Fasting

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I have a question regarding fasting. I work in an investment bank in the US and I have meetings all the time. While fasting, your breath becomes horrible, and in the US it is considered really rude to have a bad breath. I was wondering if it is possible to use a mouthwash to gargle only after every couple of hours to have a nice breath. I will not drink the mouthwash; I will just gargle and spit it out. Please advise. Jazakum Allah khayran.

What is the Islamic legal ruling regarding traveling in the daytime during Ramadan?

As-Salamu `alaykum. The announcement by Saudi Arabia that Thursday will be the first day of `Eid Al-Adha put many Muslims, especially in the West, in a real dilemma because the Saudi authorities themselves had declared before that Friday will be the first day of the `Eid. I wonder, when can Muslims in this part of the world celebrate the `Eid and fast on the Day of `Arafah, especially after ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) declared that Friday is the first day of the `Eid based on its own sighting in North America. Could you please solve this dilemma?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Would you shed some light on the meaning, purpose, and basic rules regarding fasting? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Is it permissible for women to make i`tikaf (seclusion for sake of worship) in the mosque? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh. My question is about the women's I`tikaf in the mosque. What is the Islamic stance on it?

Is it permissible to use cell phone during i`tikaf?

Assalamu alaikum I would be grateful if you could advise me on the following issues: -If a pregnant woman sits for sunnat itikaaf in the last 10 days of ramadaan and goes into labour (prematurely) during this time- is she meant to make up for the days missed at another time? Also, is she allowed to cook, clean and carry out minimal household tasks during this time? -What is your opinion about the following muslim names for girls: 1- Mariyah- after the Prophet (saw)'s wife. Some sources say that she was a concubine and was not married to him- is this true? 2- Sofia- which, according to" A Dictionary of Muslim Names" by Salahuddin Ahmed, means a mystic, someone believing in Sufi mysticism. 3- Laya- who was Prophet Ismail (as)'s wife as I understand.  Does Laya mean anything?also, please advise me about the correct spelling and pronunciation of the above names. -If  a person owns a property which he does not live in (he lives in a rented property in a different country), does he pay Zakaah on the value of the property or on the rental income from the property? - If working in an environment where washing one's feet in the sink is frowned upon by other colleagues, is it OK to make masaah of leather shoes or woollen socks? Jazakallah Remember us in your duas

Resspected Schoar:  Assalamu Alaikum, 1.If a person like to send reward for deceased but does not know how to read Quran can he recite the Quran along with audio cassettes and make a dua for the reward for all the marhooms including deceased, will the deceased get reward ? 2.After the soul of pious Muslim  is removed from the body and placed in ILLIYYUM, do the soul has any connection with this world can the soul see what is happening with his relatives and also do the soul see what is going on in soul's new world? 3.I heard that when a person dies his ancestors are lining up to greet him and upon his arrival he is introduced to all the  deceased relatives and also questions are being asked about the living relatives ? and from there where do all go ?  4. In a situation where deceased had wished to built a Mosque and have laid down the foundation stone to start few days before his death in Pakistan, later the widow has decided   to keep the land for busisness do the deceased get any reward for this intention and if the siblings of the deceased wants to donate funds/donation on deceased behalf to a Darul Uloom in the area does he will get the same reward like a Mosque ? 5.The deceased who was my younger brother came to one of my borhter's dream and my brother asked him you left us very soon and suddenly he replied it was not my decision the second question my brother asked him how evcerything went for you his answer was everything went fine and very easily and then he said now he is going even farther away and my brother said he looks kind of happy and satisfied, again he met him in dream and he said he is happy and in the world you do not know how much problems, stress and worries I had and recently my cousin went for Hajj and she met him in her dream as he was also doing hajj with them wearing white Hajj cloths,  please comment on this with detail does dream have any link to this world or they are mere dreams ?     6.My brother passed away in Pakistan  this year a week before Ramadhan  and his intention was for Aitikaff for 10-20 days and also his plan was to go with Tableegh Jamaat for 10 days does he gets reward for his intentions ? 7.What is the best we can do to send reward to him is it charity or reading Quran and making Duaas for him ? Please  try to answer these question for me as they will give me great satisfaction because I am very depressed and sad al the time and there is not a single moment of my life when I can not think about him, please help me, I live in a remote small town and have no access to any Scholar, I understand your time is very precious but your answer will give me great satisfaction and May Allah Reward you for this kindness. Wasalaam

