Siyam Fasting
Siyam Fasting – Rules and verdicts on fasting in the Shafi’i school
Does a Cotton Swab in the Ear Invalidate the Fast?
Question:
As salaamu aliykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,
I was recently taking a course on the fiqh of fasting according to the Shafi’i school. I thought I had known my fiqh of fasting well, however the ustadh stated something that I was previously unaware of. He stated that if one sticks a q-tip into one’s ear past the part that one can see, then one has broken one’s fast. This seems difficult for me to believe but then again I am only a student. Is this correct? If I stick a q-tip in, does that break my fast?
Country: United States
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
According to the relied-upon opinion, what reaches the jawf [cavity] through the ear will invalidate the fast. (Tuhfat al-Muhtaj v. 3, p. 402; al-Minhaj al-Qawim v. 2, p. 175)
Making up Ramadan Fasts Missed on Account of Menstruation
Question:
Assalaamu alaykum. I know of a particular family which consists of 3 daughters and their parents. Each year, during Ramadaan, if any of the daughters is unable to fast due to menstruation, they do not make up for those fasts after Ramadaan as they claim that their father “pays money on their behalf” to make up for the missed fasts. As far as I am aware, anyone who is physically able to fast and has outstanding days to fast should do so by fasting instead of “paying money”. Is there any such ruling where paying money towards the poor or as zakah or feeding the poor on behalf of others’ missed fasts is permissible? If this is not allowed, what is the correct means of women making up the missed days if they are physically able to do so? Thank you for your time in answering my question. May Allah reward you richly for your efforts Insha Allah.
Country: South Africa
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
Fasting is unlawful for a woman who is menstruating. Imam Bukhari relates that the Prophet Muhammad said, “Is it not that when they menstruate they do not pray or fast?” (Sahih al-Bukhari v. 1, p. 86) Moreover, the Muslims have reached a consensus [ijma’] that it is unlawful for a menstruating woman to fast. (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab v. 2, p. 386; Sharh Sahih Muslim v. 4, p. 595)
As well, making up fasts missed due to a menstrual cycle is obligatory. Imam Muslim relates that the Prophet Muhammad would command women who had menses to make up the fasts. (Sahih Muslim v. 4, p. 594-95) Additionally, the Muslims have reached a consensus [ijma’] that Ramadan fasts missed due to a menstrual period must be made up. (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab v. 2, p. 386; Sharh Sahih Muslim v. 4, p. 595)
To our knowledge there is no dissenting view on the matter. Thus, both ijma’ and clear, well-authentic hadith are definitive evidence that a woman must make up her Ramadan fasts missed because of her menstrual period.
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.
Read MoreA Question on Pregnancy and Fasting
Question:
As Salaamu Alaykum. I would like to know, if a woman is pregnant during Ramadan does she have to fast and if she doesn’t fast does she have to make up her missed days or is there another option for her? What about a woman who is breastfeeding a child? Does it matter the age of the baby? What are the rulings?
Country: United States
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
Regarding a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, it is permissible for either to break the fast fearing harm for herself or the child. If such a woman breaks her fast fearing for herself, then she must make up the fast and she does not need to pay fidyah; likewise, if she fears harm for both herself and the child. If she breaks it fearing for the child, then she must both make it up and as well pay fidyah. (al-Minhaj al-Qawim v. 2, p. 196-97; Mughni al-Muhtaj v. 2, p. 174)
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.
Read MoreNasal Drainage & Invalidating the Fast
Question:
As salamu alaykum,
Does swallowing phlegm and nasal drainage break the fast?
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
The fast is valid if it [nukhamah] was swallowed while it had not reached the oral cavity [i.e. zahir]. If one brought it up and was then unable to spit it out, or if it came by itself and one was able to remove it but did not, then the fast is invalidated; reason being, its being swallowed is on the part of the one fasting. If it came by itself and one was unable to spit it out, then the fast is valid. (al-Minhaj al-Qawim v. 2, p. 178; Rawdat al-Talibin v. 2, p. 224)
According to the Malikis and Hanafis, swallowing such does not invalidate the fast. This is also one of Imam Ahmad’s views. He considered that swallowing such does not invalidate the fast, as it is a substance generally present in the mouth; thus being analogous to saliva. (al-Mawsu’at al-Fiqhiyyah v. 28, p. 65)
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.
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Is there expiation if a fast is broken through masturbation?
Question:
Does one have to pay kaffarah if fasting in Ramadan and breaking the fast by masturbating?
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
Masturbation is unlawful. Invalidating the fast by masturbating is a sin. One must repent to Allah. If such a mistake was made, then one must firmly resolve to never again do the same.
If one masturbates until ejaculating, then that fast day is invalidated. Therefore, it must be made up after Ramadan. There is no major expiation in this case. (al-Minhaj al-Qawim v. 2, p. 191; Mughni al-Muhtaj 2/178)
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.
Read MoreFast Days Broken by Sexual Acts other than Intercourse
Question:
What should be done to make up fasts broken by other sexual acts besides intercourse between married persons? I.e. is there no kaffarah but just making up the fasts and paying the penalties for the years the fast were not made up?
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
If one invalidates a Ramadan fast day by having sexual intercourse, then he must make up the fast and also give the major expiation. If one engages in a sexual act besides intercourse until he ejaculates, then the fast day must be made up. Sh. Ahdal stated:
إذا جامع امرأة بشهوة أو بغيرها سواء أنزل أم لا بطل صومه ووجبت الكفارة العظمى وإن باشرها فيما دون الفرج بطل صومه إن أنزل ولا كفارة عليه وإلا فلا يبطل صومه إلخ
“If he had intercourse, with or without desire, whether he ejaculated or not, his fast is invalidated and a major expiation is due. And if he engaged in other sexual activity with her, not in the vagina [or anus], his fast is invalidated if he ejaculated and no expiation is due; and if he did not ejaculate, then his fast is not invalidated….” (‘Umdat al-Mufti wa al-Mustafti 1/213)
Thus, the fasts will need to be made up if invalidated because of such sexual activity, as mentioned above. And the penalties paid for delays in that.
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.
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