Ramadan Rules for Beginners – Studio Arabiya

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is the most holy time in the Islamic lunar year. It begins with the observation of the crescent moon, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. During this month, Muslims across the globe fast from dawn till dusk, abstaining from food, water, and other physical desires to fortify their religion and willpower.

But Ramadan isn’t just a matter of not eating—there are some guidelines and rules that all Muslims must follow so that their fast will be acceptable and spiritually rewarding. This guide will help beginners understand the basics of Ramadan so that the observance of this holy time can be one of devotion and sincerity.

Ramadan Rules for Beginners

Ramadan is in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar, and its dates vary from year to year in the Gregorian calendar. It begins when the new moon appears, signaling the start of the ninth month of the lunar year. The entire month is a sacred month, and the last ten nights are especially crucial, especially Laylat alQadr, which is better than a thousand months.

Muslims recite the Quran, offer night prayers, and focus on righteousness during Ramadan. Extra prayers such as Taraweeh are performed following the five regular compulsory prayers, unifying all the Muslims across the world.

God desires ease and not hardship for His followers, so fasting days are done as a cleansing and training and not as an austerity.

Discover why is Ramadan Important and its significance in every Muslim’s life!

Definition of Fasting in Islam

In Sunni Islam, fasting means Muslims abstaining from food, water, sex, and other worldly desires from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) with the sole intention of worshiping Allah. Fasting, however, is not just abstaining from eating and drinking it is also spiritual discipline, abstaining from sin, doing good deeds, and reinforcing one’s iman.

The Daily Fasting Routine

• Suhoor (Pre-dawn meal): Muslims wake up early before the Fajr (dawn prayer) and eat a light meal, which is highly recommended to energize for the day.
• Fasting time: From sunrise hours to sunset, most Muslims refrain from food, drink, and sex while also focusing on charity, prayer, and self-control.
• Iftar (Breaking the fast): At Maghrib (evening prayer), Muslims break their fast with water and dates, as ordained by the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), prior to a full meal.

Niyyah for Fasting

In Islam, the intent (Niyyah) is a vital part of fasting. It cannot be uttered but must be made in the heart before Fajr prayer.

The intention is to fast solely for the pleasure of Allah with a hope that He will be merciful and reward. Muslim scholars guide that fasting is only valid when fasting with true intent. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught:

“Actions are judged by intentions.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Maintaining the fast with the right intention makes it permissible to Allah and gives spiritual discipline and purification.

Who is Required to Fast?

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is required for all Muslims who are:

• Muslim: Fasting is not required for non-Muslims.
• Adult: Fasting is required for those who have attained puberty.
• Sane: The person should be of sound mind to comprehend and maintain the fast.
• Physically Able: The person must be healthy and able to fast without harm.

Exceptions: Who Is Exempt from Fasting?

Not everyone must fast, as Islam is lenient with those who are unable to fast due to valid reasons.

• The Sick: Those with temporary illnesses can postpone fasting and make up for lost days at a later time. If the illness is chronic, they can give fidya (feeding a poor person for each day missed).
• Pregnant and Nursing Women: They can skip fasting if it is going to cause harm to the mother or baby and make up for the skipped days later or pay fidya.
• Travelers: If somebody is traveling greater than the particular distance in Islamic dates, then he can delay fasting and catch up later on.
• Old People or Chronically Sick: Old people or seriously sick individuals who cannot fast whatsoever due to either age or disease are exempt and must pay fidya instead.
• Menstruating or Postpartum Women: Those menstruating or with postnatal bleeding are not supposed to fast. They may make up the missed days in Eid al-Fitr.
• Children: Children don’t have to fast, but are encouraged as they grow.

What Invalidates the Fast?

To be valid, a fast, a Muslim should not do some things that invalidate or nullify the fast. The following are the most significant matters that invalidate the fast:

1. Eating or Drinking Deliberately

• Deliberate eating or drinking anything while fasting (between Fajr and Maghrib) invalidates the fast.
• When unintentionally or by mistake, the fast is still valid, and the individual should continue fasting.

2. Smoking

Smoking any kind of tobacco (cigarette, shisha, vaping) invalidates the fast since it is taking substances into the body.

3. Sexual Relations (During Fasting Hours)

• Sex with a spouse completely invalidates the fast and entails expiation (Kaffarah), which is fasting 60 days straight or feeding 60 needy persons.
• Deliberate ejaculation (through self-stimulation or through direct physical contact) also invalidates the fast, but not wet dreams.

