How to keep Ramadan for beginners. How to protect yourself from dehydration on hot summer days? Who should fast and from what age?
Muslims celebrated the holy month of Ramadan. Many Muslims were looking forward to it with joy, but there were also those who felt a little anxious - after all, the duration of daylight hours would be as much as 19 hours. Some prepared their bodies in advance for such a long abstinence from food and water, and many stocked up on advice from experts on how to properly create a diet in order to maintain good health throughout the day, and so that fasting would be beneficial.
Participants of the Women's Club at the Kazan Yardem Mosque also received comprehensive advice from an experienced endocrinologist, candidate of medical sciences Rinata Galimova.
“Uraza is, first of all, an opportunity to achieve the pleasure of the Almighty. It is wrong to treat this as ordinary medical fasting, emphasizes Rinat Galimov. – It is believed that the first 10 days of fasting are a cleansing of the body, the second 10 days are a cleansing of the spirit, and the next 10 days give Muslims hope for forgiveness by the Almighty of sins committed willy-nilly throughout the year. Thus, improving health is one of the main functions of fasting, provided that basic nutritional rules are followed. These same rules can be perfectly used in everyday life,” the doctor notes.
The simpler the menu–all the better
So, what does a nutritionist advise? First of all, give up bad eating habits, which, unfortunately, have become ingrained in many people. Everything tasty - sweet, smoked, fried, fatty, salty - will have to be put aside. On fasting days, the body already experiences severe stress, adjusting to a new eating regimen. And if this food is also harmful, expect complications.
“Throw away all the frying pans from the house,” the doctor advises. – There is no need to fry anything, especially in vegetable oil. The fact is that any vegetable oil is useful only when cold. When heated, it breaks down into toxic components. Tasty, but very harmful! In addition, fried foods are carcinogens - a direct path to cancer.”
Dangers lurk even in seemingly ordinary things. Remember how many times you press the button on an electric kettle to quickly drink hot tea.”
Rinat Galimov says that this habit will also have to be “thrown out” - water, once boiled, is no longer suitable for re-boiling and consumption.
“With each boiling, the water becomes “heavier” and is saturated with radionucleides. It is better to bring it to the “white key” state, when a layer of small bubbles appears on the surface - and that’s enough. You can use special containers that allow you to keep the water temperature at 90-95 degrees, such as a cooler, or a regular thermos - your boiling water will always be at hand.”
The doctor also warns against the dangers of young mothers who are accustomed to taking their babies into the kitchen with them - they say, let him play next to me while I cook. It turns out that when air burns, so-called senglent oxygen is formed - very harmful to the body, which can lead to cancer.
What and how to eat during the fast
Suhur should be started with water or other liquid. The volume should be half the daily requirement, that is, 2-3 glasses.
“You may not be so thirsty in the morning, but you have to force yourself, otherwise you will feel thirsty throughout the day,” says the doctor.
Meat should be put aside for the evening, but dairy products and cereals are the best food. Fermented milk products need to be enriched with fiber and vegetable proteins - for example, prepare something like Uzbek fermented milk soup with cucumbers and herbs, or mix ready-made muesli with katyka, fermented baked milk or kefir.
“Uraza is a great time to re-evaluate the benefits and excellent taste of various cereals,” says Rinat Galimov. – In first place is the wonderful spelled cereal, this is the “ancestor” of all wheat cereals. They say about such products - “it contains the entire periodic table.” Indeed, in terms of nutritional value and the content of substances necessary for the body, spelled is the leader.
The doctor puts the familiar buckwheat in second place - it is a source of calories and fights cancer. Buckwheat can be eaten at any age, in any state of health, and it is not for nothing that it is invariably present on the menu of all medical institutions in the country.
“Both oatmeal and millet are healthy,” the nutritionist reminds. – But you can eat rice, peas, and lentils less often. Just like eggs – you can limit yourself to 2-3 eggs per week.”
Iftar is the main meal and should be divided into two parts. In the first, drink 1-2 glasses of water, eat a small amount of food. Then take a break for an hour and a half. After this, you can take the rest of the food, which can include meat and meat products, fish, cereal soups, and cereals.
As for meat, you should prefer beef to lamb. One palm-sized piece of meat, 2-3 cm thick, is enough. You need to eat a lot of fish, in any form - boiled, steamed, baked in foil, lightly salted. Just not fried or smoked.
An excellent source of calories will be nuts - walnuts, brazil, cashews. Just not peanuts, says the doctor, they are probably infected with the dangerous mold Aspergillus, which releases a substance called aflatoxin, which poisons brain cells. The effect can appear even after 20 years - in the form of Parkinson's syndrome.
The nutritionist advises “leaning on” seasonal berries and fruits – eating and feeding your children yourself. It is not only fiber and vitamins, but also a source of antioxidants.
Finally, Rinat Galimov wished Muslim women to take care of their health, approach wisely the preparation of their diet during the fast and experience real joy from the holiday - the month of Ramadan.
Aliya Ramazanova
The Holy month of Ramadan is approaching, and with it the holiday - the time of obligatory fasting, prescribed by Allah to every believer in the Koran. The Word of God clearly testifies to this:
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you" (2:183).
