Understanding and Correcting Common Misconceptions About Ramadan
Clarification of Common Misunderstandings Related to Ramadan
(1) There is a misunderstanding among people that there is a specific prayer for keeping the fast, whereas this is not the case. Only the intention (niyyah) is required for fasting, and it is recommended to have a pre-dawn meal (suhoor).
(2) Some people think that if one experiences wet dreams (ihtilam) during fasting, it invalidates the fast. As a result, if someone has a wet dream during the day, they mistakenly break their fast, which is a significant error. Wet dreams do not invalidate the fast; one should simply perform ghusl (ritual purification).
(3) Some believe that one cannot eat suhoor while in a state of janabah (impurity). This is also incorrect. One can eat suhoor while in a state of impurity, but should perform ghusl before Fajr to be able to pray Fajr in congregation.
(4) It is prohibited to have sexual relations with one’s spouse while fasting. However, joking and kissing are permissible as long as there is no risk of sexual relations occurring. Sexual relations can take place at night.
(5) A woman can breastfeed her child while fasting; this does not invalidate the fast.
(6) During fasting, one can use non-nutritive injections, nasal drops, ear drops, and eye drops, as well as low-impact ointments. It is better to delay these actions until after sunset.
(7) Engaging in conversation with a non-mahram woman, watching movies, listening to music, playing cards, or wasting time on cricket, etc., does not invalidate the fast. However, these activities are not only prohibited during fasting but are also forbidden at all times.
(8) Swallowing saliva does not invalidate the fast, but one should spit out phlegm as it may contain illness.
(9) Some women believe that not wearing hijab invalidates the fast. This is also incorrect. However, it is important to note that hijab is obligatory for women at all times, and the issue of modesty is not related to the validity of the fast.
(10) Generally, people’s behavior during Ramadan suggests that goodness in Islam is only associated with Ramadan. However, goodness is always goodness, and evil is always evil. Therefore, Muslims should continue to strive for goodness and avoid evil even after Ramadan.
(11) Smoking cigarettes is a cause for both the invalidation of the fast and is considered sinful, as it affects the body.
(12) Exercising caution during iftar (breaking the fast) is a violation of Shariah. This mistake is commonly found among the Hanafi and Barelvi schools.
(13) It is widely believed that the veil between the servant and the Lord is lifted at the time of iftar. There is no truth to this; it is not mentioned in any authentic hadith.
(14)Misconception: Specific supplications are required for each two rak’ahs of Tarawih prayer. Clarification: There is no specific supplication mandated after every two rak’ahs of Tarawih. It is better to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in this regard.
(15) It is also not proven by any authentic hadith that those who die during Ramadan will not be held accountable and will enter Paradise without reckoning. There is a hadith that states that whoever fasts for the sake of Allah and dies in that state will enter Paradise. (Ahmad: 22813)
(16) Some people wait for Ramadan to give zakat, which is incorrect. Zakat is related to the nisab (minimum amount) and the completion of the year. Once the nisab is reached, zakat should be given as soon as the year is completed; delaying it for Ramadan is not correct. If the year ends in Ramadan or Shawwal, some advance zakat can be given. However, many acts of charity can be performed during this month, as proven from the Prophet ﷺ.
(17) Giving charity on the 27th night is considered by some to be special. This implies that the 27th night is the only night of Laylat al-Qadr, while this night shifts every year. It can be on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th night. Engaging in acts of worship during these nights is highly rewarding. Charity is also an act of worship, so one should give charity on all these nights without limiting it to the 27th night to increase the chances of attaining Laylat al-Qadr.
(18) At the end of Ramadan, it is common for everyone to ask how much the fitrana (charity given at the end of Ramadan) is this year, as if they have equated the amount with fitrana. The actual fitrana is fixed at 2.25 kg of grain. The person giving fitrana can give 2.25 kg of any type of grain. Some scholars who set a rate are often calculating beforehand.
Author: Maqbool Ahmad Salafi hafizahullah
Translator: Fuzail Siddiqui