting has intercourse with his wife during the day in Ramadaan, one of the following two scenarios must apply:

The first scenario: he thinks that having intercourse without ejaculating is not haraam during the day in Ramadaan, so he has intercourse and he is ignorant or unaware of the ruling.

The second scenario: he knows that having intercourse (during the day in Ramadaan) is haraam but he does not know what the punishment is.

With regard to the first scenario, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The most correct view is the view of those who say that whoever does one of the things that break the fast or one of the things that are forbidden during ihraam or one of the things that invalidate the prayer and is unaware of it, then there is no sin on him, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error”

[al-Baqarah 2:286]

and Allaah has said: “I have done that.”

So if this man who had intercourse with his wife during the day in Ramadaan was unaware of the ruling, and he thought that the kind of intercourse that is haraam is the kind in which ejaculation occurs, then he does not have to do anything.

But in the second scenario, if he knew that intercourse (during the day in Ramadaan) is haraam, but he did not know that there is expiation (kafaarah) for that, then he has to offer the expiation, because there is a difference between ignorance of the ruling and ignorance of the punishment. Ignorance of the punishment is no excuse, but ignorance of the ruling is an excuse.

Hence the scholars said: If a person drinks an intoxicant thinking that it will not cause intoxication, or thinking that it is not haraam, then there is no sin on him. But if he knows that it will cause intoxication and that it is haraam, but he does not know that he is to be punished for that, then he should be punished and he is not excused from that. Based on this, we say to the questioner that so long as you did not know that intercourse without ejaculation was haraam, there is no sin on you or on your wife, if she was also ignorant of the ruling as you were.

Secondly:

The effect of this action on fasting and prayer.

With regard to fasting, janaabah (being in a state of impurity following sexual activity) does not have any effect on it, because the fasting of a person who is in a state of janaabah is valid. But not doing ghusl in order to pray poses a problem, because prayer is not valid without doing ghusl because the person remains in a state of janaabah. Most of the scholars are of the view that this person must make up all the prayers for which he did not do ghusl, but is it known that this man will have had intercourse and ejaculated, and then done ghusl.

But he may not know how often he did that. So we say to him that he should try to work it out and do his best to make up the prayers, to be on the safe side. But if you did not know anything about this and it did not cross your mind that simply having intercourse without ejaculating would mean that ghusl was essential, then we hope that you do not have to do anything, i.e., that you do not have to make up the prayers. But you do have to repent and seek forgiveness for your negligence in not asking about the matter.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, al-Liqa’ al-Shahri

See also the answer to question no. 9446online

Its the responsibility of every Moslem in learning quran and read tajweed and we also have to teach our kids Quran and not only the Quran teaching we should let then start to see the basic of Islam and why it was reviled you bet it was vituperated and verity teaching of holy Quran and with tajweed quran we read Quran we can understand better all the responses that are necessitated if we study koran from a qualified Quran tutor he will let you know verity heart of Islam and why koran was reviled for it we should gain the ability of the Holy Writ with there translation and the context of when those verses were reviled and why and that is only potential when we keep with not simply learning quran for beginners but gaining the information of Quran tafseer and one inquiry that we all is necessary to ask our self that why we all are here in the world to do good acts or to do bad humen activity to promote correct or to promote incorrect and will we be answerable to any one after this life of not then the enquiry remains the identical that the reasons why we are here in the world but if yes then whom we have to respond is there any God Almighty All these response exist when we go deep in to the Quran education do Quran reading and the so let us unite hands to full fill our task. We all must do quran memorization and listen to quran online when ever we have time to stay in touch

Ruling on the fast of one who thinks about sex then ejaculates

If a man was sitting and thinking (about sex), then he went to sleep and ejaculated, whilst he was fasting during the day in Ramadaan, does that invalidate his fast, and does he have to make it up?

Praise be to Allaah.

Whoever thinks about sex and ejaculates, or has a wet dream and ejaculates, that does not invalidate his fast, but he has to do ghusl from janaabah, because when Umm Sulaym asked him, “Does a woman have to do ghusl if she has a wet dream?” the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Yes, if she sees water.”