We asked a doctor and scientist, candidate of medical sciences, assistant at the department of faculty therapy of the Belarusian State Medical University, NAILYA SAKHAUTDINOVA, one of the employees of the Research Center for the Study of the Koran “Nur,” to reveal the benefits of uraza from a medical point of view.
Nailya Rifovna, as you know, there are no clear criteria in Islam, it simply says that you cannot fast to the detriment of your health, that a sick person can skip fasting and make up for it later, or, if the illness is incurable, feed the poor for each day of fasting. How exactly to determine this boundary when you should no longer fast?
The question is not easy. In order to answer it, it is necessary to explain what uraza is, because it is not only abstinence from food. Other components of fasting are no less important. The Muslim Eid consists of three parts: physical fasting - when the body fasts from material food; spiritual fasting - abstinence from temptations such as smoking and sexual abstinence; and fasting of the mind - when a person’s mind fasts from the vain information of the material world - from gossip, newspapers, TV, etc., and works with the Koran - a Book, every line of which is full of deep meaning and enduring wisdom! And if you look at this from a medical point of view, then these three parts of the post correspond to three types of biorhythms: physical, emotional and intellectual. It must be said that of the entire variety of biorhythmic processes occurring in the human body, it is these three individual multi-day biorhythms that are of greatest importance to it, determining its physical capabilities, emotional (mental) state, and intellectual (reasonable) abilities. Physical biorhythm determines the state of the body - the ups and downs of physical activity, its performance, endurance, self-confidence, and the body's resistance to disease.
The emotional (spiritual) biorhythm controls mental health, creativity and perception of the outside world, determines a person’s emotional state, the quality of perception of the outside world, reaction speed, and mood. I’d like to point out right away that physical and emotional biorhythms have the greatest impact on the well-being and condition of the human body, so the mood also improves health. The healing effect of short-term fasting is based on the stress mechanism. Stress causes a transition from daytime to nighttime eating. This, in turn, activates the immune system. There is a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (sw) said: “Eid is a shield for a person” (Bukhari), and strong immunity protects a person from diseases! And it helps to cope with existing ones. Today, doctors also recommend cascade / short-term and cyclical / therapeutic fasting, since long-term abstinence from food, on the contrary, suppresses the immune system.
And the last type of biorhythms is intellectual (reasonable) - a wave rise and fall of mental activity. It regulates the functions of logical and analytical thinking, memory, intelligence, receptivity to knowledge and academic performance.
By the end of the season, these three biorhythms begin to work harmoniously and reach the climax of their action. Then the dormant capabilities of a person in the sphere of his intellectual, spiritual and physical powers are revealed. Moreover, for some in all three areas, but more often in one of them - in the one to which the person gravitates more in everyday life. For example, an athlete can set a new record, and a person prone to intellectual activity can solve a complex problem that he cannot solve in normal times.
If a Muslim, for some objective reason, cannot abstain from food and drink, then he should focus on other components of fasting, this will cleanse his mind and soul and normalize his biorhythms. Here it is difficult to give any specific recommendation when you can fast and when you can’t. Everyone determines for themselves intuitively, turning to Allah.
Apparently, the connection between uraza and biorhythms explains the fact that after it we become stronger and more cheerful, and the body seems to rejuvenate, becoming easier to rise to the occasion?
Yes. Japanese scientists have found that the most powerful biorhythm driver is food intake. They tracked this using the example of jet lag that occurs during long intercontinental flights, when many people cannot get used to the new time for a long time and suffer from insomnia. So, it turned out that when Japanese pilots began to eat according to the Japanese clock, while abroad, all biorhythm disorders disappeared. In fact, the Japanese revealed the medical basis of uraza: uraza is a change in human biorhythms. After all, when it is morning in Japan, then, say, in America it is evening. Therefore, when eating according to the Japanese clock on the other side of the Earth, they feed there at night. And uraza is eating at night. And uraza helps you quickly adapt to the change in biorhythms!
The second most powerful driver of biorhythms is illumination. The same insomnia with jet lag occurs as a result of overwork of the body due to the change in the time of day and night (i.e. extension of the day). This leads to a conflict between two forms of sleep - deep and so-called REM sleep. In this case, there is a disruption in the functioning of the human “internal clock” mechanism, which depends on the onset of day and night. However, if the first type of sleep, in which the deep cells of the brain are involved, very quickly get used to an unexpected and significant change in standard time, then the nerve centers of the REM sleep phase take up to a week to get used to the new schedule of the temporary arrival of daylight hours, when biorhythms mirror their phase: from “plus” to “minus”. But it is not the new phase itself that is dangerous, but the moment of transition. At this time, all three types of biorhythms converge at one point on the “zero line”. Such a triple crisis is stressful for the body and is especially difficult to experience. And it’s not the flight itself that’s hard, but the whole next week: the person walks like a zombie. During the fast, we also change the phase of biorhythms from “solar” to “lunar” due to eating at night, thereby compensating for the moment of their transition from “plus” to “minus”. And while scientists are looking for a medicine that will “help” the nerve cells of the fast phase of sleep quickly adapt to new conditions, we have a more natural remedy for this: Muslim fasting - as a shield against stress resulting from a sharp change in biorhythms. At least a day in advance, simply change your meal intake from daytime to nighttime, and then after long flights you will not be tormented by insomnia and malaise.
