Ramadan: Some miscellaneous issues

Gradually and with gratitude to Allah (SWT), we are approaching the middle course of this year’s Ramadan fast. Soon, we shall be talking of I’tikaf, the spiritual seclusion of worshippers in a mosque during Ramadan, which traditionally marks the beginning of the end of this sacred month. Although various issues on Ramadan have been discussed in the past on this page, it is yet relevant that some frequently asked questions are brought in to focus; to educate some readers and as a reminder to others.
Although Ramadan fast is obligatory on all Muslims, male and female who have come of age; there are circumstances under which a Muslim is temporarily exempted from observing the Ramadan fast. While some of those who enjoy this provisional exemption are required to make up by fasting for the number of days they missed in Ramadan fast at a later time, others are allowed to pay back in fidyah by feeding indigent an person in lieu of each Ramadan fast that was missed; a day for a day.
An old person who is too weak to endure the physical exhaustion that comes along with fasting is permitted to break the Ramadan fast and feed an indigent personinlieu of each day that was missed. A nursing woman who, because of breastfeeding fears emaciation or other forms of physical weakness is also permitted to break the Ramadan fast and give fidyah in lieu of it. Similarly, a pregnant woman who, for medical reasons, has been advised by a medical doctor to break the Ramadan fast is permitted to do so. She is required to give fidyah for the number of days she missed. Although the MalikiSchool of Islamic Law recommends restitution for the Ramadan fast missed by an expectant mother, Ibn Abbas (RA) in his interpretation of relevant verses of the Qur’an and traditions of the Prophet (SAW) recommends fidyah.
Fidyah technically means ransom or redemption from the liability of omission of certain religious duties such as Ramadan fast by giving a material donation in lieu of the ritual or act of worship. The recommended quantity of fidyah expected to be offered to an indigent person for a day’s fast that was missed is one measure of grains using the Muddu n-Nabiyy (prophetic measure). Poverty cannot be an excuse for inability to givefidyah. It remains a debt to be settled by a person who could not observe Ramadan fast until he or she is able to off-set it.
Persons suffering from terminal illnesses or whose sickness is incurable and thus can only be managed are also allowed to break their Ramadan fast and then give fidyah. Labourers who engage in very hard jobs such as mining and hard-labour prisoners also belong to this category of those who may break the Ramadan fast and give fidyah in lieu of the days it was not observed.
Muslims who enjoy provisional exemption from Ramadan fast but are requiredto pay back by Qada’a (restitution) and not fidyah include women inmenstruation or nifas (confinement). A Muslim on a journey may also break his fast if observing the fast will cause himto experience some difficulties during the trip. A sick person who is not physically sound enough to observe the Ramadan fast may also break the fast. For this group of persons who enjoy temporary exemption from Ramadan fast, they are required to fast, after the month of Ramadan, for the equal number of days they missed while menstruating or travelling or sick. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:184 ‘(fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent….”
Some of the things that do not vitiate Ramadan fast if they occur in the afternoon include involuntary vomiting and unintentional eating or drinking. If a Muslim who, out of forgetfulness eats food or drinks water when he should not in the daytime of Ramadan shall neither do Kaffarah (expiation through consecutive 60 days of fasting) nor Qada’a (restitution). His fasting for that day remains valid if he stopped eating or drinking as soon as he remembered he was fasting. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reports from the Prophet (SAW) that, ‘If anyone of you forgets (during Ramadan fast) and then eats or drinks, let him complete his fast; verily, it is Allah (SWT) that gave him to eat or drink’.
The use of chewing stick or rinsing the mouth with water during the daytime of Ramadan does not vitiate fast. Taking bath, too, in an attempt to reduce the heat suffered under the scotching sun does not also vitiate Ramadan fast. The use of perfume or other body lotions does not vitiate the fast provided such will not induce nausea that could jeopardize the fast. It is also permitted for a Muslim to swim in the river during the daytime of Ramadan. Of course, fishermen whose pre-occupation of catching fishes is hinged on swimming are permitted to swim while fasting in order to earn their living. Taking injections while fasting is also permitted provided it is for medical treatment and not for any nutritional purposes.
In order to safeguard the sanctity of the Ramadan fast, it is wise that we take precaution against watching certain programmes on television especially movies which could jeopardize the validity of the Ramadan fast. We should know when particular programmes of religious advantage are presented by specific television stations so that the TV set can be turned on at such times to watch programmes that are of spiritual benefits.
We pray that Allah (SWT) guides us against doing anything that will vitiate our Ramadan fast as we also pray that He forgives our sins and puts us among those to be redeemed in this holy month from the hell fire, amin.