The Practising Muslim · Fiqh of Fasting

Nuances of Ramadan Fasting Practices

Explore rulings affecting fast validity during Ramadan.

4 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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4 questions, about 4 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 4 questions.

1. Do nicotine patches affect the validity of the fast?

  • No, they do not affect the fast. (correct answer)
  • Yes, because anything absorbed by the skin breaks the fast.
  • Yes, because the patch is worn for many hours.
  • They affect the fast only if worn during prayer.

Why

Nicotine patches are absorbed through the skin. The source states that such patches do not break the fast, though they should only be used in a way that does not cause harm and with trustworthy medical advice.

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2. When may someone break the fast because of fear of weakness when facing an enemy?

  • When fighting is expected and fasting is likely to weaken them. (correct answer)
  • Whenever they feel ordinary tiredness.
  • Only if they are also traveling.
  • Never, even if fasting would weaken them in battle.

Why

Intense hunger, unbearable thirst, and fear of weakness before expected fighting can be valid reasons to break the fast. This is not for ordinary tiredness; it applies when the person knows or thinks it most likely that fighting will occur and fears fasting will weaken them.

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3. What is the difference between true dawn and false dawn?

  • True dawn spreads along the horizon and begins Fajr time and fasting restrictions. (correct answer)
  • True dawn appears vertically in the sky and then disappears.
  • True dawn begins only when the sun rises.
  • False dawn makes food, drink, and intercourse forbidden for fasting.

Why

False dawn appears vertically and has no fasting or prayer rulings connected to it. True dawn spreads along the horizon; it begins the time for Fajr prayer and the time when a fasting person must stop eating, drinking, and intercourse.

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4. What determines whether an injection breaks the fast?

  • Whether it provides nourishment like food and drink. (correct answer)
  • Whether the person intended to break the fast.
  • Whether it is given in the morning or afternoon.
  • Whether the injection is painful.

Why

The ruling is not based merely on the patient's intention or the injection site. An injection breaks the fast if it takes the place of food and drink. Non-nourishing medical injections do not break the fast.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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