And training the body’s biorhythms during the fast causes an immune explosion, which rejuvenates us. In general, according to the canons of Islam, we keep our spirits up in order to come to life, that is, to give dynamism to our sluggish biorhythms that fade away throughout the year, to “shake up” them.
What diseases can be a contraindication to fasting and require consultation with a doctor before Ramadan?
From a medical point of view, there are diseases for which it is undesirable to fast. First of all, this is insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Then, I would not advise abstaining from food and water for patients with coronary heart disease and third stage hypertension, especially in the heat. Because in such patients, due to insufficient fluid intake, dehydration, blood thickening and, as a result, complications can occur - myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Of course, there are many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract when uraza is contraindicated: these are peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum in the active stage, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, acute hepatitis.
Fasting is also undesirable during periods of any acute infectious diseases, especially intestinal infections, when the risk of dehydration is high. In general, if you have any chronic diseases, you should consult a doctor. And then, being sure that fasting will not harm your health, you can keep your spirits up.
How to properly organize your daily routine during fasting to make it easier to endure fasting, because in the summer there are long and hot days?
Regarding the daily routine, it is probably difficult to give any universal recommendations, because we are all different, some work during the day, some work the night shift, and some are at home all day. In the heat, of course, it is undesirable to stay under the scorching rays of the sun. You must walk with your head covered (this also applies to men). To avoid overheating, clothing should be loose and only made from natural materials. You can take cool showers more often.
How much fluid should you drink and when is the best time to do it? Immediately after iftar or later? And after all, drinking at night is harmful, how can you manage to drink enough water to avoid dehydration? How much should you drink in the morning during Suhoor? How to “retain” fluid in the body so that it lasts throughout the day?
A person needs at least 1 liter of liquid per day. In hot weather, of course, this figure is higher - up to 2.5 liters, since a lot of water is excreted through sweat. I would not recommend drinking all the liquid at one time after iftar; it is better to distribute it evenly. During Suhoor, it is not advisable to drink coffee and strong tea. On the contrary, they increase thirst. In order to avoid severe thirst, it is better to avoid various delicacies; they usually contain too much salt, and also various harmful additives.
It is better to drink 1-2 glasses of clean water 15-30 minutes before meals, and after meals - herbal or weak green tea.
What symptoms should alert you and force you to break your fast and see a doctor, and which symptoms can be tolerated by simply lying down and resting?
Abstaining from food is often accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and slight drowsiness. This state can be considered normal for a fasting person. There may be slight dizziness, then it is better to lie down and rest. If dizziness intensifies, spots appear before the eyes, or severe weakness, then it is better to interrupt the bout, drink sweet tea, lie down, these are symptoms of low blood pressure.
If there is a growing headache (usually localized in the forehead), nausea, excruciating thirst, severe dryness in the mouth and throat, muscle pain, cramps, body temperature rises, changes in behavior appear - sudden agitation or, conversely, drowsiness. At the same time, the skin easily gathers into folds that slowly straighten out, and sunken eyeballs are signs of severe dehydration that require emergency care. Of course, in this case it is necessary to interrupt the revelry and urgently call a doctor.
If a person constantly takes any medications, can they be taken at night?
It all depends on what medications he takes and how many times a day. If, for example, the medicine is intended to be taken once a day, you can take it during Suhoor or Iftar, but always at the same time. If the drug is prescribed 4-5 times a day, then it is impossible to postpone the dose overnight, since for successful treatment it is necessary that the concentration of the drug in the blood be the same throughout the day. And if it is vital for a person to constantly take these medications, then in this case it is not recommended for him to keep his spirits up.
A question that concerns many women: during fasting, weight gain often occurs due to a change in diet. How to deal with this?
During the fast you can either gain or lose weight. Weight gain is often associated with excess food intake after six in the evening. This is how our body works: everything we eat for breakfast is used up during the day, and what we eat for dinner is stored as fat. First of all, you need to tune in to the fact that uraza is a cleansing, and during this period, usually all the excess that has accumulated over the year in the human body burns out. Uraza also helps restore impaired functions, so women should not be afraid of weight gain, gradually everything will return to normal.
In order to make fasting easier and without harm to health, it is recommended to eat light food, without excesses. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a must, as fiber helps get rid of accumulated toxins. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recommended breaking the fast with one, three or five dates, washed down with water. By light food we mean those that are easily absorbed by the body, i.e. predominantly plant-based.
This also includes all kinds of cereals - they carry the required amount of calories. It’s not for nothing that porridge has been prepared for breakfast since time immemorial. It gives you a charge for the whole day. A sufficient amount of protein can be provided through fermented milk products, cheese, and nuts. But it’s better not to overindulge in deli meats. Meat requires energy expenditure for absorption and additional amounts of water, and also contributes to the accumulation of toxins, so after eating meat you always want to drink more. For this reason, it is during fasting that you should eat less meat. Previously, meat was eaten only on holidays, but in our time it has become present in the daily diet.
