Lesson 5 - Acts that Invalidate the Fast
As Muslims, we must know about Ramadan rules. There are certain prohibited acts in Ramadan. This episode is based on the things not to do while fasting in Ramadan. We will tell you about each class of the acts and categorize them according to Ramadan rules. Today’s Lesson about things that invalidate the fast.
Introduction: things that invalidate the fast Lesson
Things that Invalidate the Fast
Ramadan rules come with the prohibition of some acts. The things that invalidate the fast are prohibited. These acts are:
Eating or Drinking
Fasting is about not eating or drinking from dawn to sunset. Therefore, eating or drinking while fasting is one of the things that invalidate the fast.
Allah says in the Quran: “Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears.” (Al Quran 2:187)
Any act that makes you swallow something is also prohibited. For example, taking too much water into the throat during wudhu so it may gulp in.
Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Perform Wudhu well, and go between the fingers, and perform Istinshaaq extensively (Taking large amounts of water into the nose) except when fasting.” (Jaami At Tirmidhi Vol.2 Hadith 788)
Taking medicines is also prohibited. Injections that contain nourishment as a treatment are also prohibited.
Blood tranfusions are also one of the things that invalidate the fast.
Blood Treatment
Kidney dialysis or something that takes the blood out, purifies it, supplements it, and returns it is also prohibited and considered in the things that invalidate the fast. Letting out blood, cupping, or something similar is also prohibited.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The one who cups, and the one who is cupped, both have broken their fast.” (Sunan Abu Dawood Vol.3 Hadith 2367)
Sexual Intercourse
Sexual intercourse, masturbation, and any other activity that causes the discharging of something from the body are also the things that invalidate the fast.
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): “While we were sitting with the Prophet (PBUH), a man came and said, O Messenger of Allah, I have been ruined! Allah’s Messenger asked what was the matter with him. He replied I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) asked him, can you fast for two successive months? He replied in negative.
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) asked him, can you feed sixty poor persons? He replied in the negative. The Prophet (PBUH) said (to him) Take this (basket of dates) and give it in charity.” (Sahih Al Bukhari Vol.3 Hadith 1936)
Muhamad (PBUH) said that: Allah says for the fasting person: “He has left his food, drink, and sexual desires for my sake.”( Sahih Al Bukhari Vol.3 Hadith 1894)
Of course, some categories like pregnancy, post-natal bleeding, menstruation, etc., are excluded. It is because they are not deliberate, and they are not among the things that invalidate the fast.
Umm Salamah (RA) said: “The women of Prophet (PBUH) would sit during their post-natal bleeding for forty nights, and the Prophet (PBUH) did not command the woman with post-natal bleeding to make up her prayers.
We are only talking about deliberate actions that are prohibited in Ramadan. Deliberate vomiting is also among the things that invalidate the fast.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever is overcome by vomiting doesn’t require to make up (the fast) and whoever vomits on purpose must make it up.” (Jaami At Tirmidhi Vol.2 Hadith 720)