Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, so one’s faith cannot be complete without fulfilling it. Also, Ramadan is the most important month in the year, as Allah forgives all sins of whoever fasts it because of faith and seeking his reward from Allah. Fasting Ramadan means to stop eating during Ramadan day, as well as drinking and sex, from dawn to sunset. Here are the top ten questions that may arise in your mind about eating during Ramadan:
Here we will learn the following:
- When can you eat during Ramadan?
- What are Ramadan eating rules?
- What is time to stop eating during Ramadan?
- What happens if you eat during Ramadan?
- What happens if you accidentally eat during Ramadan?
- Can someone eat during Ramadan on period time?
- What to eat before fasting Ramadan?
- What are the best foods to eat during Ramadan?
- What is the traditional Ramadan food ?
- Can you eat gum during Ramadan ?
- What is ruling on taking medication ?
- What are things that do not invalidate the fast ?
- Ramadan is more than not eating
When can you eat during Ramadan?
Eating time during Ramadan starts after sunset time till the down time of the next day. In other words, from dawn to sunset, every Muslim is obligated to fast, except children until they hit puberty, or people who are unable to fast due to illness, traveling, age or pregnancy.
Fasting in Islam differs from fasting in Christianity, even though they are sharing the same term. In Islamic fasting, you are not allowed to drink, eat, or enter anything into the body cavity in any way. Even sexual relations are prohibited during the fast. Not only this, but also to avoid every Haram action; such as envy, gossip, violence, lust…etc, and to follow the teachings of Islam.
For more about fasting, read:
What are Ramadan eating rules?
Eating rules for Ramadan allows considerably more time to work on being empathetic towards those who are less fortunate, as well as to recite to Qur’an and strengthen your bond with Allah (SWT).
- Muslim must not to start the breakfast meal unless getting sure that sunset time had just come
- Muslim should hurry with breaking his fast according to this Prophetic Hadith :
قال رسول الله صل الله عليه وسلم :” لا يزال الناس بخير ما عجلوا الفطر”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break the Saum (fasting).”
Hadith
- Muslim should delay Supper meal ( Suhoor ) as much as possible before dawn time
عَنْ أَبِي عَطِيَّةَ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ فِينَا رَجُلاَنِ أَحَدُهُمَا يُعَجِّلُ الإِفْطَارَ وَيُؤَخِّرُ السُّحُورَ وَالآخَرُ يُؤَخِّرُ الْفِطْرَ وَيُعَجِّلُ السُّحُورَ . قَالَتْ أَيُّهُمَا الَّذِي يُعَجِّلُ الإِفْطَارَ وَيُؤَخِّرُ السُّحُورَ قُلْتُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ . قَالَتْ هَكَذَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصْنَعُ.
It was narrated that Abu ‘Atiyyah said:
“I said to ‘Aishah: ‘Among us there are two men, one of whom hastens Iftar and delays Sahur, and the other delays Iftar and hastens Sahur.’ She said; ‘Which of them is the one who hastens Iftar and delays Sahur?’ I said: “Abdullah bin Masud.’ She said; ‘This is what the Messenger of Allah used to do.”‘
Note: Learn more about Hadiths and Quran Verses about Ramadan – In Arabic and English
What is time to stop eating during Ramadan?
The believer has to stop eating and drinking and other things that break the fast as soon as it becomes clear to him that dawn has broken.
Allah Almighty illustrates when you have to stop eating during Ramadan saying:
قال الله تعالى : ” وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ ” سورة البقرة – أية رقم (187).
“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 Sawm (fast) till the nightfall”
Quran [2:187]
What happens if you eat during Ramadan?
Every Muslim must know that eating during the daytime of Ramadan is prohibited. The time you can eat during Ramadan is from sunset time to dawn time.
Read also these articles about Ramadan:
What happens if you accidentally eat during Ramadan?
If the fasting person eats or drinks accidentally because of forgetfulness, then he does not break his fast.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : ( مَنْ نَسِيَ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ فَأَكَلَ أَوْ شَرِبَ فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ فَإِنَّمَا أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَسَقَاهُ ) .
Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever forgets he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast for it is Allah Who has fed him and given him to drink.”
Can someone eat during Ramadan on period time?
The scholars unanimously agreed that it is forbidden for a menstruating woman to fast during Ramadan and that she has to make up the days that she misses because of menstruation, so eating on period time during Ramadan is permissible.
Read also about special events and worships in Ramadan:
What to eat before fasting Ramadan?
