Violations of women during fasting

All Praise be to Allah, we praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness and seek refuge in Him from the evils of ourselves and the evils of our actions, whomever Allah guides is not to be misled, and whomever He misleads is not to be guided. We testify that there is no god but Allah alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.

These are some irregularities, which women commit during fasting; they have been gathered from the books of scholars, we ask Allah Almighty that they will benefit their reader. It is the satisfaction of Allah that we aim at.

1. Breaches of the intention: Irregularities related to the intention of fasting are three, namely:
Either not to hold the intention to fast from the night before,
or to utter the words of the intention verbally,
or to believe it has to be renewed every night.

With regard to holding the intention of fasting from the previous night, it is obligatory according to his saying, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "Whosoever does not intend to fast from the night before, there is no fast for him." [Reported by An-Nasâ'I and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

However, the intention is the action of the heart and should not be loudly uttered. Some women believe that they should pronounce loudly the words of the intention. But neither the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, nor his companions, or their followers, or the four Imams, or any of the ancestors did pronounce loudly the words of the intention. It is innovated, or Bid'ah (innovation in religious matters), and the place of the intention is the heart, and it means the object of the worship. In his saying, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "Whosoever does not intend to fast from the night before, there is no fast for him." means he intended in his heart to fast, and that is clear from the phrase: 'the night before'.

It is enough to express the intention for fasting Ramadan once at the beginning of the month. There is no need for a Muslim woman to renew the intention every and each day, except when there is some reason which permits her to break the fast during the month such as the menses, for example, therefore there should be a new intention to resume the fast, when menses period comes to an end.

2. Irregularities of Imsâk time (abstinence of food, drink, etc.): some people continue to eat and drink until muezzin finishes his call to dawn prayer (fajr), sometimes they become indulgent towards keeping eating and drinking until muezzins in other mosques which they hear finish the Adhan. This is a manifest error, it would, perhaps, nullify the fast, Allah Almighty has said: {and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall.} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:187]
 

Transliteration: wakuloo waishraboo hatta yatabayyana lakumu alkhaytu alabyadu mina alkhayti alaswadi mina alfajri thumma atimmoo alssiyama ila allayli

And the time of 'appearance' mentioned in the verse is the beginning of the Fajr time, which is the beginning of the call (adhan) for Fajr

The word "until" in the verse means 'up to', so when the muezzin initiates the second call to the Fajr prayer, Imsâk becomes obligatory; and the fast starts. This meaning was stated in the Hadith Reported by Aisha and Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Bilâl calls for prayer earlier at night, therefore eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktûm calls for Fajr prayer" [Agreed upon]
 

The saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "Eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktûm calls for fajr prayer" is evidence that Imsâk becomes obligatory and the fast starts when hearing the second Adhan, for the dawn prayer. However there is a Hadith that permits a person who holds in his hand something to eat or drink to finish with them though he hears the call for Fajr.

3. Taking injections for nutrition: Since food and drink during the day of Ramadan invalidate the fast, the same is applied to what takes the rule of eating and drinking. These things such as nutritional injections also invalidate the fast. The injection of medication is permissible in the day of Ramadan. Medication could be injected into a vein or muscle, though it is better to be administered during the night.

4. Intentional Vomiting: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Whosoever cannot help vomiting does not have to make up for the fast. But whosoever deliberately makes himself vomit, he must make up for the fasting day" [Reported by Ibn Majjah and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

This indicates that the person who vomits deliberately, his fast is invalidated and has to make up for it on another day.

A Muslim woman who is overcome by vomiting, has not to make up for her fast but if she felt that her stomach ripple and that she will throw out what is inside, she must not prevent it, nor bring it out deliberately, but to be neutral, because when vomit happens inadvertently it will not affect the fast

5. Donating a lot of blood without apparent need: To donate a lot of blood unnecessarily is regarded from the violations of fasting because it, analogically, takes the ruling of the cupping therapy (Hijâmah). Cupping therapy is one of the things that nullify the fast. Therefore, whoever donates a lot of blood, unnecessarily; he breaks his fast, in analogy to the cupping therapy, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "The cupper and the one who is treated by cupping both break their fast." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

The donation of a lot of blood for necessity is not among fast violators, but it invalidates the fast and the donor should make up for the day invalidated. The donor of little blood does not have anything of this and his fast is valid, Allah willing.

