Today marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan. One of the most important times in a Muslim's life, Ramadan is a time for self reflection and for many a time to strengthen their faith.
Lasting 30 days, Muslims will abstain from drinking water or eating food from sunrise to sun set and will be breaking their fast in the evening. Islamic institutions have reported sightings of the crescent of the new moon and it has been announced that many will begin their fast on Thursday (March 23).
Fasting during Ramadan is considered obligatory for all healthy Muslim men, women and children who have reached puberty. Fasting is seen as an act of worshipping in itself.
The idea is that it helps Muslims remember that Allah is the source of all sustenance. It is also a time for charity and good will and extra care and attention is paid to the poor and less fortunate.
A fast can be broken however during this period. When a fast is broken before iftar, the person must pay back that day by fasting once Ramadan is over.
There are many ways that fasting can be broken, the most commonly known one is deliberately eating or drinking, having sexual intercourse and for women, when their menstrual cycle begins. However, there are some things that may break your fast which you are unaware of.
Things that can break your fast
Listening to music
This is more of a contentious issue in the Islamic world. Many scholars belief that listening to music in general is forbidden due to the nature of the content in contemporary music.
Others believe that listening to music during Ramadan Is not only haram but distracts you from focusing on studying, reading or listening to content related to Islam. To be safe, and ensure they're fast is accepted, most people abstain from listening to music throughout the holy month.
Deliberately vomiting
According to a hadith, which is a collection of sayings and actions by the Prophet Muhammad, which Muslims use as guidance. Deliberately vomiting will break your fast.
Any nutritious injection
Most things that break a fast involve a person tasting and swallowing calories that enter the stomach. Receiving an injection with the intention of nourishing your body is seen in the same way thus breaking your fast.
Medical injections however are allowed which was seen recently during the Covid pandemic.
Masturbation
Much like sexual intercourse, if a person ejaculates while fasting they have broken their fast.
Blood transfusion
Receiving blood while fasting will result in breaking your fast. This is because blood is seen as a form of nutrition.
You are able to draw blood during the month of Ramadan however. This is because the blood drawn is miniscule and you will not be tasting or swallowing it.
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