The same ruling applies to men, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Water is for water.”

With regard to his fast, it is valid, because a wet dream is not something that happens by choice. Similarly, thinking is something which is forgiven by Allaah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has forgiven my ummah for wrong thoughts that cross their minds, so long as they do not speak of them or act upon them.”

This is all kindness from Allaah.

He tasted the food and swallowed it by mistake

My wife asked me to help her make iftaar, and whilst I was helping her I checked the food for salt, forgetting that I was fasting. Did I break my fast by doing that? Because I was doing something that was not obligatory upon me according to sharee’ah or according to custom?

Praise be to Allaah.

Praise be to Allaah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah.

There is nothing wrong with a fasting person tasting the food if he needs to, if he does that by testing it with the tip of his tongue, then he spits it out without swallowing anything, whether the one who is fasting is a man or a woman.

But if the fasting person forgets and swallows it by mistake, there is no sin on him, and he should complete his fast. This is because of the general meaning of the evidence which indicates that according to sharee’ah, the person who forgets is excused. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks something, let him complete his fast, for it is Allaah Who has fed him and given him to drink.” (Agreed upon. Al-Bukhaari, 1399; Muslim 1155).

And Allaah knows best.

Does vaginal bleeding due to surgery mean that one cannot fast?

I gave birth two months ago but the bleeding of nifaas has not stopped until now. The radiographer found a piece of the placenta still inside the uterus, and I had an operation to remove it. This was after the first week of Ramadan had passed, but I did not fast until after the operation, even though the bleeding has not stopped. What should I do now? Is my fast valid? Can I have intercourse now, as the bleeding is very little since I did the operation?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The maximum length of nifaas (post-partum bleeding) is forty days, after which the woman is taahir (pure) and she may pray and fast and her husband may have intercourse with her, even if there is bleeding. This blood that comes after forty days is a haemorrhage, not nifaas.

This has been discussed with evidence in the answer to question no. 10488.

Based on that, your fasting after doing the operation is valid, even if there is bleeding.

You have to make up the first week of Ramadaan when you did not fast.

With regard to the prayers that you did not offer after the forty days (of nifaas) ended, you do not have to make them up, in sha Allaah.

See the answer to question no. 45648.

And Allaah knows best.

If bits of food go down his throat without him meaning them to, does that invalidate his fast?

I put in removable braces after eating sahoor, and I did not notice that there were bits of food on the braces after I had brushed my teeth, which led to some bits of food going down into my throat, and I spat out some other bits. Do I have to repeat that fast or what?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The Muslim who intends to fast should clean his teeth at night and remove any bits of food that may be stuck to them or caught in between them. He should also rinse his mouth out well when he does wudoo’, to remove any bits of food that may be stuck to his teeth.

If a person voluntarily swallows bits of food that are caught between his teeth when he is able to spit them out, then he invalidates his fast by doing that. But if he swallows them without meaning to, such as if they go into his throat with his saliva and he cannot stop that, then his fast is valid and he does not have to do anything else.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Our companions – i.e., the Shaafa’is – said: If there is some food left between his teeth, then he should remove it at night and clean his mouth. If he starts his day fasting and there is anything stuck between his teeth and he swallows it deliberately, then his fast is invalidated and there is no difference of opinion among us concerning that. This was also the view of Maalik, Abu Yoosuf and Ahmad.

Our evidence for ruling that his fast is invalidated is that he swallowed it when he was able to spit it out, and there was no need to do that, so he has invalidated his fast, just as if he had spat it out into his hand and then swallowed it.

But if it mixes with his saliva and he swallows it without meaning to, then there is a difference of opinion narrated by our companions from al-Shaafa’i. Some of them narrated that it breaks the fast, and some of them narrated that it does not break the fast. The correct view is that of the majority, which is that there were two situations in this case. When he said that it does not break the fast, he was referring to a situation where it cannot be distinguished and spat out. And when he said that it does break the fast, he was referring to a situation where the person was able to spit it out but did not do so, and swallowed it instead. End quote.