6. Drops in the nose if they reach the stomach: Nose drops, if they reach the stomach or the throat, break the fast, because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said in the Hadith of Laqît Ibn Sabra: "exaggerate in rinsing your nose, unless you are fasting." [Reported by Abu Dawud and declared Hasan (good) by At-Tirmidhi]
 

So it is not permissible for a woman to drip in her nose drops that reach her stomach or her throat, but what does not reach the throat and the stomach from the nose does not break the fasting.

7. Intercourse during the day of Ramadan: Because sexual intercourse nullifies the fast, consequently, the man who performs such an act in the day of Ramadan, while knowing its rule, must cease eating and drinking, make up for this day, and perform the Kaffârah (expiation for the guilt committed).

It is not permissible for a Muslim sister to tolerate in such matter by enabling her husband to make sexual intercourse with her in the day of Ramadan, as there is no obedience to any creature in disobedience to the Creator. Allah Almighty has said: {So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allâh has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall.} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:187].
 

Transliteration: faalana bashiroohunna waibtaghoo ma kataba Allahu lakum wakuloo waishraboo hatta yatabayyana lakumu alkhaytu alabyadu mina alkhayti alaswadi mina alfajri thumma atimmoo alssiyama ila allayli

8. Early Sahûr: To delay having the sahûr (the light meal taken before the daybreak in Ramadan) until the end of the night, is prescribed as desirable. This meal is called sahûr because it is eaten at the time before the daybreak (sahar). The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has ordered having it by saying: "eat the meal of the Sahûr (the last light meal before daybreak), surely there is a blessing in Sahûr". [Reported by Al-Bukhâri and Muslim]
 

He, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has also said: "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast and delay taking the sahûr." [Reported by Imam Ahmad, authenticated by Ibn Al-Molken]
 

Many women leave sahûr out of laziness and leniency, or they take it earlier in the night, delaying it not to its desirable time. So they, their children and husbands miss its blessing. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "verily, all of the sahûr is blessing, so do not leave it, even if one of you just has a gulp of water, for indeed Allah sends His Salât (Graces, Honors, Blessings, Mercy) on those who take the sahûr and so do His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive them)". [Reported by Ahmad and declared Hasan (good) by Al-Albani]
 

9. Delaying Breakfast: This is also one of the violations because hastening in breaking the fast is a desirable Sunnah, as it was stated in the above mentioned Hadith: "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast and delay taking the sahûr." [Reported by Ahmad and declared Hasan (good) by Al-Albani]
 

The Muslim is to break his fast by eating ripe dates, but if this is not available let it be by dried dates, and if not, water is enough. Salman Ibn ‘Amer Ad-Dhabbi, may Allah be pleased with him, Reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "When anyone of you breaks his fast let it be on dates, because there is blessings in dates; if he does not find dates let it be water because it is purifying" [Reported by At-Tirmidhi]
 

10. Neglecting and wasting the prayer: Allah Almighty has said: {Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.} [Surat An-Nisâ' 4:103].
 

Transliteration: inna alssalata kanat AAala almumineena kitaban mawqootan

So a prayer should be performed in its due time without any delay under the pretext of the fatigue caused by fasting; or on the pretext of sleeping, as a result of staying up during the night performing night prayers and mentioning Allah. However, performing prayers is more obligatory than fasting. If keenness to fast is motivated by the obedience to Allah, performing prayers, as well, is one of the most favorable acts of obedience to Allah Almighty. Rather it is the criteria according to which the deeds of a person are accepted. If long stay up during the night causes neglecting the prayer, then it is forbidden that a Muslim sister stays up at night, for what leads to forbidden acts is forbidden by itself.

11. Going out to markets without apparent need: The basic principle is that a woman should not leave her house except for an urgent need. In Ramadan, the existence of a woman in her house is confirmed, so as to be able to take advantage of the fast and does what is beneficial to her in the Hereafter; especially since her going out and showing off herself before the eyes of fasting people expose them to temptation, and has undoubtedly an effect on their fasting.

