Regulations of Purity During Ramadan
The term “purity,” in its linguistic sense, signifies cleanliness and the absence of dirt or impurities. In a technical sense, it refers to the actions that permit the performance of prayer; for instance, performing ablution (wudu) to purify oneself from minor impurities such as urination and defecation, and taking a full ritual washing (ghusl) to purify oneself from major impurities like menstruation, postpartum bleeding, and sexual impure states.
Generally, the rulings regarding purity in Ramadan do not differ from those in other months, particularly concerning purification from minor impurities, as these are not prerequisites for maintaining a valid fast. However, purification from major impurities is a requirement for fasting, and it is essential for Muslims to understand the related rulings.
Purification from Menstruation and Postpartum Bleeding in Ramadan
A woman who is menstruating or experiencing postpartum bleeding is not permitted to fast, whether her fasting is obligatory, such as during Ramadan, or voluntary. She is required to make up for the missed days after she becomes pure. If a woman becomes pure before dawn, she must fast; however, if she becomes pure during the daytime, irrespective of whether it is at the beginning or the end of the day, she must break her fast and cannot continue for that day, even if her purification occurs shortly after dawn.
Furthermore, a woman who becomes pure before dawn, even for a moment, is obligated to perform a ritual bath (ghusl). It is acceptable if she bathes after dawn, as this will suffice, given that bathing is not a condition for the validity of fasting. Once a menstruating or postpartum woman becomes pure, her status is akin to that of a person in a state of major impurity (junub), and she is thus obligated to fast.
Purification from Sexual Intercourse During Ramadan
If a man has sexual relations with his wife during the night of one of Ramadan’s days and delays the ritual washing until after dawn, his fast remains intact and valid. However, engaging in sexual relations during the daylight hours of Ramadan invalidates the fast. The washing after night relations can be postponed.
It is also important to note the necessity of performing the ritual bath to offer prayers, particularly the Fajr (dawn) prayer. The Muslim must ensure to bathe before the Fajr prayer time expires, which is before sunrise, to be able to perform the prayer on time. Neglecting the prayer or delaying it until after its time results in a sinful action, necessitating a make-up (qada).
Purification from Wet Dreams During Ramadan
Wet dreams, characterized by a person experiencing sexual acts in their sleep often accompanied by ejaculation, do not invalidate a person’s fast, whether they occur at night or during the day. This is because such occurrences are beyond the control of the person fasting, and it is difficult to avoid them.
Since fasting is not disrupted by wet dreams, there is no requirement to make up the fast. However, a person who experiences a wet dream, whether male or female, must perform a ritual bath. Delaying the washing until the break of dawn is permissible, provided that they still perform the ritual bath before sunrise to offer the Fajr prayer.
Use of Menstrual Suppressants During Ramadan
A woman is allowed to take medication to suppress menstruation during Ramadan if she desires to fast, as purification from menstruation is fundamental for the validity of fasting, provided it does not cause her harm. In such cases, her rulings align with those who are pure, allowing her to engage in fasting, perform Tawaf, and other marital relations.
Fasting for Those Uncertain About Their Purity from Menstruation
If a woman is in doubt about whether she became pure from menstruation before or after dawn, she should fast that day and later make it up. She fasts due to the uncertainty of whether her restoration of purity occurred before dawn, while she makes up the day because the doubt arose after dawn. However, if she decides to break her fast and does not make it up, Islamic scholars have indicated that there is likely no obligation for her to provide expiation (kaffara).
Regarding the obligation to fast and the non-obligation to perform the Isha (night) prayer for a woman who is uncertain of her purification, it has been clarified that the time for the Isha prayer has lapsed. In contrast, fasting covers the entire day, so she should fast due to the sanctity of the time, similar to someone who is uncertain whether they ate before or after dawn.
Proper Method for the Ritual Bath After Major Impurity
The ritual bath is valid when performed with the intention in the heart followed by washing the entire body with water at least once. The recommended procedure for this washing includes the following steps:
- Intention for the ritual bath.
- Washing the hands three times.
- Cleaning the private parts from impurities using the right hand for pouring water and the left for washing.
- Performing a complete ablution.
- Pouring water over the head three times.
- Massaging the roots of the hair with the fingers.
- Pouring water over the body, starting from the right side without wastage.
- Changing locations and washing the feet if the place is not clean.