And, of course, it is necessary to observe the basic principles of a healthy diet: this is the rejection of refined products, in which there is nothing useful left - bread and confectionery products made from premium flour, white rice, white sugar, refined vegetable oil, etc. The hadith says: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not see white bread since the Almighty sent it to people until the Almighty took it to Himself.” Since the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself did not eat white bread, it means that all of us are not recommended to eat it - to maintain our own health. It is better to eat grain bread, as well as sprouted grains of any cereals (talkan), which are also useful in combination with fermented milk products.
If possible, give preference to natural products rather than those sold in supermarkets. Avoid consuming fatty, fried foods, margarine, food additives, caffeine (strong tea and coffee).
As you know, pregnant and lactating women are allowed not to fast if they fear for their health. But some still decide and keep the fast. Do you think that if a woman feels good, can she fast?
I think that if the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) allowed women not to fast during pregnancy and breastfeeding, then there is a good reason for this. As a doctor, I would recommend taking the issue of urine seriously, especially during the hot summer months, when there is a high risk of dehydration not only for the mother, but also for the fetus. After all, you can focus on other components of fasting - cleansing the soul and mind.
Participation in charity is encouraged. After all, even in our time, how many people around us are starving! But every Muslim woman is free to make her own decision. And everything is the will of Allah.
At the end of the fast, do you need to somehow gradually change your diet and daily routine, or can you immediately return to your usual schedule?
From my own experience, I will say that it is difficult to immediately return to the usual schedule, but within a few days, as a rule, everything returns to normal. It should be noted here that nutrition is the most important biological factor on which the development of all functions of the human body largely depends. No wonder they say: a person is what he eats. And the main thing is to observe moderation in food, not only during the fast season. The prohibition of excess in food is contained in the verse of the Koran:
“...eat and drink, but do not excess” (7:31).
If such a diet becomes the norm for a person, then he will maintain his health and the stress will be easier to bear.
I asked
EKATERINA CHUBAROVA,
correspondent for Muslim Magazine.
Question: Is it possible to fast if I do not pray?
Answer: Yes, you can. Since fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Insha Allah, your fast will be accepted by the Almighty.
Question: What should you say before suhoor?
Answer: Intention of fasting (niyyat):
“Navaitu an-asuuma sauma shakhri ramadaan minyal-fajri ilal-magribi haalisan lillayahi tya’aala.”
Translation: “I intend to fast the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset sincerely for the sake of Allah Almighty.”
Question: What should you say before breaking the fast (iftar)?
Answer: Words that a fasting person says when breaking his fast (iftar):
“Allahumma lakya sumtu wa bikya amantu wa alaikya tawakkyaltu wa ‘ala ryzkykya aftartu fagfirli ya gaffaru ma kaddamtu va ma akhhartu”
Translation: “O Allah! For Your sake I kept the fast, I believed in You and I only trust in You, I break my fast with what You sent me. Forgive, O Forgiver of my sins, past and future!)" (Ibn Majah, Syyam, 48; Darakutni, II/185)."
Question: What is the best thing to do while fasting?
Answer: You should show zeal in worship, give alms, do good to people, read the Koran. If it is possible to take a vacation during fasting, it is better to do so in order to have more time to arrive at the mosque with the intention of worshiping the Almighty.
Question: How important is it to take suhoor? If I slept through suhoor and didn’t eat or drink anything during the day, wouldn’t this be considered a violation?
Answer: If you do not get up in the morning for Suhoor, this does not break your fast. The main condition is that you cannot eat or drink before iftar. But try not to skip suhoor.
During Ramadan, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) hurried to break the fast himself and encouraged others to do the same. In addition, he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged people to take food before dawn and, if possible, to do so just before dawn.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Suhur is a blessed time all the time, so don’t miss it, and let each of you drink at least a sip of water, for truly, Allah and His angels bless those who eat or drink before dawn” (Ahmad).
Question: Is it important to rush to break the fast?
Answer:
“Everyone will be fine as long as they hurry to break their fast.” (Al Bukhari no. 1957, Muslim no. 1098)
Question: What is the best way to break your fast?
Answer: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever has dates, let him break his fast with them, and whoever doesn’t have them, let him break his fast with water, for it purifies.” (Ahmad No. 15798, At Tirmidhi No. 695, Abu Dawud No. 2355)
Question: Is it possible to eat after Fajr prayer before sunrise?
Answer: After Fajr prayer, you cannot eat. It is necessary to stop eating 10 minutes before dawn.
“Eat and drink until you can distinguish the white thread of dawn from the black one, and then fast until nightfall.” (Quran 2:187)
Question: If, out of forgetfulness, I ate food and drank water during the day, is my fast broken?
Answer: Eating food and water out of forgetfulness does not break the fast. As soon as you remember that you are fasting, you need to immediately stop eating.
There is a hadith of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:
“Whoever ate or drank while forgetting, let him continue his fast, for it was Allah who fed him and gave him something to drink.” (Al-Bukhari no. 6669)
Question: Is it possible to fast continuously, for example, 2 days in a row, without breaking the fast?