Al-Majmoo’ (6/317)

See also the answer to question no. 78438 for a useful quotation from Ibn Qudaamah, and the answer to question no. 22981 for useful guidelines on things that invalidate the fast.

And Allaah knows best.

He was told that having an injection breaks the fast so he broke his fast and made it up later on. What should he do?

Fate dictated that I should get pulmonary tuberculosis, and the treatment involved having a needle very day for a year, as well as other medications three times each day. The treatment coincided with the beginning of Ramadaan, but despite that I began to fast the holy month. After 15 days of fasting, I went to take the injection as usual at the health centre, and there the nurse asked me if I was fasting, and I said yes. His response what that I should stop fasting from that day onwards, so following his instructions I stopped fasting for the rest of Ramadan, and after that I made up the days that I did not fast. After I found out that injections do not invalidate the fast, I regretted it and felt that I had committed a great sin, even though my intention was clearly to fast the whole month despite my sickness. I blame that nurse who told me not to fast for the rest of the month. I hope that you can advise me about the Islamic ruling concerning this.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Injections that are given to sick people are of two types:

1- Those which contain nourishment. These cause the fast to be invalidated if one uses them deliberately.

2- Those which do not contain nourishment. These do not affect the fast, whether they are given via a vein (intravenous) or a muscle (intramuscular), according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, because they are neither food not drink, nor do they take the place of food or drink.

See question no. 49706 and 65632. in which we quote some of the fatwas of the scholars concerning this issue.

Perhaps this nurse was following the view of those who say that injections break the fast if they reach the stomach.

Whatever the case, the fact that you broke the fast based on his instructions, then made up the fasts that you missed, means that you have done what was required of you, and you do not have to do anything else.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about a woman who dyed her hair then her sister told her that that invalidates the fast, so she broke her fast then made it up. He replied: The answer to this question involves two things, the first of which is this woman who issued a fatwa without knowledge, because if a woman who is fasting dyes her hair, it does not invalidate the fast. The second issue has to do with this woman who received information that was not based on proper knowledge and broke her fast then made it up based on that fatwa. She does not have to do anything now, because she has done what was required of her. End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (19/226).

Secondly:

In your question you say: “Fate dictated that…” This is a common mistake, because fate has no will. The correct thing to say is: Allaah willed, or Allaah decreed.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about saying “Circumstances dictated that such and such should happen” or “fate willed that such and such should happen.”

He replied: Saying “fate decreed” or “circumstances decreed” is wrong, because circumstances refers to time, and time has no will. Similarly fate has no will either. Rather the One Who decrees is Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted. If a person says “The will of Allaah dictated that such and such should happen,” there is nothing wrong with that, because will cannot be attributed to fate. End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (3/113).

We ask Allaah to heal you and give you good health, and to increase you in understanding and knowledge.

And Allaah knows best.

Online Koran

Tuesday 31 January 2012

It is better for pregnant and breastfeeding women not to fast if it is too hard for them to fast

He agrees with the opinion of Ibn Hazm about intimacy. Is it permissible for his wife to engage in foreplay with him when he is fasting?

Is his fasting invalidated if he uncovers his ‘awrah and others see it?

If a fasting person travels during the day, he is allowed to break his fast

She did an operation during Ramadaan and bled for several days

Ruling on eye drops for one who is fasting

Masturbating or engaging in intimacy with one’s wife to the point of ejaculation during the day in Ramadaan

Intercourse during Ramadaan

Swallowing bits of food that are left in the mouth during the day

Correspondence between the sexes and its effect on the fast

She is sick and blood comes in her throat – what should she do?

If he swallows bits of his skin, does that invalidate his fast?

Guidelines concerning things that break the fast

He had intercourse with his wife without ejaculating during the day in Ramadaan, because he was unaware that this is haraam, and he did not have a bath afterwards

Ruling on the fast of one who thinks about sex then ejaculates

He tasted the food and swallowed it by mistake

Does vaginal bleeding due to surgery mean that one cannot fast?

If bits of food go down his throat without him meaning them to, does that invalidate his fast?

He was told that having an injection breaks the fast so he broke his fast and made it up later on. What should he do?

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