As-salamu `alaykum, We live in Belgium and my son is a public school.Sohaib,my son is a teenager (13 years old). He wants to invite some non-Muslim friends for iftar. What should I do? It is the first time to invite non-Muslims to our house.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I want to ask a question about wudu’ (ablution). If I am continually breaking wudu’ during Tarawih (optional night prayer during Ramadan) by breaking wind, is it necessary for me to keep performing wudu’? I may break wudu’ 4 or 5 times during the Salah. Jazakum Allah khayran.

I've just started to study and learn Islam. I have not yet decided to convert. Is it OK for a non-Muslim like me, in an attempt to learn more about Islam, to practice rituals such as Prayer and fasting Ramadan?

Dear Sheikh! Ramadan Mubarak! I have a simple question for you. Can I have Iftar (i.e. to have an Iftar meal) at the house of my Christian friend?

Dear Scholars salamu alaykumIf woman fasting and she got her menses period that day just before Iftar/Maqrib, does she count that day as she was fasting.  she should make up that day another time?Wa salamu Alaykum

Dear Scholar,assalamu alaykum Recently i've got an email with the following hadith. Could you please verify whether its authentic. Subject: The power of the Dua of Iftaar! Once Moosa (AS) asked Allah Ta'ala: O Allah ! you have granted me thehonour and privilege of talking to you directly, Have you given this privilege to any other person? Allah Ta'ala replied, O Moosa duringthe last period I am going to send an ummat, who will be the Ummat of Mohammed (SAW)  with dry lips , parched tongues, emaciated body witheyes sunken deep into their sockets, with livers dry and stomachs suffering the pangs of hunger- will call out to me (in dua) they will be much much closer to me than you O Moosa! while you speak to me there are 70000 veils between you and me but at the time of iftaar there will not be a single veil between me and the fasting Ummati of Mohammed (SAW) O moosa I have taken upon m yself the responsibility that at the time of iftaar I will never refuse the dua of a fasting person! May all of our dua be granted during this blessed month inshaAllah. Please include me in your Duas.  May Allah forgive all the sins of all Muslims and save them from the hell and dwell them in his Jannathul Firdows. Ameen!

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it allowed to sell food in the daytime of Ramadan? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Salam Alaykum. I am aware of the Prophetic (saw) ahadith that specify it is Sunnah to hasten in breaking the fast and that the Ummah will continue to be in good so long as they hasten in breaking the fast, but if a hadith contradicts the Qur'an (more specifically, the ayah which specifies night time to be iftar, not sunset) - then isn't such a hadith invalid, since it contradicts the Qur'an? So my question is, in light of all of this, and of all the ahadith on this subject - Why is the fast broken at Sunset and not at night fall- as in the Qur'an ?thankyou, Salam.

Many people issue fatwas based on the easiest juristic opinions. Is there any legal evidence supporting this approach? And sho uld leniency be resorted to all the time?

Respected scholars of Islam, as-Salamu `alaykum. It is generally known that cleaning one's teeth is recommended in Shari`ah. Does this contradict the hadiths that praise the odor that comes from the mouth of the fasting person?

If a person was forced for some reason to have suhur late at night, and kept eating while the Fajr Adhan is taking place, does he have to stop eating immediately upon hearing the call or can he continue eating until the end of the call?

do i have to do ghusl before suhoor ends if i have had sexual intercourse with my wife during the night or can i do ghusl after and will my fasting be accepted.

I'm a non-Muslim with a number of Muslim friends and coworkers. Do I wish them a good Ramadan? Happy Ramadan? Have a good fast? Or do I say nothing at all?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it better for a traveler to break the fast in Ramadan or to fast? Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu alaykum! Does faint invalidate fasting?Jazakum Allah Khayran!

As-Salaam `Alaykum. I would be very grateful if you please let me know about the timings for Fajr, Maghrib and Isha' prayers near the two poles where the sun does not rise or set for some couple of weeks during the year. Your earliest response will be very much appreciated. Jazakum Allah Khayran.

