Islam has laid down clear rules about fasting in the month of Ramadan. However, over time various myths and misconceptions began to develop in society. A number of Ramadan fasting rules that have been believed by many people do not have a strong basis in Islamic law. In fact, it can even complicate the Ramadan fast that we are currently doing. For example, making the imsak time as the deadline for eating sahur. In this article, we will discuss various rules of Ramadan fasting that are often considered correct, but are wrong. What are they?
Erroneous Ramadan fasting rules
1. Determining 1 Ramadan with Hisab
Friends, did you know that determining the entry of the month of Ramadan or the 1st of Ramadan with the science of hysab is wrong? Yes. This is a big mistake that contradicts the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad.
In one of the verses in surah Al-Baqarah, Allah Swt explains how to find out the beginning of Ramadan, namely by observing the moon.
“So whoever of you sees the month coming, let him fast.”
(QS. Al-Baqarah: 185)
In line with the verse above, the Prophet Muhammad also emphasized in a hadith:
“Fast because you see the moon and break your fast because you see the moon. If it is obscured to you (due to cloudy weather), then complete the month of Sha’ban thirty days.”
(HR. Bukhari & Muslim)
Based on the above verses and traditions, it can be concluded that the way to find out the beginning of Ramadan is by seeing or witnessing the moon, not counting days, calculating, and so on.
2. Speeding up the Sahur meal
Some people often start their sahur meal before going to bed for fear of missing sahur time and not eating at all. However, this is actually wrong. This is because it contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad who delayed his sahoor meal.
“It was narrated by Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that Zayd bin Tsabit (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘We ate suhoor with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then he rose to perform the Fajr prayer’. I asked, ‘How long is the interval between Suhoor and the Fajr prayer?’ Zaid replied, ‘About 50 verses’.”
(HR. Bukhari & Muslim)
The above Hadith shows that the Messenger of Allah (saw) did not advance his sahoor meal, but he delayed it until the time of Fajr. In addition, there is a special blessing at suhoor time, so we are encouraged to get up to eat at suhoor time.
“Eat your sahoor, for indeed there is blessing in sahoor.”
(HR. Bukhari & Muslim)
3. Making Imsak the Time Limit for Sahur
This rule is deeply embedded in the minds of Muslims, especially in Indonesia. You will often hear signs of imsak such as the sound of sirens, drums, announcements by the mosque DKM through speakers, and so on, as a sign that imsak time has entered. Usually these sounds begin to be heard about a quarter of an hour before the Fajr call to prayer.
In fact, imsak is not a sign that sahur time has ended. It is only the Fajr call to prayer that marks the end of Suhoor. However, imsak is used by Indonesian Muslims as a form of caution. The goal is to let us know that the sahur time will be over, so that we can prepare to finish eating and drinking during sahur.
”…eat and drink until the white thread appears to you from the black thread, which is dawn. Then complete the fast until nightfall…”
(QS. Al-Baqarah: 187)
“Verily, the call to prayer is at night, so eat and drink until you hear the call to prayer of Ibn Ummi Maktum.”
(HR. Bukhari & Muslim)
The above verse and hadith indicate that the end of Suhoor is the second call to prayer, which is the call for Fajr prayer. This is what Muslims should adhere to, making the adhan for Fajr the last limit of eating sahoor and abandoning the sign of imsak, which was never recognized by the Prophet and his companions.
4. Reciting the intention to fast at the time of Sahur.
This is also a wrong thing, because the time of intention is not specific to the meal of sahoor alone. In fact, the intention to fast Ramadan can be done from sunset to dawn. Reciting the intention is also a new thing in Islam that was never modeled by the Prophet and his companions.
“Whoever does not set the intention of fasting before dawn, then there is no fast for him.”
(Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah)
This Hadīth shows that the intention to fast Ramadan must be made before dawn, but it does not have to be spoken or done right at dawn. In Islam, the intention is in the heart. As long as a person has made the intention in his heart since the night, then it is considered valid. Even if he does not say it, but there is an awareness that he will fast tomorrow, then it is considered an intention.
Read also: Serving Zakat during Ramadan, Rani was touched by the stories of the donors
5. Gargling and Sipping Wudu Water Breaks the Fast
This belief is also a common mistake among Muslims. They think that gargling and sipping water during ablution can break the fast. In fact, gargling and sipping water are things that are recommended in Islamic law as the hadith states:
“And be diligent in inhaling water into your nose, unless you are fasting.”
(HR Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i)
The above Hadith shows that gargling and inhaling water into the nose is still recommended during ablution even if we are fasting. However, keep in mind that it should not be excessive so as not to break the fast if water is swallowed.
6. Swallowing Saliva is Not Permitted
Islamic law does not prohibit a Muslim from swallowing saliva while fasting. Swallowing saliva does not break the fast, because it is something natural and unavoidable. The scholars also agree that swallowing saliva that is still in the mouth does not break the fast, as long as it is pure saliva and not mixed with something else, such as food, drink, or phlegm that has come out to the lips and then swallowed back.
Imam An-Nawawi explained in al-Majmu ‘: If a person swallows his own saliva that is still in his mouth, this does not break the fast, because it is difficult to avoid it. However, if a person deliberately gathers saliva in his mouth and swallows it, some scholars dislike it, but it still does not break the fast.
7. Tasting food breaks the fast
Friends, have you ever hesitated to taste food or cooking during fasting? This is permissible in Islam, as long as we take care that the food only reaches the tongue and does not reach the throat or swallowed.
The evidence supporting this comes from the words of the Companion Ibn Abbas ra:
“There is nothing wrong with a person tasting food from a pot or something else, as long as it does not enter the throat.”
(narrated by Ibn Abi Shaibah)
8. Paying the Fidyah Before the Fasting Debt Occurs
For example, a woman who is six months pregnant will not fast during Ramadan. Then, she pays the fidyah for 30 days before Ramadan arrives or at the beginning of Ramadan. This is the wrong thing to do, because the obligation to pay the fidyah is imposed upon a person once he has abandoned fasting.
Read also: Paying Fidyah Automatically Repays Ramadan Fasting Debt, Is It? Not Necessarily!
These are eight things that are believed to be the rules of Ramadan fasting, but are actually wrong. Friends, now we know them. That way, we can maximize Ramadan fasting in accordance with the applicable sharia without being burdened by the fear of making mistakes while fasting. Let’s improve our worship in Ramadan, from fasting, obligatory prayers, night prayers, voluntary prayers, to giving alms to those in need. You can also channel your alms through Dompet Dhuafa easily with just one click! (RQA)