Answer: No you can not.
Abu Sa'id (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:
“Do not fast continuously, and whoever of you wants to do this, let him break his fast before dawn (the next day).” (Al Bukhari No. 1963)
Question: Is it possible to fast for several days? For example, 3 days at the beginning and 3 days at the end?
Answer: No, this is prohibited.
“In the month of Ramadan, the Qur'an was revealed - a right guide for people, clear evidence of right guidance and discernment. Whoever this month finds among you must fast.” (Quran 2:185)
Question: During fasting, I am sent on a business trip to another city. Can I pause my fast?
Answer: Allah has allowed the traveler to stop fasting even if he does not experience any difficulties during the journey. At the end of the fast, you will need to make up the missed days. The Almighty said:
“And if anyone is sick or on a journey, then let him fast for the same number of days at other times. Allah desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you." (Quran 2:185)
Question: Can I keep a fast even though I am going on a business trip to another city?
Answer: Yes, you can.
Hamza ibn Amr al-Aslami, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:
“O Messenger of Allah, I feel that I have enough strength to fast while traveling, so will it be a sin on me if I do this?” The Prophet said: “This is a permission (relaxation) from Allah, and whoever takes advantage of it will do well, and whoever wishes to fast, there is no sin on him.” (Muslim No. 1891)
Question: Is it possible to undergo circumcision (wedding, etc.) during Lent?
Answer: Yes, during the fasting period, you can circumcise your child (celebrate a wedding, etc.). But in this case, you need to move the holiday treat to the evening (after breaking the fast).
Question: Is it possible to exercise during fasting?
Answer: Yes, you can, but do not forget that during fasting it is already difficult for the body, try not to burden it. It is advisable to take a break during the fasting period.
Question: Is it possible to swallow saliva while fasting?
Answer: Swallowing saliva does not spoil the fast. But you cannot deliberately “accumulate” saliva and swallow it, as this spoils the fast.
Question: Can I chew chewing gum?
Answer: No you can not. Chewing gum contains sugar (or a substitute).
In addition, when chewed on an empty stomach, chewing gum stimulates the production of gastric juice, which contributes to the development of gastritis or exacerbation of peptic ulcers.
Question: Is it possible to use creams during fasting?
Answer: Yes, you can. The main thing is that you do not ingest them.
Question: Is it possible to brush your teeth with toothpaste during fasting without swallowing saliva?
Answer: The use of toothpaste is permissible, but is considered makrooh. When using toothpaste, saliva is not swallowed until the taste has passed. Getting toothpaste into the stomach breaks the fast. You need to rinse your mouth thoroughly and be extremely careful. It is better and safer to use miswak. The latter is Sunnah.
Question: My teeth have been bleeding often lately, and I collect saliva and spit it out, sometimes I forget to swallow it. Is the fast broken because of this and what can be done?
Answer: The fast does not spoil, but there is no need to swallow blood on purpose. We recommend that you be extremely careful.
Question: Is smoking during the day allowed during Lent?
Answer: No, it is not allowed.
Question: Is it permissible to consume nasvay during Lent?
Answer: No, it is not allowed. Since this applies to intoxicating substances.
Question: Is it possible to take a shower or bath while fasting?
Answer: Possible, as needed. Be careful.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to brush his teeth with a misiwak and pour water on his head while fasting. The companions saw how during fasting he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, poured water on his head to escape thirst or heat. (Ahmad No. 15473, Abu Dawud No. 2365)
Question: Is it possible to simply rinse your mouth and nose during fasting?
Answer: Rinsing the mouth and clearing the nose with water does not break the fast, even if it is not done during ablution. If you swallow water, then the fast is broken and must be replaced.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Rinse your nose well (deeply), except when you are fasting.” (At-Tirmidhi, 788)
Question: Is it possible to cut nails and hair during fasting?
Answer: You can trim your nails and hair. It is best to do this before complete ablution.
Question: During the fast, during the day, I had sexual intercourse with my wife. Now 1 day is interrupted. How can I restore it?
Answer: The fast of a person who has sexual intercourse during the day during Ramadan is broken, and he must make up for this day of fasting by continuously fasting for 2 months, and if this is beyond his strength, then he must feed 60 poor people. (This is stated in the hadith from Abu Hureyra (may Allah be pleased with him). Al Bukhari No. 6087,6164. Muslim No. 1111)
If sexual intercourse occurred out of forgetfulness (without the intention of breaking the fast), then in this case the fast is not considered broken. As soon as you realize that you are fasting, you need to interrupt sexual intercourse.
Question: Is it possible for spouses to have sexual intercourse during fasting, at night (after breaking the fast)?
Answer: Yes
“It is permissible for you to be intimate with your wives on the night of fasting (for) they are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them” (Quran 2:187)
Question: Is it possible to hug and kiss your wife (husband) during fasting?
Answer: Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said:
“During the fast, the Prophet often hugged and kissed (his wives, however), he controlled himself better than any of you.” (Al Bukhari No. 1927)
Question: During fasting I ejaculated, does this spoil my fast?