Is it permissible to break my fast since I am breast-feeding? My milk has been reduced very much since the beginning of Ramadan, and I followed all my doctor's orders in how to increase my milk, but nothing has worked. My only other option is to see if fasting has an effect. Is it permissible in this case to break my fasting?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. My fellow staff member asked me a question about the fasting in Islam and I could not answer his question because I don't know the answer. The question is: why do Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset? What is the logical reason behind this? Why not during the nighttime? Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum! I am a mother of a one-year-old child, still breast-feeding. Should I fast? My concern is that he doesn't drink cow's milk, so I really want to fast but am worried about my son too.

Respected scholar of Islam, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it permissible for an old man/woman not to fast in Ramadan? Also, what is the ruling regarding the pregnant woman and suckling mother?

As-salamu `alaykum. Is Zakah to be counted from the beginning of the month of Ramadan or from the end of the month? If the money is being added every month in the bank, is Zakah to be paid on the balance remaining at the next Ramadan, as one year would not have passed on the subsequent deposits in the bank?

What is the best arrangement for my son to study for his exams during Ramadan? Should he stay up late after iftar (meal to break fast) and study? Or should he sleep earlier, wake up for sahur (the meal before fasting) and commence from there? What do you think is the best arrangement?

How can a Muslim in the United States welcome Ramadan with the oppression of the USA everywhere in the world? Could you please furnish me with a fatwa on how a US Muslim can celebrate this month according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah?

How is it possible to tell our children what is Ramadan all about? As a mother, I am very much concerned to teach them the spiritual benefits of Ramadan: It is not about starving ourselves, it is about getting closer to our Creator, to discipline our body and to enhance our spiritual status. What tips and advice can you give us?

As-Salamu `alaykum. Is the moon sighting common to the whole world, or do we have to sight it where we live?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Can you please give us an exhortation for the beginning of Ramadan? Jazakum Allah khayran.

How do we make children realize the importance of reciting the holy Qur’an and offering Prayer during Ramadan? They think that Ramadan is only about abstaining from food and drink; when we tell them that there is more than that, they are not interested in learning and following instructions.

I heard two fatwas about using inhaler to relieve asthma attacks during the fasting of Ramadan. One fatwa permits the use of the inhaler and the other fatwa says using it breaks the fast. I am not sure which one to follow. Will the use of the inhaler, which mainly goes to the lungs, affect my fasting? Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

Is it permissible to abandon fasting because of the hard nature of the job we do?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I am not wearing hijab but I observe fasting and prayer. Will Allah accept my fasting and prayer? A friend of mine said to me yesterday that none of my fasts are valid. Please help! Jazakum Allah khayran.

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. At what age should children start fasting during Ramadan, according to the Shari`ah? Jazakum Allahu Khayran

Is it permissible for a woman to use contraceptives and other forms of medication during Ramadan to stop her period in order to be able to fast the whole month of Ramadan? I know that women are allowed to use such kind of medication during Hajj, but I wonder does the same ruling applies here? Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

Al-hamdu lillah, I am a revert to Islam. I have a 6-year-old son who is used to celebrating Christmas but I have started teaching him about Islam through contact with other Muslim families and attending Friday Prayers. I would like to know how to introduce the concept of Ramadan to my son.

What is the best way through which one can describe the fasting during Ramadan to non-Muslims in terms that they might understand it better?

I have an exam in Ramadan for two days. Am I allowed to not fast during those two days when I have my exam, and to fast two days after Ramadan?

Can you give me advice to strengthen me in these last days of Ramadan? Tell me about the importance of taqwa and iman.

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Whenever the month of Ramadan comes near, Muslims get divided into two groups. The majority starts fasting and celebrates `Eid with their local community. This group follows a major local organization such as the Islamic Society of North America, which is a well-established organization in North America. But the other group, which is a minority, always creates a division and disunity within the community and follows Saudi Arabia (or its own mother country) in starting and ending their observation of the holy month. For the sake of the unity, don't you think the Muslim community should unite and start and end fasting on the same day? Which opinion do you strongly prefer: to stick with your local community or to follow another country that is far from you? Jazakum Allah khayran.

