Ramadan

Ramadan (; Arabic: رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, also known as Ramazan, romanized as Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (Sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief.

195282

Hadith . Ramadan . Kaffara . Sadaqa (Charity)

Is the Hadith authentic that states a person must pay Sadaqa and Kaffara for saying "Ramadan" without specifying "the month of Ramadan"? If it is reliable, how much should one pay, especially if they are unsure how many times this occurred?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 months ago

This narration is mentioned in Al-Kaafi, Fasting chapter, part 4. It is not obligatory to pay Kaffara for just saying that although it is not good to say Ramadan only instead of saying Month of Ramadan. It is always good to give Sadaqa for any good reason.

Wassalam.

195457

Pornography . Masturbation . Ramadan . Forgiveness

As a 23-year-old single Muslim dealing with self-control issues related to pornography and masturbation, I regularly pray but marriage is not possible due to financial constraints. How can I seek Allah’s forgiveness and overcome this habit?

The Prophetic advice for those young persons who are unable to get married is to keep fast صوم as fasting helps in controlling decreasing the sexual desire. Repeating fasting helps a lot. It is recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays or at least on three days in every month.

Wassalam.

195233

Medication . Ramadan . Sawm (Fasting)

Can I still fast during Ramadan if I need to take medication twice a day, specifically before Fajr and after Isha?

If your medicine can be taken between Maghrib and Fajr only, you must then fast and never take medicine during the day.

Wassalam.

194865

Ramadan . Sawm (Fasting)

Is there a recommended amount to donate daily during the month of Ramadan while fasting?

It depends on your financial ability. Daily charity is highly recommended and the more you give, the more you will get reward. Giving from what is dear to you is very important as we read in Quran ( You will not attain the piety until you spend in the way of Allah from what you love. (Sura 3, verse 92).

'Wassalam.

194668

Kaffara . Sawm (Fasting) . Ramadan . Fidya

My parents are not well enough to fast during Ramadan. Can I give the Kaffarah to a relative? Should it be given at the end of this month, or can this year's Kaffarah be given during the course of the year before the next Ramadan?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 3 months ago

Bismihi ta'āla

It is not kaffarah that they pay. It is fidyah, which is 750g of certain food items, per day. You can give it to a relative, if they are needy, and it can be given at any time.

And Allah knows best

194591

Ziyarat . Ramadan . Laylat al-Qadr . Sawm (Fasting)

Is there a question about the permissibility of intentionally traveling during fasting hours while performing Ziyarat in the last days of Ramadan, particularly on Laylatul Qadr, and how this affects the validity of one's fast?

It is permissible to travel during the month of Ramadan as far as the travel is not for a sinful act like gambling, drinking alcohol, etc.

Traveling during the month of Ramadan does harm your fasting as far as you intend to keep Qadha of the missed days of fasting after the month of Ramadan.

There is no fasting during traveling but Qadha must be kept after the month of Ramadan.

Wassalam.

194143

Sawm (Fasting) . Ramadan

What is the ruling on fasting during Ramadan for individuals recovering from an eating disorder? Is this considered an illness that exempts them from fasting, or are eating disorders not classified as a physical illness, thereby making fasting obligatory?

Bismihi ta'āla

Whatever the illness one may have, if they are able to observe all the requirements for fasting, and it not be detrimental to them, they must fast.

And Allah knows best

194402

Ramadan . Health . Medicine . Sawm (Fasting)

As Ramadan approaches, I would like to know if I can fast with chronic cholecystitis and gallstone disease, especially since my doctor has advised gallbladder removal surgery. If fasting is not permitted, what are my compensatory options?

Bismihi ta'āla

You must follow what your specialist doctor advises. If they have said you are not allowed to fast, as it will make your situation more severe, and your health will deteriorate, then you must not fast.

If you know for a fact that you can fast, and you can manage your situation, like sleeping during most of the day, and taking your medication at night, and it wont harm you, then do so.

If you need to get the surgery done, then also pursue that as well.

If you are not going to fast, then the compensation is to pay 'fidyah', which is 750grams of food to the poor, for each day.

And Allah knows best

194414

Community . Ramadan . Sunni-Shi'a

Why do Shias begin Ramadan a day later than Sunnis? What is the reasoning behind this difference? If someone lives in a predominantly Sunni community, is there any issue with starting Ramadan when they do?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 3 months ago

There isn't a fixed difference between Sunnis and Shi'is for determining the beginning of the month of Ramadan. However, many Sunnis follow the announcement from Saudi Arabia for the beginning of the month of Ramadan. Unfortunately, sometimes, Saudia Arabia announces the sighting of the moon at a time when it is astronomically impossible to see it. (One can verify this using astronomical software)

Most Shi'is follow local moonsighting (or via a shared horizon; either via the naked eye, as per Ayatollah Sistani, or with the help of an optical aid, such as Ayatollah Khamene'i). Some Sunnis do this also.

Where one is in the world also affects differences in determining the beginning of the month. (You can visit moonsighting.com to see graphs of where the moon is visible and when.)

Anyway it is fine to fast on the last day or days of the month of Sha'ban, but counting the days of the month of Ramadan is useful for observing laylat al-qadr.