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What is Ramadan? -

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It's a period when those who observe the Islamic faith abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

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Is fasting dangerous? -

A big misconception is that fasting is not safe. Ramadan lasts from 29 to 30 days, but fasting is only observed between pre-sunrise to sunset. Going without food or drink anywhere from 12 to 18 hours, depending on where in the world one is, is not considered a danger to health.

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Does brushing one's teeth break the fast? -

Many scholars agree that brushing your teeth does not break the fast. Using a minimal amount of preferably flavorless toothpaste is desirable. One must just be careful not to swallow anything.

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How about a miswak? -

The more cautious use a miswak, a teeth-cleaning chewing twig from the Salvadora persica (arak) tree, that has been used for thousands of years to clean and brush teeth.

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Can one gargle? -

One of the eight steps of ablution includes the rinsing of the mouth. Gargling is not recommended, as there's a good chance of swallowing water. Instead, one should rinse and spit out straight away.

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Can one swallow one's own saliva? -

Swallowing one's own saliva does not invalidate the fast.

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Can bodily fluids be exchanged? -

What is not permitted during Ramadan is the exchange of bodily fluids with another person.

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Is all the emphasis on food and drink? -

Ramadan is not all about avoiding food and drink. So-called "sins of the tongue," which include backbiting, swearing, or gossiping, are discouraged during daylight hours.

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Can one smoke during Ramadan? -

No. Those observing Ramadan must abstain from smoking.

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Is one supposed to sleep all day? -

One is not supposed to sleep away their fast. Ramadan is about being active during daylight hours while exerting a little self-control.

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Can one work and fast? -

Fasting doesn't mean someone is unable to work. While not eating or drinking during the day can be challenging, keeping occupied can in some ways make observing Ramadan easier by providing a focus away from seeking sustenance.

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Can one study and fast? -

Similarly, Muslims can still study and sit exams during Ramadan, and are encouraged to do so. Some achieve this by switching topics every hour or so, because fasting can make it difficult to focus on one subject for long periods of time.

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Can one take medication? -

According to the Ramadan Health fact sheet issued by the Muslim Council of Britain, eye drops, ear drops, injections, and urethral infusions are among the medications that do not break the fast.

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Can blood be taken? -

It's also permissible to take blood, via fingerprick or intravenously.

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Is oral medication allowed? -

No. Oral and nasal medication, including inhalers, would invalidate the fast. That said, fasting is only expected of those who are medically fit (more on that to follow).

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Is fighting allowed? -

Fighting or any kind of altercation must be avoided during Ramadan.

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Accidentally breaking one's fast -

Does accidentally eating or drinking break one's fast? Not necessarily. The fast is still considered valid if one stops immediately after realizing the error.

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Consumption that's deemed avoidable -

In other circumstances, such as accidently swallowing water while rinsing the mouth when performing ablution before prayer, the fast becomes void.

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Who's exempt from fasting? -

One of the most common myths about Ramadan is that one has to fast no matter what. But in Islam, fasting is considered obligatory only for those who are medically fit and have reached the age of puberty, which varies from person to person but is usually about 15 years of age.

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Other reasons for not observing Ramadan -

Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or entering their menstrual cycle are exempt from fasting.

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The elderly do not have to fast -

The elderly and frail are not expected to fast during Ramadan if by doing so their health is compromised.

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Does serious illness exempt one from fasting? -

Yes. The chronically ill are not expected to observe Ramadan.

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Is one likely to overindulge after sunset? -

Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during Ramadan. Often presented as a 20-course feast, the meal is taken just after the call to the Maghrib prayer, which is around sunset. Surprisingly, many find that they are not as hungry as they thought.

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Is the suhur supposed to be a large feast? -

While it can constitute a humongous spread, suhur (the meal that opens the fast, just before sunrise) is very often served as a few simple plates of cereal, eggs, and fruit.

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Is fasting to empathize with the poor? -

While fasting is indeed a way of learning about the hardships of the poor, the principle aim of Ramadan is to increase spirituality and religious observance through longer prayers and self-control.

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Does Ramadan bring Muslims closer to God? -

Yes. Muslims also fast to help them gain greater taqwa, or God-consciousness. In fact, Ramadan is seen as an opportunity to replenish one's spirituality.

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Can Ramadan help one lose weight? -

Probably not. Losing weight isn't the main goal of Ramadan. In any case, the calorie consumption for iftar and suhur means shedding a few is unlikely. Furthermore, eating large meals so close to bedtime is not conducive to slimming down.

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Does one still pray during Ramadan? -

Fasting during Ramadan while not praying is unacceptable.

Sources: (National Library of Medicine) (Islam Question & Answer) (Study International) (Muslim Council of Britain)

See also: Common misconceptions about different world religions

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