My child is in a public school, surrounded by many non-Muslim peers. When it is Ramadan, my child actually does not want to fast, as it makes him feel so different from the others. How can I help my child deal with the feeling of difference and, sometimes, inferiority?

As-Salamu `alaykum! Please, kindly help me clear my mind on the issue of voluntary fasting. Some people told me that I could not observe any voluntary fasting until I have made up for all the days I missed during Ramadan. Is this true? Thanks.

Is it obligatory for a woman who had menstruation during Ramadan to make up for the days she missed?

Dear scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. Some people maintain that when they see someone eating or drinking forgetfully while fasting in Ramadan, they do not remind him of his fast, believing that what he unintentionally eats or drinks is granted to him by Allah. What is the juristic opinion in this case? Jazaka Allahu khayran

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Should a diabetic person fast? Is it not sufficient for him to offer fidyah (compensation)? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I lived a life away from Islam, so I did not fast for a number of years. Now that I am a practicing Muslim, am I obligated to make up all those days that I missed? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. One day in Ramadan, and some minutes before the call for Maghrib Prayer, I finished preparing iftar five minutes before the Prayer. Then my husband and I sat at the dining table, waiting for the Adhan. We were chatting and a while later, my husband began to eat, breaking his fast, while we were talking. Suddenly, we heard the call for the Adhan coming from the mosque next door, and we realized that my husband had absentmindedly broken his fast before the Adhan as he was absorbed in talking. Neither of us noticed that he was breaking his fast before the call for prayer. What is the juristic ruling regarding my husband’s fasting of that day? Does he have to make up for it later, or what is he supposed to do? Please reply in detail. May Allah greatly reward you on our behalf, and may His peace, mercy, and blessings be with you.

I am a smoker in the process of trying to quit smoking, and I am using the nicotine patch. I would like to know if it is OK to wear the nicotine patch during Ramadan.

As-Salamu `alaykum. Are students allowed not to observe fast on days of Ramadan in order to be able to study or take examination? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Are we allowed to masturbate during Ramadan? Does it break the fast if we do it?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Fasting is a wonderful act of worship. We abstain from food, drink, lust, etc., from Fajr until sunset. I think Ramadan is a month of education and discipline. I hope you could illustrate, in some details, the lessons and moralities of Fasting. Jazakum Allah Khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I would like to know if someone is fasting during sickness (like having cold, flu, etc.), if they throw up does that break their fast? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. These days are the first days of Ramadan, and many people don’t know how to welcome this month in a way which brings them close to Allah. Here, I would like you to guide me as well as the rest of Muslims how to welcome this blessed month of fasting so as to gain Allah’s reward in this blessed month. Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum. Some women intend to wear hijab only in Ramadan and they want to take it off afterwards. Is that acceptable? Some scholars state that this is sinful, while others state that we should encourage women to wear hijab, for if they wear it in Ramadan, they are likely to wear it afterwards. What is your opinion and which trend you take?

Here is a contribution to the question that was titled: Our Kids' Exams Just Another Parental Challenge During Ramadan The contribution was sent by our counselor Mona Younes We thank her for her contribution and at the same time invite all our visitors to send us their feedback and comments on the issue.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. We want to perform the nikah (marriage ceremony) and walimah (wedding reception) during the month of Ramadan, after Maghrib (sunset), insha’ Allah. Is this permissible? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Is it sufficient for one to make the intention to fast Ramadan once, or has one to make the intention to fast for each day one fasts separately? Is one required to express the intention to fast in explicit words or is it sufficient to make the intention in one's heart? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. During the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast and do good deeds. According to Islam, we must not just sit back and watch any Muslim country being conquered or taken over by non-Muslim countries. During Ramadan, should all Muslims just sit back and watch while non-Muslim countries destroy a Muslim country in the holy month? I just don't understand. Do we fast just to fulfill our own duty to Allah while watching people suffer? Jazakum Allah khay ran.

As-Salamu `alaykum! What is the legal ruling concerning a patient not fasting in Ramadan?

Here is a contribution to the question that was titled: When Your Child Finds Ramadan Painful The contribution was sent by our counselor Manal Soliman We thank her for her contribution and at the same time invite all our visitors to send us their feedback and comments on the issue.

