Islam 312: Plunging While Fasting?

Again, I've been researching (most of the things you'll see up here are things I've read about (things I want to know more about) because I'm working towards gaining more knowledge about Islam (I'm a convert... Yay for me! :D. Lol!). So I opened this blog as a kind of journal, but I'm sharing it with you all out there (both converts and people who have been Muslims for years or decades), there's something for everyone to learn!). Well, my research was about plunging while fasting... I noticed that some people have questions about it, and so I decided to make this post:

1- If a saim had plunged his head into water while his body was out, what is the ruling of his sawm? 

A: It is haram for saim to do this and his sawm would be invalidated according to the obligatory precaution.

2- If he introduced his head into water gradually until the entire head was in the water, was the strict meaning of plunging be applied here? A: After the entire head was under the water, it will be counted as plunging. 3- If he plunged the right side of his head into water and then got it out to plunge the left side, would this act invalidate the sawm? A: There is no objection to it and the ruling of plunging would not be applied here.

4. A fasting person was unaware that he was in the state of janabah [major ritual impurity - caused by discharged semen] until the time of the afternoon prayers. He then performed the major ablution via submerging the whole body in water [ghusl al-irtimasi]. Does this invalidate his fast? And if he realizes what he has done only after performing ghusl al-irtimasi, does he have to perform the qada of the fast? A: If one performs ghusl al-irtimasi out of forgetfulness or unintentionally (to the fact that he is fasting), then both his fast and the major ablution [ghusl] are valid; thus, he does not have to perform qada of the fast.

5. What rule applies to someone who immerses himself in water wearing waterproof clothing such as a diving suit which does not allow the body to become wet? 

A: If the clothing has close contact with his head, there is a problem in his fast being valid. Hence, as an obligatory precaution he should perform its qada.

6- What are the boundaries of the head in the issue of plunging? 

A: What is meant by the head, plunging of which while fasting is haram, is the entire head till the neck.

7- If one plunges the upper part of his head down to the ears, would this harm the correctness of his sawm?

A: Unless the entire head is plunged into the water, the sawm would not be harmed.

8- If a saim had plunged his head into water sparing his hair, what is the ruling of his sawm? 

A: Plunging by sparing just the hair is considered haram and would invalidate fasting.

9- Plunging the head in adulterated water [mudaf], would it validate the sawm? 

A: There is no objection in plunging the head in mudaf liquid. However, it is according to precaution to avoid plunging of the head in rose-water (maul-ward).

10- If a saim had smeared his head with a substance that would prevent water reaching it and then plunged it into water, then what is the ruling about his sawm? 

A: The standard is the actual plunging of the head into water even if one had smeared it with such a substance. 11- If one had plunged while he was putting his head in a bottle, then what is the ruling of his sawm? 

A: If this was in such a way that it would not be applied correctly to the plunging of the head i.e. he put his head into a bottle and then plunged the bottle into the water, it would not harm his sawm.

12- If a saim had jumped into a water imagining that he would not plunge but plunging occurred, then what is the ruling? 

A: If the water was not of the kind that which usually necessitates plunging or he was not aware that it would necessitate it, it would not harm the correctness of his sawm, but he is obliged to get his head out of the water immediately.

13- If a saim was in state of janabah and he could not perform his ghusl but by plunging, then what could he do? A: If he could not perform sequential ghusl (tartibi) his duty will be diverted to tayammum and he is not allowed, as per obligatory precaution, to plunge into water for ghusl.

14- If a saim had plunged into water for ghusl, then what is the ruling if?a) The sawm was mustahabb or a wajib [obligatory] but unspecified for a certain time. 

b) The sawm was wajib but specified for certain time. 

A: In a mustahabb and unspecified wajib sawm, his ghusl is correct but the sawm would be invalidated. While in a specified wajib sawm if it was a sawm of the month of Ramadan, both ghusl and sawm would be invalidated unless he repented after plunging and then intended to do ghusl even at the time he was getting out of the water, then his ghusl will be correct even though that his sawm had been invalidated by the plunging.

