Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, the Grand Mufti at the (IACAD), says: It is certainly empathetic of the Christian community members to share the experience in this month of tolerance and only indicates their brotherhood towards all Muslims.
However, the fasting or the prayer cannot be accepted in Islam as the individual is not Muslim or accepts this religion as his own.
It is to be known that the condition of worship in Islam is to believe in the religion first.
What is the Shariah law for watching TV serials, which may contain certain risqué images, during Ramadan?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, says:
"It is not permissible for a Muslim to watch such TV series. This should not be only in Ramadan, but during the rest of the year as well.
In Ramadan, people fasting and watching such serials will surely spoil their fast. The Muslim who is fasting during Ramadan should devote his time to worship and reading the Quran."
Does smoking break the fast? What of the argument that smoke does not enter the abdomen and so is allowed?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:
"Smoke inhalation – even entering the mouth or nose is invalidating the fast. We have evidence from the Hadith of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). Smoking is a violation of the sanctity of fasting, because it risks entry into the stomach."
What is the Shariah law for personal grooming - like cutting one’s nails or getting a hair-cut during fasting?
This has nothing to do with the fast, so it is permissible to cut one’s hair during fasting.
Is there a specific food to be eaten at suhoor? Are some foods not recommended to be eaten?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:
"A person may eat any food at suhoor unless it is forbidden. Muslim scholars throughout the history have not spoken about certain foods that should be eaten for suhoor, but they have stressed that Muslims can eat anything except what is forbidden. It is preferable to eat dates and milk. The Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) said the best food for suhoor is dates.|
What is the rule for fasting before purification? What if a person is ‘unclean’ from the previous night, but did not wake up to be washed and purified. Can they directly continue fasting?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:
"Purity (washing) is not a condition for the validity of fasting, but is a condition for prayer and if s/he wakes up and is not clean during the day of Ramadan or any other day, and is fasting, the fast is valid. S/he should wash directly after waking up.
"But one should avoid committing sin, especially not waking up for the Fajr prayer."
Q) What is the Shariah law as regards physical contact with husband and/or wife during the fasting period of Ramadan?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:
"Physical contact that causes any kind of arousal during the fasting period of Ramadan should be stopped immediately. There is nothing wrong with physical or verbal contact with a spouse as long as it does not lead to any violation of the rules of fasting.
A Muslim must keep away from desires that may spoil his/her fast."
Q) What is the ruling of Shariah in case a Muslim has intercourse with his wife during Ramadan?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:
“It is forbidden during the day of Ramadan, and penetration will sure break the fast and it is forbidden.
“You must hold on eating and drinking the rest of the day, and the (Kafarah) atonement is the expiation of committing the sin of the intercourse during Ramadan. He should fast for two consecutive months, and if one cannot, then he must feed 60 poor persons.
“The Maalikis have given the choice to the violator: The choice between emancipation and fasting for two consecutive months and feeding is better for him.”
Q) Does sputum break the fast if swallowed?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:
"Most of the scholars said If sputum was swallowed during the fasting deliberately, the fast will be invalid and on the contrary, the Malkai Mathahb do not believe that phlegm invalidates the fast and Muslims should complete their fasting."
Q) How should Muslims react when they see non-Muslims eat or drink during Ramadan?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:
“Non-Muslims living in Muslim countries must respect the beliefs of Muslims.
“They should respect the feelings of Muslims and shouldn’t eat or drink in front of those who fast. However, patients or those travelling are allowed to eat and drink.
Abu Saeed Al Khudri had heard the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) say, ‘Whoever of you sees an evil must then change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then [he must change it ] with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his heart. And that is the slightest [effect of] faith.”
Q) The sighting of the moon signals the beginning of Ramadan. Which Muslim country is assisted by its geographical location on the sighting of the moon first?
Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai (IACAD), says:
"There is no Islamic country that has priority over any other in sighting of the moon, but if scientists agree that one country is the right one to see the moon first, obviously, because of the quality of its terrain or weather conditions or otherwise, in such a case we don’t find any problem in following such a country. This has never happened like this until now.
The moon must be seen with the mere eyes and should followed the Hadith of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).
Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: “Whenever you sight the New Moon of the month of Ramadan observe the fast and when you sight the New Moon of Shawwal break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe the fast for 30 days.”
This means Muslims all over the world should not rely on astronomers, though they may be referred to .
[Home page image via Shutterstock]
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