The Obligation of Fasting
Q: Upon whom is fasting during Ramadhaan compulsory?
Ramadhaan & Fasting
Discharging fidyah for the deceased and settling his debts
Q: My father passed away recently. My parents were divorced since I was 7 years old. We would only meet as a family a few times a year, so now that he is gone, we are left with questions.
1. If he did not fast due to diabetes, how do we pay fidyah for him? We do not even know the number of days/months/years he did not fast throughout his 64 years of life. Is there an average or estimated amount that we should pay?
2. We understand that wealth can only be distributed after paying off the deceased’s debts. However, what happens if the deceased does not have any wealth? What if the debt is too large an amount for the children to bear? Is there a guideline to this?
Qadha for fasts broken through masturbating during Ramadhaan
Q: If a person masturbates in Ramadhaan while fasting, should he give kaffarah or keep qadha?
Also, what should one do if he has doubt as to how many times he committed this heinous sin? Should he think of a reasonable number and pay kaffarah/keep qadha for that number of days?
Is it compulsory to make a verbal intention to fast?
Q: What is the status of my fast if I did not make a verbal intention? I simply knew in my mind that I am keeping a Ramadhaan fast.
Eating in front of someone who is fasting
Q: Is it permissible to eat and drink in front of someone who is fasting?
How to decide if one cannot fast
Q: I don't know if fasting will harm me or the baby, my elders tell me not to. I do have anaemia and we live in a very hot country, how should I decide?
Inhaling smoke from incense sticks while fasting
Q: Does incense burning (bukhoor) and inhaling the scent break fast?
Swallowing phlegm while fasting
Q: If one swallowed phlegm or saliva (without the intention of quenching one's thirst), will the fast be nullified?
Intercourse with one's wife during the day in the month of Ramadhaan
Q: Last Ramadhaan I indulged in a major sin unknowingly. One day I was not well and I had not fasted on that day and I had sex with my wife during the day not knowing that whether you fast or not you cannot have sex in the day. Please suggest what to do now.
Is it necessary to make a verbal intention for qadha fasts?
Q: I'm replacing my qadha fasts. I fasted for five days consecutively but sometimes I forget to make the intention although I know that I'm replacing my qadha. Should I fast again for the days that I didn't make intention verbally?