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As the Muslim brethren prepare feverishly towards the upcoming month of one of the Pillars of Islam, the Ramadan, there is the need for followers of the religion to prepare adequately in mind, spirit and under healthy conditions to commence the month long-fast and to put them into a better state towards the upcoming general elections in December.

Fasting is obligatory for the mature, sane and healthy Muslim. Those who are immature (i.e. little children) are however encouraged to also fast. Exempted are those who suffer terminal illness or are too old to fast. Allah does not overburden His slaves.

When Does Fasting Begin and End?

Fasting begins upon sighting the new moon after the ending of the month of Sha'ban. (on the lunar calendar) Allah says: “So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting”.

The month of Ramadan is when the Quran was sent down as guidance and as a Standard. “Let any of you who is at home during the month, fast in it; while anyone who is ill or on a journey should [set an equal] number of other days. Allah wants things to be easy for you and does not want any hardship for you, so complete the number and magnify Allah because He has guided you so that you may act grateful.

(On the lunar calendar) Allah says: "So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting."

However, it is not incumbent on each person to sight the new moon. If a trustworthy Muslim testifies that he has sighted it then everyone must observe fasting. Abu Hurairah says: "A Bedouin [dweller of the desert] came to the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) and reported; 'O Prophet I have seen the new moon of Ramadan.'

So the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) asked the man; 'Do you bear witness that {laa ilaha illa Allah} There is no deity worthy of worship throughout the Creation - Only Allah, the Creator is worthy of worship?' The man said; 'I do'. Then the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said; 'Do you testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?' The man said; "Yes." So the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) asked Bilal to announce to the people to begin their fast the next day."

He who sights the new moon of Ramadan must inform those in authority in the Muslim government or community. Once the Muslim government announces the beginning of Ramadan, upon sighting the new moon, it becomes binding on the rest of the Muslims to begin their fasting.

It should be kept in mind, however, that astronomical calculations must be ruled out from Shari'ah and must not be relied on for sighting the moon. The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) has ruled that Muslims must begin their fast upon seeing the new moon not upon calculating the month astronomically. It is only when it becomes hard to see the new moon, due to weather conditions, then Muslims may complete the month of Sha'ban which precedes the month of Ramadan as thirty days.

(The lunar month is either 29 or 30 days according to the sighting of the new moon. It is never more or less in number.)

Assistant Superintendent of Police Sheikh Husein Abdul-Rahim Husein, Deputy Chief Imam of the Ghana Police Service, told the Ghana News Agency that Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam which enjoins all Muslim faithful to adhere to by streamlining their lifestyles before and after the fast.

He advised Muslims to eschew practices that might ‘spoil’ their fast and to rather devote their time and energy in reading of the Quran and practicing acts of virtues and to support their communities to develop.

Permission to abstain from fasting is granted to the travellers who do not travel for the purpose of breaking their fast. Even though it is permissible to break the fast during travel, it is praiseworthy to fast while travelling if no hardship is imposed. In any case, travellers should make up the days they missed out in Ramadan once Ramadan is over and they are back to their homes.

Those whose sickness does not allow them to fast fall into three categories:

If it is neither hard nor harmful for them, they must observe fasting.

If it is hard but not harmful for them, they are permitted to break their fast.

If it is harmful for them, then they must abstain from fasting.

It is stated in the Quran: "Do not kill yourselves" and "Do not throw yourselves into destruction."

The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) is reported to have said: "Cause no harm to yourselves nor cause it to others."

The days that happen to be missed in Ramadan must be made up once Ramadan is over.

During the monthly menstruation of women or postnatal time after giving birth, women should not fast, but they must make up these days that are missed as soon as is possible in the following month(s). Pregnant or breastfeeding women whose health or the baby's health would be negatively affected by the fasting should break their fast and then make them up in the future as soon as it is not a problem for their health.

It is also recommended for those engaged in combat in the Way of Allah to break their fast. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) told his companions in one of the battles: "You are going to meet your enemy in the morning, abstaining from fasting is better for your strength, so break your fast."

Praiseworthy Etiquettes of Fasting

Taking the meal of Suhur: The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said; "Take the meal of Suhur because there is blessing in it."

He also said; "The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) is taking the meal of suhur."

Even taking a cup of water in lieu of suhur meal has blessings in it also.

Breaking the fast as soon as the sun sets.

Making Du'a upon breaking the fast.

Reciting as much Quran as possible during the month of Ramadan.



Fast Breakers

Sexual intercourse during the time of day for fasting. Wilful violation of fast by such practice requires the fast of sixty consecutive days in order to make up for the day in which the intercourse took place.

Intentionally ejaculating. Unintentional ejaculations do not break the fast.

Eating, drinking, smoking or taking any food substitutes such as receiving blood, glucose, or I.V. substances by intention while knowing you should be fasting. If done without remembering you are fasting, then it would not count as breaking the fast. If such an act was prescribed for an essential reason, the fast would be consider broken but would only require one day for each day missed.

Vomiting on purpose without necessity. Menstrual bleeding.

On the other hand, the application of khol, eye, ear, or nose drops or brushing the teeth or gargling with water do not break the fast. As long as there is no intention of taking any nourishment internally.

Wearing perfumes, using siwak or toothbrush without toothpaste do not break fast since it has been reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) practiced that. One can also take the shower or a bath while fasting.

However, it is incumbent to make intention of fasting before dawn. Such intention is to be made in the mind only. Pronouncing certain words for that intention is a bid'ah (innovation) neither the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) nor were his companions ever reported to have composed certain words for the intention.

During the monthly menstruation of women or postnatal time after giving birth, women should not fast, but they must make up these days that are missed as soon as possible in the following month(s). Pregnant or breastfeeding women whose health or the baby's health would be negatively affected by the fasting should break their fast and then make them up in the future as soon as it is not a problem for their health.

The days that happen to be missed in Ramadan must be made up once Ramadan is over.