12. Sleeping too much during the day of Ramadan: This phenomenon has become widespread among women and men alike. It denotes weak faith and lack of knowledge of the virtues of fasting in Ramadan. The times of Ramadan are full of virtues. One should be ready for them by leaving sleep, and performing good acts, such as reciting the Qur'an, supplicating Allah, Dhikr, charity, being kind to people and benefit Muslims.

13. Wasting time in watching television programs: you do not find the satellite channels more active than they are in Ramadan. This drives women to be keener in watching TV in Ramadan than in any other month. No doubt, what these channels broadcast of the pornographic movies and obscene series weakens the fast and causes to leave the night prayers. The result is that a Muslim woman loses the rewards and merits. How could a wise Muslim woman accept to exchange that which is better for that which is lower?

14. Bad manners, obscene speech and noise: It was Reported that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a person fasting." [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
 

This Hadith indicates that fasting shall not be correct unless by morals and ideals, because the Hadith stipulates avoiding quarrel, anger and controversy, and the likes disadvantages. There is no doubt that good manner will only be correct by leaving anger and its causes. This is why the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has stressed on avoiding anger. A man came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asking for his advice, so he has said to him: "Do not get angry." He repeated his advice many times saying: "Do not get angry." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

So a Muslim sister should be aware to the fact that fasting is not just abstaining from eating and drinking, but it includes fasting of body parts from committing sins and the fast of tongue from obscenity and bad attitudes.

15. Lying: Lying is the basest and worst of ethics; it is prohibited in all times. Its forbiddance is confirmed in Ramadan; it is one of its evils that weakens its fast, and perforates its completeness. In the Qur'an it is connected with denying the faith, as Allah Almighty has said: {It is only those who believe not in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, who fabricate falsehood, and it is they who are liars.} [Surat An-Nahl 16:105]
 

Transliteration: Innama yaftaree alkathiba allatheena la yuminoona biayati Allahi waolaika humu alkathiboona

16. Backbiting and slandering: Both backbiting and slandering are strongly prohibited in Ramadan because of the sanctity of this month. Allah Almighty has said concerning the prohibition of backbiting: {And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting)} [Surat Al-Hujurât 49:12]
 

Transliteration: wala tajassasoo wala yaghtab baAAdukum baAAdan ayuhibbu ahadukum an yakula lahma akheehi maytan fakarihtumoohu waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha tawwabun raheemun

Similarly, slandering is prohibited, because it is amongst the things that invalidates the fast and causes its weakness. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "No slanderer shall enter paradise", [Reported by Muslim]
 

It is a pity that most of the meetings of women in Ramadan, as in other months, are full of backbiting and slandering, and of keeping track of the blemishes of others, all of which are contradicted to fasting out of sincere faith and of hoping to attain Allah's rewards and merits.

17. Perjury: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has strongly scolded perjury. He said: "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" [Reported by Al-Bukhâri]
 

This Hadith provides for restraining the tongue and maintaining it from all evils and sins, especially during the fasting month – the month of worship and drawing closer to Allah.

18. Balderdash: This is pointless talk that includes futile and nonsense speech. This talk may lead to degrading the honor people. The least of its harmful effects is that it distracts the Muslim woman from the remembrance of Allah and the recitation of the Qur'an. To leave it is the most important attribute of the believers at any time. Allah Almighty has said: {And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allâh has forbidden).} [Surat Al-Mu'minûn 23:3]
 

Transliteration: Waallatheena hum AAani allaghwi muAAridoona

But it is more appropriate to leave it in the fast time because it may lead to confusion, mistake, lying, backbiting, and other blights of the tongue. Allah Almighty has said: {Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).} [Surat Qâf 50:18]
 

Transliteration: Ma yalfithu min qawlin illa ladayhi raqeebun AAateedun

19. Hastening not to perform good deeds: The month of Ramadan is a month in which a Muslim would be closer to Allah, by performing acts of worship and righteous deeds. In this month righteous deeds are multiplied and blessed. Many women miss out great good in Ramadan.

