Ramadan Day 5: The categories of Muslims exempted from fasting

Ramadan Day 5: The categories of Muslims exempted from fasting

Editor's note: Muslims all over the world are expected to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan.

Legit.ng looks at the category of Muslims exempted from fasting and how they can compensate for the missed fast.

The holy month of Ramadan is when Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days. Beyond not eating and drinking during this period, Muslims also abstain from sexual activities during the day while also dedicating a large amount of time to praying and reading of the Holy Quran as a way of getting closer to Almighty Allah.

READ ALSO: Ramadan Day 3: How to complete the entire Quran during Ramadan

Although there are lots of religious activities associated with the month of Ramadan, the core aspect of it the abstinence from eating and drinking during the aforementioned period.

Before we examine the categories of Muslims who are exempted from fasting, we need to know those who are enjoined to fast.

Allah says in Surat Baqarah, (Chapter 2) verses 183 to 185: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous –

"[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.

"The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful."

In clear terms, anyone who is an adult specifically at the attainment of puberty which is somewhere around the age of 11 to 14 is enjoined to fast.

Who are the Muslims exempted from fasting?

Children

Pregnant women

Breastfeeding mothers

Ill people

The mentally-challenged

Travellers on a journey

Women going through menstrual circle

Old people

How do you compensate for missing your fast?

People who temporarily are unable to fast but can do so at a latter period re expected to pay back the fast after Ramadan, For example, someone who is ill during Ramadan can make up for it by completing the missed days after Ramadan.

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In the case of an old person who is unable to fast or someone who has a permanent sickness like AIDS, the person is expected to feed one poor person for the number of missed days. This can be done either by providing food or the monetary equivalent which is about N2000 per day.

In the case of someone who deliberately misses or breaks the Ramadan fast, the person has to compensate for it by either fasting continuously for 60 days or feed 60 poor people for each broken or missed fast which is about N122,000.

May Allah make this Ramadan fasting easy for us and may we reap all the rewards for engaging in it.

Source: Legit.ng

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