Dear scholars, firstly, I'd like you to enlighten me on the issue of the Unseen, which relates to Divine secrets that are not revealed to anyone, and whether it's possible to fix the exact Day of Judgment.Secondly, I have heard about certain Hadith(s) predicting that certain bizarre and tumultuous events will occur in a month of Ramadan and will cover the rest of the year. Would you please furnish me with a through answer regarding these issues while supporting your words with evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I read in a book written on Ramadan that if a man has forced his wife to make love to him during the day of Ramadan, she is not sinful and her fasting remains valid and that the husband incurs the whole sin. Is that correct? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. My questions are these: Is it my duty to cook and serve food for my husband during Ramadan when he doesn't fast during the day? He takes medication that is not prescribed by the doctor, and I am sure he does not need to take it three times a day. He doesn't even pray. I am not happy about the situation, and repeated efforts to make him understand that he must pray do not yield any results. He says it's not haram not to pray. He uses this non-prescribed medication as an excuse not to fast. He doesn't make up for it in other ways, though he knows they exist. Jazakum Allah khayran.

I decided, without knowing about the Days of Tashreeq, to complete the days of fasting I had missed in Ramadan (due to menses). Do I count the second and third days of Tashreeq that I started fasting on, or must I begin counting my days after Tashreeq?

I am married and want to know is can i have intercourse with my husband during the day in ramazan if we are not fasting due to any reason.i know having intercourse during fasting is prohibited but what if we are not fasting due to some reason so can we have intercourse during the day in ramazan.

Can one be forgiven for all his sins if he performs Ramadan to the best of his ability? I ask because I have stopped praying for a long time, in a sense stopped being a Muslim, and see Ramadan as a way to correct myself and start anew. Afterwords, I hope to take the spirit of Ramadan into everyday life and be a better Muslim. Is there any prayer or thing I can do during Ramadan to get Allah's attention so he may clean my bad deeds? Also, as of second importance, is there any way to get back respect of my fellow brothers at the mosque due to my absence? Thanks for any help.

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu - Ramada is approaching quickly and I need reply to this question as soon as you can. After having couple of babies I have a tendency to bleed for about 25 days a month. I start my menstural period and keep bleeding for almost a month. Then I get the next Menstural Period. It was not this bad with the fist child but with the second one it is really bad. what can I do? Is there any way I can fast after certain number of days or can I not fast for all these 25 days? Please let me know. I would really appreciate your help on this matter.Jazak Allah Khair.

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I am an unmarried female with some medical condition for which my doctors have ordered me to be on birth control pills. I have been taking them for the past 3 months and their timing is very strict; in other words, I have to take them at the exact time every day! I have been taking them at 4 p.m. and with Ramadan starting I do not know what to do. Please advise!

Assalaamu Alaikum,Please tell me that can a Pregnant woman keep fast in the month of Ramdaan?Jazakumullah Kairan

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in which he states: One cannot give a blanket ruling to the effect that all diabetic people must skip fasting and only need to offer fidyah (compensation). This is because each diabetic person is different from the other

Assalamualaykum,I hope you can answer some questions for me:a) If a person intentionally misses a fast of Ramadan he cannot make it up. But if he starts it and then breaks it intentionally for example by eating or drinking, should he make it up or not? Is there a difference of opinion?Or is the only time he has to make up for it and offer kaffarah when he breaks it through sexual intercourse? Please clarify.b) If a person 'does' have to make up a fast that is broken intentionally then is it 'fard' to make it up or only as hope that he will be forgiven?c) What kind of things can a person do to cover up his past mistakes and sins apart from charity, nafl prayers and dikr?May Allah reward you,Wassalam.

dear scholars,asalam alikum....i would be obliged if you could guide me on the following matter with your expert opinion and advice as prescribed by shariah and sunnah. last year I was pregnant with my first child and could keep only 6 fasts in the month of ramadan.I had the intention of keeping the rest before this year's ramadan however i concieved my second child within 5 months after delivery of first and have not been able to keep the fasts i had missed.I am upset as it appears i will not get the oppurtunity to keep the missed fasts before ramadan this year..also i am not sure whether i will be able to complete this year's fasts though i have every intention of doing so.kindly advice me in light of shariah and sunnah regarding 1)will it be allright to keep the missed fasts next year or can i make it up by some other way example feeding another person or giving sadaqa 2)do i have to keep the missed fasts together or is a break of few days allowed May Allah Almighty reward you for your efforts.Jazakullah 

