Ramadan 2014: Fasting Rules and Procedure

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the main pillars of Islam. Fasting is directly related to the purification of heart and soul.
The prophet Muhammad said, "Whoever observes the fast during the month of Ramadan, (while) believing in Allaah and seeking His rewards, will have his past sins forgiven."

Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for

• Someone who is traveling
• Is ill or unhealthy and unable to fast
• A woman who is pregnant and fasting can possibly harm her child
• Woman who are menstruating or having post-childbirth bleeding
• A breast-feeding woman who otherwise may not be able to feed properly

Though these above cases are defined for people who are unable to fast, but they should try their best to avoid eating as far as possible. People, who eat during the fasting period, should donate the same amount of food or money to a charity organization.

Common rules of fasting during Ramadan (Things to avoid)

• Fasting duration: From the break of dawn to the Sunset.
• Intentional Eating or Drinking
• Intentional Vomiting
•  The beginning of menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding even in the last moment before sunset.
• Ejaculation for reasons other than sexual intercourse.
• Intending to break the fast before sunset even if one changes his mind, since intention is one of the pre-requisites of the validity of fasting.
• Eating, drinking or having intercourse after dawn or before sunset on the mistaken assumption that it is not dawn yet or already sunset.
• Sexual intercourse during fasting(dawn to dusk)