Sheikhs give Ramadan guide

By Umaru Kashaka   

Muslim clerics have explained what fasting is, how to fast, who can fast, who is exempt from fasting, things that invalidate the fast and outlined the rules of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

Definition of fasting

Fasting means abstaining from several things, from just before the starting of dawn (that is, just before the start of Fajr) until sunset, with the intention of fasting.

"A Muslim fasting must abstain from the following: food and drink, sexual intercourse, masturbation (most scholars say this is not allowed even when not fasting) and deliberately causing one's self to vomit," explains city Sheikh Abdul Ssessanga.

Ssessanga says if these four things listed above are done deliberately a person's fast will be broken. 

Ramadan is a great month

Sheikh Kassim Mawejje, the imam of Ruharo Mosque in Mbarara district, says the month of Ramadan is a great month because it teaches Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity.

"It also reminds us, Muslims, of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well," he adds.

Mawejje explains that Ramadan is the month in which Allah (God) revealed the Quran as a guidance for the whole of mankind.

"It is the month in which Allah gave the Muslims victory in their first and greatest battle at Badr. It is the month which has Laylat al-Qadr, a night which is better than a thousand months," he says.

In Ramadan, Mawejje says, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayaateen (devils) are tied up and the reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month.

Who must fast

The clerics say Allah has made fasting the month of Ramadan obligatory upon every adult, sane, settled (that is, not travelling) Muslim who is able to fast and has nothing such as hayd [menstruation] or nifaas [postnatal bleeding] to prevent him or her from doing so.

Why Muslims fast

The Sheikhs says fasting was enjoined on Muslims so that they may become pious.

"A pious Muslim and Muslimah does whatever Allah and His Messenger have told them to do. Allah told us to fast and we have to obey Him," says Ssessanga.

They advise the faithful to give up bad habits during Ramadan, such as lying, cursing, false speech, engaging in disagreements, backbiting and gossiping if they want their fast to be accepted by God.

How to fast and rulings regarding fasting

• The intention. The clerics say it is obligatory for the fasting person to confirm his/her intention before the appearance of fajr (dawn prayer).

"Thus one should make intention in ones heart before going to sleep," urges Mawejje.

• The time for beginning and ending the fast. Sheikhs say there are two types of fajr: False fajr and True fajr.

False Fajr:  

Sheikhs say at this time it is unlawful to pray fajr prayer, but it is permissible to eat for the one intending to fast. The false fajr is distinguished by a rising vertical column of whiteness which appears like the tail of a wolf

True fajr:

They state that at this time it is lawful to pray the fajr pray but is it unlawful to eat for one who is fasting. It is distinguished by a white light coming across the horizon in the East, thus one should stop all eating and drinking before the True fajr.

The meal that is taken before the fajr is called Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). "We should make sure that we eat and drink something at Suhoor, and that we delay it until just before the adhaan (call) of Fajr," Sheikh Mustafa Kaggwa of Kawempe explains.

Kaggwa says that it is also guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to delay the Suhoor meal until just before the true fajr.

He calls on Muslims to note that along with no eating or drinking whilst fasting, one cannot have sexual intercourse with spouse.

He says kissing and hugging is allowed, but if such close contact causes ejaculation then this will break the fast. He also says swallowing someone else's saliva invalidates the fast.

• The time to breaking the fast (Iftar).

This time is as soon as Maghrib starts (after sun has set).

"If you are in the Masjid (Mosque) or close by and hear the Athan for Maghrib prayer then it means you can now break your fast," Mawejje advises.

Hasten to break the fast

Muslims are urged to hasten to break the fast with fresh dates if available before praying because the (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The people will be fine so long as they do not delay iftaar."  

Dua (prayer) said when breaking the fast

Thahaba th-thama o wabtallatil-Aaurooq, wathabatal ajru in shaal-lah. (The thirst has gone and the veins are quenched, and reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.)

Other things that invalidates the fast

• If a person accidently eats, drinks or swallows anything it does not break his fast and they should continue fasting.
• If a person becomes ill during his fast or so thirsty or hungry that he could become severely ill or die then he is allowed to break the fast and make it up later. There is no sin on him.

However if a person breaks his fast without a valid excuse by eating or drinking, Sheikhs say, then he or she should repent sincerely and make up that day after Ramadan but if they break their fast by having intercourse then they must offer kaffarah (expiation) by fasting two consecutive months or feeding 60 poor people.

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