How to keep a fast in Islam?

What is the difference between Islam and other religions? The fasting of Ramadan for Muslims is the most sacred time of the year. They abstain from all comfort in order to test the will of the will of the carnal desires, repent of their sins, overcome pride in the name of God's forgiveness. How to keep a fast in Islam? This will be discussed in the article.

General information

During the Islamic fast, Uraza, fasting people should not take any food during the day. They are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages, enter into intimate relationships. Currently, there are bans on smoking cigarettes and chewing gum (and, as is known, they did not exist at the time of the prophet). And drinking alcohol in Islam is forbidden not only in the holy month of Ramadan, but, in general, throughout the year. Moreover, their sale is inadmissible. Unlike Christianity, fasting in Islam allows the acceptance of any food: meat, and roast. At the same time, it is limited in time. It is permissible to eat only in the dark. It should be taken into account that Islam does not allow meat to be eaten by some animals. For example, pork - under a large ban.

Not only the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims is the time of fasting. Islam divides it into two kinds. The first post is mandatory. It must be observed in the holy month of Ramadan (the ninth in the Muslim calendar). The second is the recommended one. In Islam, the calendar is not the same as the Gregorian calendar. It is shorter by 11 days. And that is why every year the month of Ramadan comes ten days earlier. A recommendatory are such days of fasting in Islam: every Monday and Thursday; 9th, 10th, 11th of the month Muharram; The first six days of Shawwal. In addition to refusing food and carnal pleasures, the fasting are obliged to pray (perform namaz). Eating should be done before the morning prayer (Fajr) and after the evening prayer (Maghrib). It is considered that in this month the Most High (Allah) is more supportive of prayers and increases the importance of good deeds.

Unlike the Christian, fasting in Islam is not sad, but festive. For the faithful Muslims, it is the greatest holiday. They prepare in advance for him: they buy food and gifts, because God forgives sins and answers prayers not only for those who fast, but also for those who need them, and simply, who are engaged in charity. After all, even the most destitute should eat at night, participate in the holiday. Therefore, at the end of sacred time, it is customary to collect money (zakat) for the poor. In addition to God-pleasing deeds, one must try not to deceive anyone. Otherwise, it is considered that the Most High will not accept fasting or prayers.

Post time

Islam, as the reader already knows, calls on all Muslims to fast in the holy month of Ramadan. On what number his attack will fall - depends on the lunar calendar. For every year he falls on a new date. During the Urazah, it is customary to get up before the morning prayer, to eat breakfast. This procedure for taking food before sunrise is called suhur. The Holy Prophet ordered the faithful not to neglect him, because he would give much power to perform the prayer (prayer). Therefore, to wake up an hour earlier should not be difficult for believers. And complete suhur recommended until the morning prayer - Fajr, so as not to be late for the time of fasting.

Throughout the day, before dusk, the fasting is obliged to conduct in complete restraint, without food and water. He is obliged to interrupt him before the evening prayer. Open the iftar with a sip of fresh water and a date. It is recommended to interrupt the post on time, not postponing for later. After taking water and dates, you do not need to eat immediately. First it is necessary to perform evening prayer, and only then it is allowed to proceed to dinner - Iftar. It is forbidden to eat until dump and overeat. It is necessary to take just enough to satisfy the feeling of hunger. Otherwise, the post will lose its meaning. And he, as is known, is necessary for the education of bodily lust.

Actions that devastate the body

What violates the fast in Islam? These actions are of two kinds: that which devastates man, and that which fills him. The first include those in the process of which certain liquids emerge from the body. As you know, it can be a deliberate vomiting (in case it was not intentional, fasting is not considered to be impaired) or bleeding. As mentioned above, it is forbidden to enter into an intimate relationship. And as is known, during this process both men and women are experiencing the release of sexual genetic material. Because the action is intentional, it also refers to violations.

In general, and without the release of genetic material, intimate contact breaks fasting. Even if it occurs between legal spouses. If the ejection occurred without an intimate contact, but intentionally (masturbation), then this is also a violation, since in Islam such an act is considered a sin. However, if the man deliberately decided to do this, but there was no separation of the sexual fluid, the fast is not considered to be impaired. Unintentional ejection in both men and women is also not a violation.

In Islam, this violation is the most serious. If a person repents, he can atone for guilt in two ways: either to release a slave (in a civilized world this is difficult and virtually unavailable), or to fast for the next two months. Even if, without good reason, he violates or interrupts the restriction that he withstands on the occasion of repentance for adultery, he must begin anew two months abstinence.

To embrace and kiss while fasting is allowed. But these actions should not lead to sexual arousal, so that what happened does not break the fast. If the spouses know how to control themselves, they can easily kiss each other. If there is no confidence in yourself or in your second half, then you need to give up embracing. Sometimes it happens that the release of genetic material occurred in a dream. And as you know, a person does not control his actions at this time. Therefore fasting is not broken. In this case, there is no need to reimburse him. And sodomy and bestiality in Islam are grave sins always, and not only in the month of Ramadan.