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. My wife thinks that because of her school she is not able to fast this coming Ramadan. She cannot concentrate in class because she is hungry. What is the Islamic ruling for those who seek excuses to eat in Ramadan? Is it haram for me to be with her? I can add that my wife doesn’t pray at all and she also doesn’t think she will one day. But is she a Muslim? Please help, as I’m not comfortable in sharing life with a kafir (disbeliever); I don’t want my future kids to grow like her. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

If there is a women who is having a baby on the month of ramadan and then becomes fatera, does she have to do her days also? And she had days to do from last years ramadan. What does she have to do?

Assalamu 'alaikum, when someone is fasting during Ramadan and they need to go to the dentist who will give them an injection which will mke the gum numb. Will this injection invalidate the fast? If so what should one do? Should they not keep it and make it up on another day?Jazakum Allahu khayranWasalaamKhaled

Asalam AleikumAnd Ramadan Mubarak. I would like to ask about fasting during travel. I will be travelling during Ramadan to see friends and family in a long haul trip from Canada to Pakistan. And will be changing trips and will be spending over 24hrs of travelling time. I am young and fit alhamd lil allah, but I wont be able to tell imsak and iftar in the air. So is there any fatwah regarding this issue. Please clarify this issue.Thank you.

Assalam-o-alekum brother. can you please tell us if the women can put lipstick in Ramadan. Is it allowed for womens to wax thiere arms, legs and eyebrows if thier husband prefer?

Is there any religious reservation on getting married during the month of Ramadan? I say this because I have heard that it is not allowed to marry during the month of Ramadan. Could you please guide me in this regard?

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. What if a person cannot fast and was advised by her doctor, but she cannot afford to pay one's meal for the month? What can she do? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

As-salamu `alaykum. After having couple of babies, I have a tendency to bleed for about 25 days a month. I start my menstrual period and keep bleeding for almost a month. Then I get the next menstrual period. It was not this bad with the first child but with the second one it is really bad. What can I do? Is there any way I can fast after a certain number of days or can I not fast for all these 25 days? Please let me know. I would really appreciate your help on this matter.

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. My mother has contracted an illness recently and her doctors have asked her not to fast during Ramadan. She has no source of income and is dependant on myself and my brothers. I feel myself responsible to compensate for her missing fast. I would like to know if I can pay this debt in her name in terms of money to the poor and how would I calculate the exact amount. I would also like to know the du`aa's the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to ask for the sick people. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

I have been told that during fasting, one cannot put anything into the mouth, the nose, etc. I need to know what if a person has done what he could to avoid putting things in but still feels itches, discomfort, and insecurity and needs to clean his ears or brush his teeth or something. Can he put things in in this case? I was hoping that the one who addresses this could explain using hadiths or Qur'anic verses. I hope my question does not cause too much trouble.

I would like to ask a religious question. I am a 26-year-old female. When I was 21 years old, I had problems controlling my bladder. Whenever I drank one glass of water, I would have to pass urine 3 times or maybe more. I thought this was not a problem until 6 months ago. I was hospitalized and diagnosed with amoeba cyst and campylobacter jejuni bacteria. This has nothing to do with my urinary tract. The specialist requested a CT-Scan to be performed on me. From the scan, the specialist found that I have a horseshoe kidney (two kidneys joined into one). This explains why I can't control my bladder. My urinary tract is very small. If I were to control it and refused to go to the toilet, I wouldn't be able to pass urine at all! I was hospitalized 3 times just to drain the urine out of me.My question is actually related to fasting. I had no problems fasting during Ramadan until this happened. I kept drinking lots of water during sahur. There was no problem passing urine but by noon, I was unable to pass urine anymore as I was dehydrated. I had to endure the pain till buka puasa (the time of breaking the fast). It was so painful that I was even counting down the time. When it was time for buka puasa, the first thing I did was to drink plenty of water. Later, I had problems urinating as there was a painful burning sensation after seven hours of dehydration.That's not all. I had to batal in the middle of Tarawih because I needed to go to the toilet. I consulted many doctors and even the urologist regarding my problem but all they can advise me is to drink plenty of water to flush the acidity in me.My question is, how do I go through fasting the month of Ramadan if I have this problem?All these years, I suffered through by forcing myself to fast. Most of my Muslim friends, relatives, and even my parents told me that Allah will understand if I don't fast. But I don't want to tanggung dosa (be responsible) because berpuasa is one of my rukun (pillars of) Islam. And furthermore, how am I going to repay my fasting if I don't fast during the fasting month?