Answer: In case of unintentional ejaculation, the fast is not broken. You need to do complete ablution (ghusul).
Question: What should I do if my menstrual cycle begins during fasting?
Answer: You need to break your fast. A hadith narrated by Abu Saeed al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, says:
“Doesn’t she give up prayer and fasting when she starts menstruating?” (Al-Bukhari, no. 1951, Muslim no. 889)
After the menstrual period, a woman must make up for the missed days of fasting.
Question: What should a nursing mother do during fasting?
Answer: According to the most correct opinion, a woman who is pregnant or nursing is considered as one who is sick, so she is allowed not to fast, and she must only make up the missed days, whether she fears for herself or for the child. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Allah has made the duty of fasting and part of the prayer easier for a traveler, and He has made the duty of fasting easier for pregnant and lactating women.” (at-Tirmidhi, 3/85, he said - this is a hasan hadith)
Question: I feel unwell, can I break my fast?
Answer: If on some days it is difficult for a person to fast, he is allowed to break the fast on those days. Sometimes this even becomes mandatory (for example, on the recommendation of a doctor) if fasting causes significant harm to a person. Allah Almighty saved our community from difficulties. The Almighty said:
“He has not made any difficulty for you in religion.” (Quran 22:78)
A person who breaks his fast because it was very difficult for him is obliged to make up the missed days after he feels better.
Question: What should frail people (incurable people) do?
Answer: Anyone who is not able to fast at all (that is, there is no hope that he will ever be able to fast, for example, a very old or terminally ill person) has the right not to fast, but he must feed one poor person for every day missed. Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, read the Words of the Almighty:
“And those who are able to fast with difficulty should feed the poor in atonement.” (Quran 2:184)
Question: I vomited while fasting. Is my fast broken?
Answer: Yes
“Whoever is overcome by vomiting is not obligated to make up for his fast, and whoever intentionally caused vomiting must make up for his fast.” (Ahmad No. 10085, Abu Dawud No. 2370, At Tirmidhi No. 720, Ibn Majah No. 1676)
Question: How should Eid al-Fitr be celebrated?
Answer: On Eid al-Fitr, you need to prepare festive food, invite relatives and friends. You can go visit your relatives yourself. The most important thing is to feel like it’s a holiday.
Question: I heard about an additional post after the post. What kind of post is this and how should it be kept?
Answer: Fasting for 6 days after the month of Ramadan in the month of Shawwal is Sunnah. You can fast intermittently, i.e. 2 days at the beginning, 2 days in the middle, 2 days at the end. Also fast in the usual way, i.e. from dawn to dusk, refusing food, drink, intimacy and other things that break the fast. You can start after the holiday “Uraza Bayram”.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, followed by six days of Shawwal, is equal to one who fasts the whole year.” (Muslim)
Ramadan is the holy month of obligatory fasting for Muslims, and it was during this time that the Koran was revealed to people. During this month, millions of people around the world refrain from eating food, read the Qur'an and pay obligatory charity (Zakat al-Fitr). Iftar is an evening meal that begins immediately after sunset. According to the 2009 census, 70 percent of the population in Kazakhstan is Muslim. Iskander Salikhojaev decided to tell how Oraza is kept in Kazakhstan, what they eat for iftar (the evening meal that begins immediately after sunset), and also about how best to observe fasting.
According to the Gregorian calendar there are 365 days in a year, according to the Hijri (Islamic lunar calendar) - 354, so Ramadan goes through all cycles in 33 years, shifting by ten days every year. It is easiest to keep Oraza in winter, when the days are shorter. In the hot summer, when the time from dawn to dusk is approximately 18-19 hours, only the most devoted fast. During fasting, you should completely abstain from daily intake of water and food, as well as from intimate relationships.
Ramadan, bank branch director:
– During my school and student years, I kept Oraza, but recently, due to various circumstances, I have not been able to keep the fast. It is believed that fasting is most difficult in the summer - the time between meals is 18 hours. And although I had health problems (high blood pressure), this year I decided that I would fast.
Aigerim, the wife of Ramadan, prepared manti for Iftar. These are special manti, practically fat-free, dietary. And although Aigerim does not hold Oraza herself, she wakes up every night to prepare saresi for her husband - a meal before dawn. According to the prophet, a fasting person must take saresi, if not with food, then at least with a glass of water, for there is grace in it.
Traditionally, the evening meal begins with water and dates.
“The most important thing is the right attitude,” Ramazan shares his secrets. – I recommend not to drink anything sweet, it is advisable to give preference to water and dried fruit compote. I also recommend eating dates, they give a lot of energy. Fresh salads, which are high in fiber, are also good.
– There is a misconception that you must eat a hearty meal at Iftar. But this is not so, you should not overeat, eat in the usual quantities. Consider yourself simply changing your eating schedule from day to night.
Meilan, shop manager:
– I’ve been keeping Oraza for 19 years. I started fasting as a child, it was not difficult, besides, it was in winter and only 12 hours - from 6 to 18.00. In summer, of course, it is much more difficult in terms of water and heat. But there are no particular difficulties with my current job, since I work in an air-conditioned office.