(www.alhassanain.com)

Islam 312: Is It Okay To Masturbate While Fasting?

I understand that some people have questions about this, so I went on the Internet and did some research about it. Here's what I found (and for those who are addicted to masturbation, you won't like this, but it's what's best for you! Moreover, masturbation is a grave sin! I pray that you find the will to stop it. Everything is possible if you BELIEVE!):

1. About seven years ago I intentionally invalidated my fast for several days during the month of Ramadan by masturbating. However, I do not know for sure how many days of fasting I violated in this way during the course of three Ramadans. I do not think they were less than 25 to 30 days. What is my obligation and the kaffarah that I should make? 

A: Invalidating a day''s fast in the blessed month of Ramadan by masturbating, which is prohibited by Islamic law, requires one kind of kaffarah:

(1)fasting for sixty days; or (2)feeding sixty poor persons, although it is a recommended precaution to observe both of the two. As far as feeding sixty persons is concerned, you can give each of them one mudd (750 grams) of food for each day missed. Giving money is not a substitute unless it is given to a poor person to buy food on your behalf; thus, his acceptance to buy the food for himself is considered as kaffarah. Determining the price of the food given as kaffarah depends on the kind of food you choose to give, either in the shape of wheat, rice, or any other kind of food. As for the number of fasts you invalidated by masturbating, you are allowed in performing its qada and giving kaffarah to consider the number of days that you are certain about.

2. A person bound by religious obligation [mukallaf], knowing that masturbation does invalidate the fast, and does masturbate; does he have to offer the two-fold kaffarah? What is the rule if he does it without knowing that masturbation invalidates the fast? 

A: In both cases he must offer just one kind of kaffarah, if he masturbates intentionally, although it is a recommended precaution to observe the two fold kaffarah.

3. I had an emission of semen during the blessed month of Ramadan for no reason other than excitement that I felt during a telephone conversation with a non-mahram woman. If the phone conversation was not for the purpose of pleasure, was my fast invalid? And if it was, do I have to pay kaffarah as well? 

A: If it was not a previous habit of yours to have an emission of semen while conversing with a woman, and the phone conversation was not intended for pleasure and the emission was involuntary, then your fast is valid, and you are not liable to anything.

4. A person had the habit of masturbating for a number of years while fasting in the month of Ramadan and at other times. What is the rule regarding his prayers and fasts? 

A: Masturbation is absolutely prohibited, and when it leads to ejaculation it causes one to become in the state of major impurity [junub]. If this done during fasting, it amounts to breaking the fast by unlawful means. If one performs prayers and fasts in the state of major impurity [janabah], without performing major ablution [ghusl] or dry ablution [tayammum], his prayers and fasting are void and he must make them up [do their qada].

5. Someone at the beginning of legal maturity [bulugh] fasts during the month of Ramadan, and masturbates while fasting, continuing in fasting for some days without knowing that fasting requires a state of purity [taharah], that is not being in the state of major impurity [janabah]. Is it sufficient for him to perform qada of the fasts of those days, or some other rule applies to him? 

A: In the light of the question, he has to perform both qada and kaffarah.

6. If someone who is fasting looks at a sexually arousing scene during the month of Ramadan, does it void his fast? 

A: If he looks with the purpose of having an orgasm, or if he knows that it will cause him to become in the state of major impurity [junub], and it had been his habit before, and still he views it intentionally and becomes junub, then the rule that applies to him is the one that applies to someone who makes himself junub intentionally.

(alhassanain.com)

Continue...

I happened to had masturbated while I was fasting during ramadan. Then I read in one of islamic question/answer column in a newspaper that the act of masturbation invalidate the fasting but no "kaffara" is required i.e. freeing a slave or fasting for 60 days. Is this true?

The other question is that at that time I did not know that kaffara is not required so I ate (I though my fasting is invalid so I ate). does this will make me do the kaffara or not. JazakaAllah for the response.

Praise be to Allaah.