Bloodletting during fasting

To hand over blood is also a violation. It is believed that in this way a person becomes weaker. And it is unacceptable to feel unwell during a fast. This means that a person should not become a donor. Even in case of emergency, this is a violation. However, the fasting person can compensate him on another day. If the blood has gone unintentionally, then the restriction is not violated. Also, donating blood for analysis does not apply to him. After all, in this case, a little liquid is surrendered, so a person does not experience weakness. In addition, fasting during the menstrual cycle is also not allowed (also a kind of bloodletting). As you know, the fair sex representatives during this period experience weakness and soreness. And, as indicated above, at such a time, observance of fasting is unacceptable.

Nausea during fasting

If you have a fasting stomach problem, then he does not need to restrain vomiting, fearing that this can break the fast. When the Muslim deliberately summoned her, then this action will not be punished. If the fasting unconsciously released the stomach from its contents, it will not affect fasting. Hence, it is not necessary to restrain vomiting. But it is deliberately forbidden to call them.

Actions that fill the body

The filling actions are those in which the human body is filled. This is a meal and drinks. And as you know, they are unacceptable during the daytime. In addition, taking medications, injecting blood, injections are also considered violations. If medications are taken for rinsing and not swallowed, then this is permissible. Therefore, you need to drink tablets and other medicines at night. Also, fasting is not considered to be impaired if the blood is refilled after it has been cleansed and saturated with the necessary nutrients. In addition, drops for the eyes and ears or enemas also do not belong to the forbidden for uraza. Even the removal of teeth is possible, despite the likely release of blood from the wound. If the fasting person uses oxygen cushions (including asthmatics), then the fasting is also not violated. Because air is not food and drink, but gas that enters the lungs.

Any Muslim who purposely took food or drank made a great sin. Therefore, he is obliged to repent, to compensate for the violation on another day. A double sin is the acceptance of what Islam prohibits any day, not just post-alcohol and pork. If a person simply forgot about the restriction (and this is often observed in the early days of uraza), then fasting is not considered to be violated. It is not obligatory to indemnify. A person should thank the Almighty for sending food to him (and there are many hungry in the world). If the Muslim saw that someone else is reaching for food, he must stop him and remind him of the fast. The ingestion of saliva or the remainder of food stuck between the teeth is also not a violation.

What actions do not violate the post?

How to keep a fast in Islam? What actions will not violate it? In addition to the cases indicated above, the following manipulations can be attributed to them: application of antimony to the eyes (as is well known, this is actual for Muslim women); Brushing teeth with a special brush (miswak) or a conventional brush without a paste. The application of the latter is not prohibited. The main thing is not to swallow a remedy, even partially. Other hygienic procedures are also allowed: rinsing the nose, mouth, showering. Swimming is also permissible, but on condition that a person does not dive headfirst, as this can lead to water ingestion.

Also does not violate the post of a Muslim who involuntarily swallowed tobacco smoke or dust. Allowed and inhalation of aromas (even intentional). If women (and sometimes men) cook food, then try them on the palate - permissible. But it is forbidden to swallow it. Treatment of wounds with ointments, iodine, a solution of greenery is acceptable. Women can be sheared and dyed. The same goes for men. In addition, the fair sex is allowed to use cosmetics. But many people refuse from Ramadan.

Smoking during a fast

Smoking during uraza also violates fasting. In general, this process in Islam is undesirable, as it harms the body and mind, drains the purse. And also in connection with uselessness. Therefore, deliberate swallowing of tobacco smoke (as opposed to involuntary) breaks fast. But many people who hold urazu, do not enjoy cigarettes only during the daytime. It is not right. Because smoking not only cigarettes, but also hookah is forbidden all month of fasting in Islam. It often happens that after the end of Ramadan, many abandon this addiction.

Fasting during pregnancy and feeding

How to keep a fast during pregnancy in Islam? A future mother, if she feels well, there is no threat to her or to the child, she must observe the restrictions. If there is a possibility of a miscarriage, then it is not necessary to fast. The same applies to breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, before the onset of the holy fast, the above-mentioned women should consult a doctor. And pass the necessary tests.

If they are not recommended for fasting on the occasion of a seriously ill pregnancy or for other reasons, they are obliged to replace the fast at another time. Preferably, before the next Ramadan. In addition, such a young lady needs to give alms to the needy (both money and food). However, if a woman can not repay a post because of the fact that she is carrying the baby again under her heart or continues to feed, then it is enough to help the poor.

Fasting a pregnant woman in Islam is not too strict. It is not necessary to observe all thirty days in a row. Permissible violations every second day. Sometimes you can take a break for a week. The main thing is to keep thirty days in total. Since the days of fasting in the winter are much shorter than summer ones (during the cold season it dawns late and darkens early), it is allowed for young mothers to compensate for fasting these days, even if Ramadan was in the summer.

Fasting during critical days

Is it possible to keep fast during menstruation? Islam forbids the faithful Muslim woman not only to observe restrictions, but also to perform namaz. If a woman does not do it in critical days, then there is no need to reimburse. All this is due to the fact that these days the ladies are not clean. And as you know, observance of the most important Islamic rituals is allowed only with the utmost hygiene.

If a woman keeps a post, and suddenly she began to discharge, then it is considered to be impaired. The girl will have to compensate him. But if this happened after the onset of twilight, then there was no violation. The next day you need to refrain from restrictions until the end of the monthly cycle. In short, fasting should be for the benefit of the fasting, not to the detriment of them. And with a feeling of weakness of the body, from uraza you can get more negative than positive moments.