One can intend on the first eve of Ramadhan to fast for the whole month...

One can intend on the first eve of Ramadhan to fast for the whole month, or can make the intention daily for that particular day, but before dawn breaks. The intention should be to fast from fair (a little before dawn breaks) till Maghrib (a little after sunset). Thus, fasting will cover the entire period of the day, beginning at dawn till the redness of the dusk disappears in the east. During this time one should abstain from eating, drinking and all other acts which break fasting.

The end of the day comes a little after sunset. Sunset is not determined by the mere disappearance of the sun's orb, but the disappearance of the redness of the dusk in the east. Actions Which Make The Fast Invalid Eating or drinking anything in any quantity. Sexual intercourse. Any sexual activity that leads to ejaculation. Attributing a lie to Allah, the Holy Prophet or the Imams (peace be upon them). Allowing heavy dust or thick smoke (including tobacco) reach one's throat.

Submerging one's entire head in water. Remaining in need of obligatory bathing for janabah,* haydh (menstruation) or nifas* up to the time of the morning adhan. Taking a liquid enema. Intentional vomiting. * The state resulting from sexual intercourse with or without ejaculation. or seminal discharge while awake or asleep. * Bleeding that occurs after childbirth or abortion.

CLARIFICATIONS: If a person commits intentionally and willingly an act which breaks the fast, that day's fast will be considered invalid, but the fast is valid if the action committed was unintentional or involuntary. If one breaKs fast after merely being threatened, that fast is considered invalid and must be compensated later. A fasting person can swallow the saliva gathered in the mouth, but nasal discharge and frothy sputum must be spitted out.

To rinse mouth during ablutions is allowed and while doing if the water slips unintentionally down into the throat it will not break the fast. Taking of injection in the muscles or veins is permitted as also using of medicinal drops in ears or eyes is allowed. Brushing of teeth is permitted, provided the froth or saliva does not enter the throat. EXEMPTIONS FROM FASTING Islam is called a natural religion.

In other words, its laws unlike other creeds have logic and reason behind them and divine providence has fashioned them according to the nature of man and woman. It has no hard and fast rules for all age groups ignoring the state, or circumstances of the individual concerned.