4. Vomiting Intentionally

• Deliberate vomiting invalidates the fast.
• Unintentional vomiting does not invalidate the fast.

5. Menstruation or Postnatal Bleeding

When a woman gets her period or postnatal bleeding, her fast is immediately invalidated, and she has to make up the lost days later.

6. Medical Injections and Blood Transfusions

• Injection of nutrients (e.g., IV drips or glucose injections) that supply nutrition invalidates the fast.
• Injection of non-nutrients (e.g., insulin, vaccinations) does not invalidate the fast.
• Blood transfusions render the fast invalid because they are a form of nourishment.

7. Intentional Apostasy (Denouncing Islam)

When a person denounces Islam during fasting, his or her fast is broken.

What Does Not Break the Fast?

While fasting during Ramadan, some actions might be considered to break the fast but do not. The following are the things that do not invalidate fasting:

 Let your child explore the Gift of Ramadan fasting in a fun and engaging way!

1. Involuntary Eating and Drinking

When a person eats or drinks by mistake, his or her fast remains valid.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stated:

“If a person forgetfully eats or drinks, then he should complete his fast, for what he ate or drank was provided by Allah.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

2. Miswak or Brushing Teeth

Miswak (tooth-stick) or brushing teeth, without swallowing toothpaste or water, will not invalidate the fast.

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to take the miswak regularly while fasting.

3. Showering or Bathing

Bathing or showering to cool off or for hygiene does not invalidate the fast.

Rinsing the mouth is permissible, if water is not swallowed.

4. Oils, Creams, and Perfume

Use of lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or makeup does not invalidate the fast since they are external.

5. Unintentional Vomiting

When a person vomits unintentionally, his/her fast is still valid.

But forced vomiting invalidates the fast.

6. Eye Drops, Ear Drops, and Nose Drops (If Not Swallowed)

Eye drops and ear drops don’t break the fast.

Nose drops are to be skipped if swallowing them is possible.

7. Blood Tests or Small Blood Loss

Taking a small amount of blood for medical examination doesn’t break the fast.

Giving a large amount of blood can weaken the body, therefore it is not recommended during fasting time.

8. Inhaler Use for Asthma

Certain scholars allow the use of an asthma inhaler while fasting because it is not food. To be certain, though, one ought to consult a scholar.

9. Wet Dreams or Involuntary Ejaculation

One’s fast is still valid if a wet dream occurs while fasting.

They must take ghusl (ritual bath) prior to prayer but are not obligated to make up the fast.

10. Swallowing One’s Own Saliva

Natural saliva will not invalidate the fast. Nonetheless, intentional gathering and swallowing of thick mucus must be avoided.

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Zakat al-Fitr

Before Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are required to offer zakat al-Fitr, a charity, at the end of Ramadan. The poor and needy receive a small amount of food or cash so they can also celebrate Eid with dignity.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stated:

“Allah’s Messenger obligated the payment of Zakat al-Fitr on him who is fasting, to purify him of every obscene word or deed, and to provide food for the poor.” (Abu Dawood & Ibn Majah)

Who is to give it and how?

Any Muslim male or female who has more than his/her immediate needs is required to pay Zakat al-Fitr.

It can be paid by the head of the family on behalf of the family members, even the children.

Even an infant must be given Zakat al-Fitr on his/her behalf.

How Much to Give?

• The customary amount is one sa’ (about 2.5 to 3 kg) of staple food, i.e., wheat, barley, rice, dates, or flour.
• The cash equivalent may also be given, depending on local tradition and the situation of the poor.
• The precise quantity depends on local prices, so it’s best to contact a local mosque or Islamic charity.

When to Give Zakat al-Fitr?

• Pre-Eid Prayer: Zakat al-Fitr needs to be given before the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid al-Fitr.
• Ideal Time: It’s recommended to give it a day or two before Eid, so that it reaches the poor in time.
• Late Payment: If paid after the Eid prayer, it counts as normal charity (Sadaqah) instead of Zakat al-Fitr.

Conclusion

Muslims around the world observe Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic lunar calendar, as a time for prayer, fasting, and meditation. Beginners can participate completely in the holy month while making sure their fast is acceptable by being aware of the fasting regulations.

From the daylong fasting hours (Suhoor to Iftar) and activities that invalidate or do not invalidate the fast to prayer, charity, and righteousness, Ramadan is a period of self-denial and goodness.