Dear Sheikh, in light of the recently published story on BBC about the earthquake that hit Pakistan and its terrible impact on people there, what does Islam say on some victims who, under the terrible condition of coping with the aftermath of the disaster, are forced to eat during the day (instead of fasting)? Doesn't Islam have some kind of flexibility with calamity-stricken people in a way that will make the religious observance more humane? How do you see the reaction of some scholars who see that such people "should fast" in this condition, no matter what?

Assalam u alaikum brotherI had three questions which I was wondering if you could please answer:1) When you have done the niyyat for fasting but it is not yet the end of Sehri, is it permissable to eat or drink? 2) Is it permissable to use toothpaste and brush your teeth when fasting? 3) If you start a fast and then you start your menses during the fast, do you have to complete the fast and does it count?Many thanks in advanceJazak Allah Khair

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I am a 16-year-old girl and, al-hamdu llilah, I have been fasting in Ramadan so far. The problem is that I have anemia and my doctor has advised me not to fast since I will not be getting adequate nutrients. I have not felt any weakness during fasting, and I think that I am too young to use such an excuse not to fast. Should I continue fasting or should I listen to my doctor? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. While fasting I slept with my wife and had foreplay that led to ejaculation. What should I do to compensate? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Assalam u alaikum brotherI had three questions which I was wondering if you could please answer:1) When you have done the niyyat for fasting but it is not yet the end of Sehri, is it permissable to eat or drink? 2) If you start a fast and then you start your menses during the fast, do you have to complete the fast and does it count? 3) When calculating Zakat, is it possible to include the amounts I have already as direct debits to sponsor orphan children and other charities for the year?Many thanks in advanceJazak Allah Khair

in the fatwa 'Fasting: Meaning & Rules'. it says to ejaculate will break ur fast. when it says ejaculate, does it mean to fully ejaculate, or does even a single drop break it.? (there was no intention to go that far that any semen would come out)

Assalamualaikum,I would like to ask a question regarding having flu like symptoms during the fasting month.For the first few days of Ramadan this year, I had a sore throat and phlegm(due to cough and fever) was collecting in my throat. I was informed by my friends that swallowing phlegm would invalidate the fast. After knowing this, i still swallowed my phlegm, even if they had been coughed out and is around my tongue area. I did this because I found it difficult to spit out the phlegm, for e.g. if you are in class during lessons, or you are in the midst of a conversation. The persistence of the phlegm was so much so that i decided to just swallow it and not think anything of it, as i treat it as a bodily fluid just like saliva.My question is : 1)whether my fast for those few days have been invalidated? and 2)  whether in the scenario where i am able to spit out the phlegm e.g. i am close to a toilet, and i still swallow it as i had to keep making frequent trips to the toilet, is my fast invalidated if i swallow the phlegm?Would greatly appreciate your kind assistance on this matter. Thank you.

My job is often associated with formalin. I have to endure the smell and eye ache due to the strong chemical properties of formalin itself. Does that invalidate my fast?

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. When a woman is not fasting due to her monthly period, what is the etiquette to follow when eating during the day? Is it OK if other men in her house or at her workplace see her eating or should she eat discreetly? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. Some peop le say that when they see anybody eating or drinking forgetfully in the daytime of Ramadan, they do not notify him because what he has eaten or drunk has been given to him by Allah. So what is your comment on such a claim? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. Is it permissible to have intercourse (sex) with husband during Ramadan time? Jazakum Allahu khayran.