Sawm (Fasting)

Fasting in Islam, (known as Sawm (صَوْم) or Siyām (صِيَام), also commonly known as Rūzeh or Rōzah (Persian: روزه‎)), is the practice of abstaining, usually from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity. During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan Sawm is observed between dawn and sunset when the evening adhan is sounded.

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Islam . Sawm (Fasting) . Outer Space

How would the laws of Islam apply to those who are not on Earth, such as astronauts on Mars or on the International Space Station? How would they pray and fast in zero gravity or with no sense of day or night?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 days ago

They must pray facing the direction of the earth because Ka'bah is on the earth.

Timings of prayers are either according to the nearest point to them which has day and night in 24 hours, or to perform the five prayers in approximate timings in every 24 hours. Fasting is the same like the timings of prayers.
Wassalam.

112322

Arafa . Ashura . Sawm (Fasting)

Is it permissible or recommended to fast on the day of Arafa and Ashura?

Fasting on the day of Ashura is Makrouh (Disliked). It is called Fasting of Ibn Marjana according narrations from Ahlul Bayt (AS). It is recommended not to eat on the day of Ashura till late afternoon or evening.

'Fasting of day of Arafa is recommended unless it makes you weak to perform the recommended worshiping of the day of Arafa.

Wassalam.

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Sawm (Fasting)

Does killing mosquitoes or cockroaches invalidate one's fast?

No, it does not invalidate fast.

'Wassalam.

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Sawm (Fasting)

At what age does fasting become obligatory for boys?

Puberty in males could be confirmed by one of these signs:

1. First: Completion of fifteen lunar calendar years of age (equal to 14 years and seven months and fifteen days of the solar calendar).

2. Second: Ejaculation or seminal discharge while awake or asleep.

3.Third: Having rough pubic hair,similar to head hair.

4. Fourth: Having rough hair on the face and above the lips.

Wassalam.

103432

Qadha . Ramadan . Sawm (Fasting)

If I am not sure whether I have completed all my Qadha fasts from last Ramadan what should I do?

You must keep more Qadha fast till you are sure that you have fulfilled all your responsibility of performing the Qadha fast on you.

Wassalam.

107603

Sawm (Fasting) . Ahl al-Bayt

I know that there are many days in the Islamic calendar when it is recommended to fast. What are those days that are especially recommended and are the Wiladat days of the Ahlulbayt included in them?

Fasting during the 11 months of the year apart from the obligatory fasting of the Month of Ramadan is from the most recommended acts. Hadeeth states that recommended fasting is a protection from hellfire and it leads to Paradise. Recommended fasts are many including :

1. Three days in every lunar month. It is better to fast the first Thursday and last Thursday and first Wednesday of the middle ten days of the month.

2. Eid al-Ghadeer as Hadeeth says that fasting the day of Ghadeer is like performing hundred Hajj and hundred Umra.

3. Birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

4. Day of 27 of Rajab.

5. Day if 25 Thilqa'da ( Dahw al-Ardh).

6. Day of Arafah which the 9th of Thil Hajjah if you are not traveling and fully able to perform the A'maal of Arafah.

7. Day of Mubahalah ;24 of Thilhajjah.

8. The whole month of Rajab and the whole month of Sha'ban or parts from them.

9. Day if Nawrooz.

10. First day of Muharram and third day and seventh day from it.

11. Every Thursday if it does not clash with Eid.

12. It is very good to fast in the birth anniversary (Wiladat) of Ahlul Bayt and gift the reward of it to Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.

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Shower . Sawm (Fasting)

Does inhaling thick white steam from hot water during a shower break the fast?

It should be avoided as much as possible.

Wassalam.

105436

Ramadan . Sawm (Fasting)

Is the correct pronunciation for the month of fasting "Ramadan" or "Ramzan"? And is the letter ض pronounced as "dh" or "z"?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 5 months ago

Bismihi ta'ala

The correct English pronunciation for رمضان is Ramadhan. Writing it with correct transliteration symbols is: Ramaḍān.

Saying it as ramazan is incorrect.

And Allah knows best.

105441

Fajr . Sawm (Fasting)

When are we supposed to start our fast? Is it exactly 10 minutes before Fajr time or is it ok if we leave a gap of just a few minutes before Fajr?

Bismihi ta'ala

Fasting starts from 'fajr', and ends at 'maghreb'. This means that you are able to eat, drink, etc, until just before fajr time. The issue whether you are able to accurately and precisely say when fajr time starts.

This is why the best thing to do is to stop a few minutes prior to fajr time, refraining from any of the invalidators of fasting. By doing this, you will be sure that you have not done anything that invalidates your fast.

As for how many minutes this should be, that is up to you, as long as you are trying to be as accurate as possible, and observing as much precaution as possible.

And Allah knows best.

104989

Istihadha . Blood . Sawm (Fasting) . Taharah (Purity) . Salah (Prayers)

If a female in medium or excessive Istihadha does not fast or pray because blood releases every moment while she prays and she cannot maintain her purity consistently, how does she make up for the fast and prayers?

She must perform Ghusl and Wudhu and pray and fast. Ghusl is obligatory before Fajr for medium Istihadha.bin excessive istihadha Ghusl is obligatory three times; before Fajr prayer and before Dhuhr prayer and before Maghrib prayer.

She is not allowed to leave fasting or leave praying just because of Istihadha.

'Wassalam.

104937

Fajr . Sawm (Fasting)

Yesterday Imsaak was 3:37 AM and I stopped eating and drinking before that time. However, I forgot to take my supplements that help me sleep so I took them quickly at 3:37 AM when I remembered, ten minutes before Fajr. Is my fast today valid?

Yes it is valid as far as you did not take the medicine after Fajr time.

'Wassalam.

104938

Vaccine . Sawm (Fasting) . Coronaviruses

Is it allowed to take, while fasting, the COVID 19 vaccine or another vaccine that is injected through the arm?

Any injection of vaccination or any other injection of medicine does not harm fasting at all.

'Wassalam.