Supper meal, called Suhoor, also spelled sahūr, is a pre-dawn meal consumed by a Muslim before starting the day’s fast. Suhoor is arguably the most important element of a successful day’s fast.
Since a well-balanced meal will provide you with the necessary energy to maintain your fitness level throughout the day. So, our Prophet (PBUH) recommended this meal as the most important one during Ramadan.
عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بركَة»
Anas reported that Prophet Muhammad said: “Take a meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking a meal at that time.”
What are the best foods to eat during Ramadan?
The following are the best foods to eat: complex carbs, vegetables, and fruits, Proteins, water, and minerals. Dates are also, from the most important foods to eat during Ramadan.
Related Articles about Ramadan:
- 2023 Ramadan For Non-Muslims
- How to lose weight during Ramadan?
- What Is The History Of Ramadan?
- Ramadan Habits
What is the traditional Ramadan food ?
Breaking the fast on fresh dates, dates, or water is a desirable Sunnah and is not obligatory, so it is permissible for the fasting person to break his fast with whatever good things he wants.
From the best meals during Ramadan is Iftar meal while the muslim breaks his fast through this meal
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُفْطِرُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى رطبات فَإِن لم تكن فتميرات فإن لم تكن تُمَيْرَات حسى حَسَوَاتٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ”
Anas said that the Prophet used to break his fast before praying with some fresh dates, but if there were no fresh dates he had a few dry dates, and if there were no dry dates he took some mouthfuls of water.
Can you eat gum during Ramadan ?
No, it is prohibited to eat gum during the day of Ramadan because it will annul your fasting. Still, in Ramadan night, you can eat gum, as the time of fasting is from dawn to sunset.
What is ruling on taking medication ?
It is permissible for a fasting person to take medicine by injection, whether intramuscular or intravenous, during the day in Ramadan.
However, it is not permissible for the fasting person to be given an injection for nourishment purposes during the day of Ramadan. This is because everything that constitutes food or drinks, or comes under the heading of food or drink, is among the things that break the fast.
If the intramuscular or intravenous injection can be given at night, that is better.
Learn More About Ramadan-related topics:
- How To Perform Umrah? – Difference Between Hajj And Umrah
- What is the month of Shaban?
- The Month Of Rajab
- What is zakat al fitr
- What after Ramadan
- What is eid
- What is Eid al Fitr
- Benefits of Eid ul Fitr
- Eid Mubarak wishes
What are things that do not invalidate the fast ?
1. Enemas, eyedrops, eardrops, tooth extraction and treatment of injuries do not invalidate the fast. (Majmu’ Fatawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/233; 25/245)
2. Medical tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat asthma attacks etc., so long as you avoid swallowing any residue.
3. Insertion of anything into the vagina such as pessaries, or a speculum, or the doctor’s fingers for the purpose of medical examination.
4. Insertion of medical instruments into the womb.
5. Anything that enters the urinary tract of a male or female, such as a catheter tube, or medical scopes, or opaque dyes inserted for the purpose of x-rays, or medicine, or a solution to wash the bladder.
6. Fillings, extractions or cleaning of the teeth, whether with a siwak or toothbrush, so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
7. Rinsing the mouth, gargling, sprays etc. so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
8. Oxygen or anaesthetic gases, so long as that does not give the patient any kind of nourishment.
9. Anything that may enter the body via absorption through the skin, such as creams, poultices, etc.
10. Insertion of a fine tube via the veins for diagnostic imaging or treatment of the veins of the heart or any part of the body.
11. Insertion of a scope through the stomach wall to examine the intestines by means of a surgical operation (laparoscopy).
12. Taking samples from the liver or any other part of the body, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions.
13. Endoscopy, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions or other substances.
14. Introduction of any medical instruments or materials to the brain or spinal column.
Ramadan is more than not eating
To conclude, in the Quran Allah mentioned Ramadan only once, and He declared that the purpose of fasting is to achieve “Taqwa”. Its root meaning is “to avoid what one dislikes.” In Islam it is the fear of Allah; being careful, and inspiring a person to be on guard against wrong action.
Thus, the enthusiasm to do the deeds which please Allah will increase. However, Allah has prohibited some acts which are beloved to man during the fasting hours, like eating and drinking. These desires which are usually permissible, If they can be controlled in this month, then desires which are not permissible can be controlled throughout the remaining eleven months.
Also read: How to change in Ramadan?
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