Amongst the violations taking place in this regard are:

a.Abandoning the Holy Qur'an, and lacking the diligence of reciting it. Instead, the women are engaging in watching television, meetings, entertaining, or sleeping.

b.Hastening not to spend in the way of Allah, nor generosity or charity with the ability to do so. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was more generous and spending in the month of Ramadan.

c.Lack of diligence to perform the night prayers and the Tarâwîh prayers

d.Wasting the Sunnah of i'tikâf though having the ability to do it.

e.Neglecting the Eid prayer out of carelessness and laziness.

20. Not to benefit from the virtues of the last ten days: the virtues of the last ten days of Ramadan are great to Allah, they include the night of Al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months, in which angels descend to Earth, accompanied by Jibrîl (Gabriel) peace be upon him. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (meaning either he works hard, or give up women) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

So the Muslim sister should augment her efforts on those few nights so that she may succeed, thanks to Allah and her persistence, in winning Allah’s forgiveness and mercy, because the night of al-Qadr is the night of forgiveness and goodwill to those who are doing their best to spend it in remembering Allah and performing the night prayers. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of al-Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven." [Agreed upon]
 

Remember my Muslim sister that the best amongst months is the month of Ramadan and that its best night is the night of Al-Qadr, and the way to have its rewards is to gird yourself to worship and be totally free to this night in the last ten day of Ramadan. Allah Almighty has said: {As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allâh’s religion - Islâmic Monotheism)} [Surat Al-Ankabût 29:69]
 

Transliteration: Waallatheena jahadoo feena lanahdiyannahum subulana wainna Allaha lamaAAa almuhsineena

21. Breaching the morals of going out to the mosque and staying there: Some sisters go out to the mosques, putting on perfumes; which is a dreadful violation, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "If a woman puts on perfume and passes by some people to find her fragrance is an adulteress." [Reported by An-Nisa’i and delcatred Hasan (good) by Al-Albani]
 

Forbidding putting on perfume is general, including Ramadan and other months, because it provokes lustful desires and fuels the temptation of foreign men. This prohibition is emphasized in Ramadan, especially when going out to a mosque for worship. The context here is of obedience and compliance, which requires from the Muslim sister to avoid this deed. It will not bring her any reward. Rather its consequent is punishment. Some other women accompany their children to the mosque, either for necessity or non-necessity. Whatever the motive for their accompanying their children is, the woman has not to accompany her children if she knows they will be the source of nuisance to the worshippers and a reason for their distraction from praying; but if the children were committed to the morals of prayer, quietness and tranquility, there is no harm in accompanying them.

Other sisters sit between rak'ahs talking about their worldly concerns during the prayer. Others skip rows for talks, or they may retire to the back rows and spend a long time talking and humoring. They may perform such acts during the reading of the Imam, and when he gets ready to bow they hurry and bow with him to catch the rak'ah with the Imam. These violations waste the rewards and merits, and possibly the Muslim sister will be given the sin because of idle talking and disturbing worshipers. It is better if she follows up the Imam and stays with him until he finishes praying so that she wins the reward of spending the entire night praying and does not miss the reward.

22. Leaving the Tarâwîh prayer: Some women think that the Tarâwîh prayer is ordained for men and not for the women. This is a mistake. Women are the sisters of men in spending the nights of Ramadan praying and remembering Allah. This was the habit of the predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them, as in the Hadith of Abu Dhar, may Allah be pleased with him, he said, "When it was the third night he gathered his family and his wives, and the people. He led us in praying - i.e. the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him – until I was afraid to miss al-falâh..." [Reported by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majjah, and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

23. Women’s ignorance of the fasting provisions: the most important of these provisions are the fast pillars, and the causes of breaking the fasting. The pillars are four: the intention, refraining from breaking the fast causes, the fasting person, and the fasting time.

Causes of breaking the fast are eight: sexual intercourse during the day of Ramadan, the emission of semen while awakening, eating and drinking, taking nutritional injections, or the similar, the injection of blood, and the exit of menstrual blood, puerperal blood and cupping blood.