Meilana's sister made khinkali today.
Before the meal, Meylan reads the evening prayer. Muslims believe that during this holy month the jinn and the devil are bound and the gates of heaven are opened. This helps the believer overcome his own passion and educate himself morally.
Then the eldest daughter Ayat brings him dinner.
– I don’t make any special restrictions when it comes to food; I eat whatever is prepared. Of course, I try not to indulge in salty foods and fish,” says Meylan.
It’s not difficult to hold an oraza; it’s important to have the right mindset and cast aside all doubts. And most importantly, you must pronounce niyat (intention) every day that you are going to fast, sincerely, for the sake of Allah. Niyah is said between night and morning prayers.
Aini, worker:
– I came here from Tajikistan, we have unemployment in our country, and therefore many of our citizens are forced to work on construction sites in Kazakhstan and Russia.
– Oraza in Tajik will be Rose. I have been fasting for several years in a row, now I don’t even remember when I started.
– Our food is usually prepared by the owner of the house where we are doing renovations. But today we cooked it ourselves.
– For Iftar we have fried potatoes, flatbread and watermelon. Watermelon is very juicy, but not as tasty as in our homeland.
– I have a large family in Tajikistan - parents, wife and three children. My youngest daughter was born a month ago, I haven’t even seen her yet. If I were at home on Orazu, my mother would prepare me delicious pilaf and green tea with baklava. But here we have to eat right at the construction site. This is a test we must pass.
– We work for a long time under the scorching sun, and therefore it is very difficult to keep the fast: you sweat a lot and feel thirsty. But I found a way out - I douse myself with water two or three times a day right in my clothes. This is not prohibited, the main thing is not to drink the water. And clothes dry quickly.
Bauyrzhan, salesman in the store:
“I tried to hold Oraza several times, but it didn’t work.” The last time I started fasting was in 2010, but then I worked in a carpentry shop and was very tired, as there was a lot of workload. One day I fainted and was told to stop fasting or I would cause harm to my health.
“This time, I think I’ll succeed.” At first I doubted it, but after the first week I got used to it.
Bauyrzhan’s mother cooked pilaf today and bought tandoor samsa.
– I know that in some Islamic countries, during the month of Ramadan, a special schedule has been introduced for workers - they work half a day or do not work at all. But we have a secular state, so this is impossible - they will immediately fire you.
Vyacheslav (Mahmud), a gas-electric welder, has been holding Orazu for the fifth year:
– In one of the hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad said: “There are two joys in this world. The first is when a person is in a hurry to make iftar, and the second is the reward for holding Oraza.” Oraza is good in everything, it is the mercy of the Almighty, the forgiveness of sins. And it is also very good for health.
– I start Iftar with water and dates, preferably the water should be melted. After freezing, it has a special taste, softer and fresher, like new. It is also advisable to eat talkan (crushed millet), it is very well absorbed by the body, and it is easy for a person to tolerate Oraza.
– The most important thing is with what intention a person holds Oraza. He must understand that he is doing this not because his father or everyone around him did it, but to gain the mercy of the Almighty. When this realization comes, it will be easy to hold Oraza.
Dinara, journalist. Orazu has been holding for more than 10 years:
– Many people are mistaken in believing that fasting only means not eating food. It seems to me that there is a deeper meaning in this - it is spiritual cleansing, summing up and rethinking the results of the year, fighting one’s weaknesses and vices. And most importantly, fasting is maintained for the sake of Allah. If a person performs hajj or namaz for himself, then he holds Oraza for the sake of the Almighty.
During Ramadan, after meals and night prayer, an additional tarawih prayer is performed, consisting of 8 or 20 rak'ahs.
– For me, the onset of the month of Ramadan is a holiday that you look forward to. It is gratifying to see many young people in mosques who come to taraweeh (prayer). It is especially pleasant that now almost all mosques have created conditions for women, and there are separate places for prayer.
Today relatives invited Dinara to auyzashar. During the month of Ramadan, people, even those who do not observe Eid, hold ayzashar in their homes and invite friends and neighbors.
Despite the fact that 70% of the population is Muslim, most people have little understanding of the intricacies of Sharia law. Along with those who fast, those who do not fast are also called, which is erroneous.
In Kazakhstan, it is a widespread practice to give auyzashar on behalf of businessmen, akims, and even the president. It is believed that the one who gives the auyzashar receives a reward equal to that received by the one holding the Orazu. Fasting has great social significance, since at this time wealthy people remember people in need and help them. Many mosques set tables with free food.
Ramadan ends with the three-day holiday of Eid al-Adha. Muslims and their families go to the mosque for Eid prayer. All three days in each house, guests are greeted by generously laid tables. These days, alms are distributed and all Muslims ask each other for forgiveness for past grievances.
If you find an error in the text, highlight it with the mouse and press Ctrl+Enter
Oraza is a Muslim fast. Can be performed on any day except holidays (Eid al-Adha, Kurban Bayram). During the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (Ramadan), Muslims are required to fast. The length of the month is 29 or 30 days and depends on the lunar calendar. The fast begins at dawn and ends after sunset.
