One might begin to ask, "What are the main components of the fast?" Essentially, there are two:
- Have the intention to fast. (One of the famous Hadith from Annawawi collection is that the Prophet, peach be upon him (pbuh) said: "Actions are based on intentions and for each what he intended"
- Don't do anything that causes you to break your fast. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet, pbuh, said: "Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, obeying all of its limitations and guarding himself against what is forbidden, has in fact atoned for any sins he committed before it." (according to Ahmad and al-Baihaqi, with a good chain (i.e. reliable hadith)
To reiterate what was covered earlier in this series and broaden it, here is a list of those who are exempt from fasting:
- Children under 12 (unless they have already reached puberty)
- Travelers
- Insane people
- Those who are sick and/or injured
- Menstruating women
- Women during the 40 day post-partum period
- Elderly
- Breastfeeding women
- Pregnant women
All of them are to make up the fast by fasting at a later time after Ramadan, except for the feeble elderly and the chronically sick and insane. Those are to expiate by feeding a poor person. How much food is given depends on what the expiator would consider a satiating meal by his own standards on a day-to-day basis during Ramadan.
Those things that would break the fast of a fasting person would include a change of status into one of the areas just listed, as in the case of a woman who began Ramadan and began menstruating during the second week. As soon as menstruation begins the fast is broken. Menstruating and post-partum women must break the fast as their fasting is not permissible even if they wanted to do it. The same rules of Salah (fard prayer) apply to them.
What Is Permissible During the Fast?
Now that the "deal-breakers" have been covered, it is time to examine things that are permissible or even encouraged during Ramadan.
Hurrying the Iftar (Breakfast meal)
It is preferred to not delay the breaking of the fast. As soon as the dark of night is seen approaching from the West, the fast should be broken. This is in accordance with the words and actions of the Prophet, pbuh, as heard and observed by Umar, Ibn Numair, and Abdallah bin Abi Aufa, may Allah be pleased with them.
Traveler Exemption
Although traveling was already mentioned as an exemption, this is to clarify that the type of travel that would allow one to cut his prayers short is the type of travel that exempts one from fasting in lieu of making it up later. This is a choice given to the traveler, however it has been said that Allah loves that his servants take advantage of his permissions when given. Some may find it harder to make up later and in this day of comfortable travel may opt to fast instead of going solo after Ramadan.
Drinking or Eating by Mistake while Fasting
Abu Huraira, mAbpwh, reported Allah's Messenger, pbuh, as saying: "If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete the fast; for it is only Allah Who has fed him and given him drink."
Sources:
Sahih Al-Bukhari; Kitab Al-Siyam
40 Hadith Annawawi
Fiqh us-Sunnah, Volume III; As-Sayyid Sabiq; Tranlated in English by Abdul-Majid Khokhar, Muhammad Sa'eed Dabas and Jamal al-Din M. Zarabozo; American Trust Publications; 1991; pp113-115
Sahih Muslim; Kitab Al-Sawm; Ahadit 2421-2425