The Muslim woman should know these provisions so as to fast Ramadan knowingly and correctly; for that it is recommend the acquisition of simplified books on this subject or attending Ramadan educational workshops and others, or listening to useful tapes, whatever is available. However, attending educational seminars is the best and most effective, because they give the attendant the opportunity to question and inquire. Allah Almighty has said: {So ask the people of the Reminder [Scriptures - the Taurât (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel)] if you do not know.} [Surat Al-Anbiyâ' 21:7]
 

Transliteration: faisaloo ahla alththikri in kuntum la taAAlamoona

25. neglecting of getting little children accustomed to fasting: It is recommended for those who have children in their house to get them accustomed to fasting and praying as well; as this will get them used to performing these rituals and fill their hearts with the desire for undertaking them, making it easier for them to do them when they are of age. Ar-Rubi' bint Mu'awadh, said: "we used to make our boys fast. And we used to make toys of wool for the boys and if anyone of them cried for food, he was given those toys till it was the time of the breaking of the fast." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]
 

26. The belief that tasting food causes breaking of the fast: This is a mistake, it is not wrong when necessary, to distinguish the taste of food saltiness or sweetness, etc., on the condition that the Muslim woman does not swallow what she tastes.

27. Abstaining from the use of siwak: Some women believe that siwak is one of the things that break the fast, so they refrain from using it. This is a mistake, because the Prophet generalized using siwak at any month. He, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with siwak for every prayer." [Agreed upon]
 

This generalization shows that it is desirable to use siwak in Ramadan and in other months.

28. Abstaining of women from using the henna: The use of the henna is not forbidden because it does not reach the stomach. The same is also applied to ear and eye drops. They do not cause breaking of the fast as they do not arrive to the fasting person's stomach. So it is allowed to use them during the fast; if it is necessary.

29. Ignorance of what excuses the fasting person: Some women are unaware of the excuses according to which the fasting person is forgiven, if this person commits things that cause the breaking of the fast. Because these things, though they cause breaking the fast, their effect is not, in case of occurring, entirely invalidating the fast. They are judged according to the motives for having or doing these fast spoilers.

All fast breakers do not spoil the fast but according to three conditions:

The first: awareness, the second: remembering, the third: deliberateness.
Allah Almighty has said: {"Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error,} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:286]
 

Transliteration: rabbana la tuakhithna in naseena aw akhtana

and the Almighty has said: {except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith;} [Surat An-Nahl 16:106]
 

Transliteration: illa man okriha waqalbuhu mutmainnun bialeemani

and the Almighty has also said: {And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend.} [Surat Al-Ahzâb 33:5]
 

Transliteration: walaysa AAalaykum junahun feema akhtatum bihi walakin ma taAAammadat quloobukum

Eating out of forgetfulness, as well as drinking do not invalidate fasting. The same applies to wet dreams; they also do not invalidate fasting. If a husband forces his wife to having sexual intercourse with him during the day of Ramadan, despite her resistance, her fast is not invalidated but his is spoiled.

30. Refraining from breaking the fasting when in travel: This is wrong. The license of breaking the fast in travel has been indicated by the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "verily, Allah loves that his slaves take advantage of his permissions, such as he loves them to observe His commandments." [Reported by Al-Albani as authentic]
 

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has also said: "It is not from Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allah, etc.) to fast in travel." [Agreed upon]
 

The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, had done so and the fasting among them did not reproach those who had broken their fast. It was Reported by Anas Ibn Mâlik, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "We were traveling with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and neither those fasting reproached those who were not, nor did the ones who broke their fast reproach those who were fasting" [Reported by At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

31. The ignorance of women of the jurisprudence of menstruation and the puerperium: This ignorance makes the Muslim woman confused regarding the provisions of menstruation.

The Muslim woman is forbidden to fast if she is menstruating. Her fast becomes invalid when there is menstrual blood. If this blood exits during fasting a moment before the sunset her fast is spoiled, and if she is purified from menstruation, even during the day of Ramadan her fast is not valid because of the reason of corruption in the beginning of fasting, which is the blood, though she refrains from eating and drinking the rest of the day, for the sanctity of the month. The ignorance of these provisions makes some women believe that if blood comes out at the last moments of the day before sunset, fasting is not spoiled or if it stops after dawn her fasting is correct, and these are all irregularities resulting from the ignorance of the provisions of menstruation and the puerperium, as well as the provisions of the fasting.

Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, his family and his companions


Abu Al-Hassan ibn Mohamed Al-Faqîh
Modified to meet with authentic hadith

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