No. 2. Why should a Muslim fast during the holy month of Ramadan?
The month of obligatory fasting for Muslims is one of the five pillars of Islam.
The five pillars of Islam are: Shahada, Salah, Oraza, Zakat and Hajj. Shahada is a declaration of faith containing a confession of monotheism and recognition of the prophetic mission of Muhammad. Namaz - five daily prayers. Oraza is a fast during the month of Ramadan. Zakat is an obligatory donation, a religious tax for the benefit of those in need. Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca. During the month of Ramadan, devout Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and intimacy during the daytime. The complete renunciation of simple human needs, even on the hottest and most grueling days, provides an opportunity for Muslims to demonstrate the strength of their faith. During fasting, they strive to curb their instincts and passions. In addition to external purity, during this month the fasting person tries to strictly observe internal purity - liberation from all thoughts and actions that defile a person. Muslims believe that observing spiritual and physical fasting during the month of Ramadan has an extremely positive effect on their souls.
No. 3. Is Muslim fasting harmful?
Doctors believe that it is not harmful. For example, night meals are usually moderate, and it is easier for the stomach to cope with them. By getting used to a small amount of food, the digestive system begins to work better, and the body is cleansed of toxins.
Muslim fasting is quite flexible and is based on the fact that human life and health are the most valuable to God. Therefore, if there is a risk to your health, fasting is not recommended. In the first place on the list are travelers, pregnant and lactating women and children (in general, up to seven years, but imams do not recommend such a diet for a growing body). Also, sick people should not fast - those who need to constantly take medications and need a normal daily routine and diet. Whether you can fast should be determined by your attending physician. At the same time, travelers and sick people are obliged to make up the missed days after the end of the fast.
No. 5. What are iftar and suhur?
Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, and Iftar, the evening breaking of the fast during Ramadan, replace the traditional three meals a day. Suhur is performed before Fajr prayer, before dawn. Iftar - in the evening after sunset. At the same time, night meals are the duty of a fasting Muslim; they belong to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. Every day, before fasting, Muslims pronounce an intention approximately in the following form: “I intend to fast tomorrow (today) for the month of Ramadan, for the sake of Allah.”
No. 6. How to get into the mood, and what is best to eat during the evening meal?
During iftar it is very important not to overeat. Because, firstly, it is advisable for you to sleep after it (especially if you have to go to work in the morning), and secondly, after it you will have to pray for an hour and a half, which is difficult with a full stomach. Prophet Muhammad broke his fast with a date and washed it down with plenty of water. Doctors support this way of eating and add that you can eat a couple of other dried fruits along with the date - the main thing is to chew them for a long time and thoroughly. They will curb the beastly appetite and then you can start a normal dinner. Beshbarmak, beloved by fasting Kazakhs, is canceled - doctors recommend soups of all types and in small quantities. During iftar, more liquid is vitally important - the body, exhausted during the day, will absorb it like a sponge, restoring the water balance.
No. 7. What is the best thing to eat during your morning meal?
Your morning meal should fill you up for as long as possible. Therefore, you can have beshbarmak, pilaf, and other hearty dishes here, but only if you don’t go to bed after it. In any case, you shouldn't overeat either. Doctors' recommendation: it is better to eat porridge for breakfast, even if breakfast is at four in the morning. Preference is given to corn and millet - they take a very long time to digest, saturating the body with essential microelements.
No. 8. How to minimize the effects of heat and avoid dehydration?
Unfortunately, nothing can be done about the heat, and nothing can be done about dehydration. Therefore, doctors have only one recommendation: fasting people should not spend a lot of time in the heat, especially in the open sun. If you really cannot avoid the street, stay in the shade, be sure to wear a hat and carry a bottle of water with you - rinse your mouth and wash your face if you feel overheated. You will have to drink from it if it gets really bad. Air conditioning and a cool shower will help you cool down and last until the evening. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to catch a cold. Another tip for relief during the day: Avoid salty and sweet foods during Iftar and Suhoor. Salt and sugar remove fluid from the body and increase feelings of thirst and hunger.
No. 9. Can I take medications while fasting?
If you need a course of treatment, your doctor will solve the problem with taking medications. And if you have a headache, you will have to wait until sunset and only then take the pill. Any medications should enter the body with plenty of water; you should not choke on tablets dry, especially since it’s not far from an ulcer.
No. 10. After what signals from the body should you immediately stop fasting?
If your head is dizzy and unbearably painful, your vision is dark, vomiting does not stop, your legs can’t hold up, and your whole body aches and you have no strength, it’s better to go to the doctor. This may also be a temporary phenomenon - for example, due to pressure changes in the atmosphere. Or it could be a sign of a serious illness. In any case, prepare for the fact that all your chronic diseases will make themselves felt during fasting.
No. 11. How to break fast without harming your body?
There are no special recommendations here, because fasting is not fasting. But there is a basic rule that should always be followed, especially when it comes to food. This is moderation. Don't jump straight into a three-course meal: your digestive system may not be able to handle such a belly-fest. It’s better to pull yourself together, divide your meals into five times and teach yourself to eat right.