No doubt masturbation is haraam according to most of the scholars, as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said. If this happened in Ramadaan, this is worse, and if there was ejaculation of sperm because of the masturbation, the violation of the sanctity of the fast is even more severe in sin. From the time the maniy (semen) is ejaculated, the fast is broken, but the person should still fast for the rest of that day. It is not permissible for him to stop fasting, because of the sanctity of the month. You have to repent for breaking your fast by deliberately ejaculating, and you also have to repent for not keeping the fast for the rest of the day and for violating the sanctity of the fast by doing something else that broke the fast, namely eating food. You also have to fast one day to make up for breaking your fast. Increase the number of good deeds (hasanaat) you do and observe naafil (supererogatory) fasts, for good deeds (hasanaat) cancel out bad deeds (sayi’aat). And Allaah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

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Sister masturbated whilst fasting

Question: When I was 14 and 15 years old I used to masturbate during the day in the Blessed month of Ramadhaan for a number of days. I don't know how many. I was ignorant about this being haraam in Ramadhaan and other than it and I used to be ignorant as to this being known as masturbation. So, I used to make ablution and pray without making the ritual purification (ghusl). What is the ruling regarding my prayers and fasts? Is it obligatory for me to repeat the prayer and fast, knowing that I don't know how many days to do this. What is obligatory for me?

Response: Firstly: it is impermissible (haraam) to masturbate (i.e. using one's hand in such a manner as to satisfy one's desire, resulting in the excrement of sperm, or for sisters, as in this case, any discharge). During the month of Ramadhaan is even more so!;

Secondly: It is obligatory upon you to make up the days you broke your fast due to masturbating, because this (action) nullifies the fast. Also, strive hard to work out how many days it was that you broke your fast;

Thirdly: It is obligatory to make expiation by feeding a needy person half a saa' of barley or that which is similar to it from that which is the accepted norm in the land. This is also for each day you missed if you delay your fast until the arrival of the next Ramadhaan;

Fourthly: It is obligatory to make perform ghusl if you masturbated as you have stated, and it is not sufficient to make ablution if any liquid was excreted;

Fifthly: It is obligatory to make up the prayers which you prayed without performing ghusl because the minor purification does not suffice in place of the major purification.

And with Allaah lies all the success, and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

(www.fatwa-online.com)

Islam 312: Things That DON'T Invalidate Sawm

Inshallah these things are permissible

1. Eating or drinking by mistake, unmindful of the fast.

2. Unintentional vomiting.

3. Swallowing things which are not possible to avoid, such as one’s own saliva, street dust, smoke, etc.

4. Brushing the teeth.

5. Bathing: if water is swallowed unintentionally, it does not invalidate the fast. However, while fasting gargling should be avoided. [mlre on this in the next article (i.e., plunging)]

6. In some special circumstances if the food or drink is just tasted and immediately removed out of the mouth without allowing it to enter into the throat.

7. Using the miswaak (tooth-stick) does not affect the fast, rather it is recommended, whether fasting or not, throughout the day.

Islam 312: The Ultimate Guide to Sawm (Fasting)

   Source: Reuters

What is Sawm?

Fasting During Ramadan:

Sawm (fasting), commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to humanity during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. During Ramadan, all adult Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse during daylight hours. Exceptions are made for travelers, soldiers, menstruating women, and the ill, although such persons are expected to fast later when they become able. Ramadan is a period of fasting, reflection, generosity and sacrifice observed by Muslims around the world.

In addition to being a time of fasting, Ramadan is an opportunity for increased prayer and devotion. During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, some Muslims retreat to a mosque for even more intensive study and contemplation. One of these nights, usually the 27th of Ramadan (the night is never known and may not be the same every year), is the "Night of Power," the holiest day of the year. To spend that night in worship is equivalent to a thousand months of worship, (i.e. Allah's reward for it is very great.)

The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. Being hungry and thirsty during the fast helps us experience what those who have little or nothing feel, and so it enables is to sympathise with them and remember them. The experience then reminds us not to place too much value in this world, but to aim towards attaining paradise. As opposed to other holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by nature a time of sacrifice. 

Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him. Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits. Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more healthy lifestyle habits -- particularly with regards to diet and smoking. Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.

Observance begins and ends upon the first official sighting of the new moon. The observance of Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast), a major Islamic holiday.

The noble Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) gave an impressive sermon welcoming the month of Ramadhan. He said:

“O people! The month of Allah with its blessings, mercy and forgiveness has come upon you. It is the most preferred of all the months with Allah; its days are the best of days, its nights are the best of nights, and its hours are the best of hours. It is a month in which you have been invited as guests of Allah and have been placed among those honoured by Allah. Your breathing in it is [like] an act of praising [Allah], your sleep an act of worship; your good deeds are accepted, and your prayers answered. Therefore, ask Allah with sincere intentions and pure hearts to help you in fasting and recitating His Book during this [month]. Indeed damned is he who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness during this august month.

“O people! The gates of Paradise are wide open during this month; therefore, ask your Lord not to close them in your face. The gates of Hell-Fire are locked; therefore, ask your Lord not to open them for you. Satans are chained; therefore, ask your Lord not to unfetter them upon you.

“O people! Whosoever among you improves his character during this month, he shall have the pass [to cross] over the Bridge (sirat) on the day when [people’s] feet shall slip. Whosoever is lenient with his slaves during this month, Allah will be lenient with him in the reckoning of his [deeds on the Day of Judgement]. Whosoever checks his evil deeds during this month, Allah shall withhold His anger from him on the day he meets Him. Whosoever honours an orphan during this month, Allah shall honour him on the day he meets Him. Whosoever maintains, during this month, contact with his relations, Allah will maintain His mercy for him on the day he meets Him. Whosoever recites a verse from the Qur’an during this month, his reward will be like one who has completed the recitation of the Qur’an during the other months.”

Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said, “There are some who fast but will gain nothing from their fasting except thirst; and there are some who pray but will gain nothing from their prayer except tiredness.”

Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “When you fast, your ears, eyes, hair, skin, and all your limbs should also fast.” He also said, “Fasting is not only [abstaining] from food and drink alone. When you fast, protect your tongue from lying; lower your eye-glances from what Allah has forbidden [you to see]; do not fight with one another; do not be jealous of one another; do not backbite one another; do not abuse one another; and do not be unjust to one another.

Refrain from false accusation, lying, fighting, suspicion, backbiting, and slandering. Be those who look forward to the hereafter, and wait for your days, waiting for what Allah has promised for those who have prepared to meet Allah. You must have tranquility, sobriety, humility, servility, and submissiveness of a slave who fears his master; and be fearful [of Allah’s chastisement] as well as hopeful [in His forgiveness].”

Who Is Permitted Not To Fast?

Exempted from the fast are the very old, the insane, those who are sick, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant, or nursing are permitted to break the fast, but must make up an equal number of days later in the year. If physically unable to do so, they must feed a needy person for each day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.

More On Fasting:

There are other fast days throughout the year. Muslims are encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following Ramadan, Mondays and Thursdays, and the ninth and tenth, or tenth and eleventh of Muharram, the first month of the year. The tenth day, called Ashurah, is also a fast day for the Jews (Yom Kippur), and Allah commanded the Muslims to fast two days to distinguish themselves from the People of the Book.

While fasting per se is encouraged, constant fasting, as well as monasticism, celibacy, and otherwise retreating from the real world, are condemned in Islam. Fasting on the two festival days, 'Id al-Fitr and 'Id al-Adha, the feast of the Hajj, is strictly forbidden.

In the next article, we'll talk about the do's and dont's of fasting...

Islam 312: Introduction To: Sawm (Fasting)

I believe you now know all about salat (prayer, Salah, namaz) from the previous posts, so we are now moving into the third pillar of Islam, which is Sawm. Sawm means fasting (especially during the month of Ramadan), but we won't be dealing with Ramadan alone, I will also talk about voluntary salats. I will tell you about merits of fasting and the Sunnah things to do while fasting, and things that will invalidate your fast.

We'll start in the next post! Watch out for it!