1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

97 Questions

If I share with someone I trust that I am fasting during a month other than Ramadan because I enjoy sharing, does that make my fast a pointless act?
Amina Inloes

You are allowed to share.
Can I still fast on the day of our class trip that is taking place during Ramadan if I will be away from home and unable to be back before the time of Zuhr prayer?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'āla

If it is outside the shar'i boundary, then you cannot fast that day.

And Allah knows best
Four years ago, I broke my Ramadan fast intentionally due to extreme thirst from biking in the sun, unaware it was a serious sin. Now that I'm Shia, I’m uncertain about how to address this past action. What steps should I take now?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Deliberate breaking the fast during the Month of Ramadan is a major sin which needs seeking forgiveness (Isteghfaar) as many times as we can as well as Qadha of that fas, with Kaffara of breaking the fast. Kaffara is either fasting two months or feeding sixty poor believers or freeing a slave (Which is not possible now a days).

Feeding sixty poor believers is by offering each of them a meal or 750 grams of food grains like rice or wheat or flour.

Wassalam.
As a recent convert to Shia Islam, do I need to observe any specific practices during Ramadan and Eid that are different from those followed by Sunnis?
Amina Inloes

Here are some differences between Sunni and Twelver Shi'i practices during Ramadan and Eid.

Ramadan:
* Shi'is usually fast a bit longer than Sunnis because the maghrib time is about 15 minutes later. Fajr time may vary slightly too. Usually Shi'is stop fasting slightly before fajr to be careful (the time is called imsak).
* Shi'is commemorate the main nights of laylat al-qadr on the 19th, 21st, and 23rd. There are specific du'as and acts of worship for these nights which you can find on duas.org. On the 19th to 21st, the martyrdom of Imam Ali is commemorated.
* There are also some other du'as which may be recited during the month of Ramadan which you can find on duas.org.
* Shi'is do not say taraweeh prayers in congregation; however, in some places, people get together for reciting the Qur'an so the whole Qur'an can be recited in one month. Otherwise it is good to do it individually.

Eid
* Eid is celebrated on one day rather than 3 days
* Shi'is also celebrate Eid al-Ghadir and other days such as the birthdays of the Prophet and Imams
* There are some differences in the Eid prayers including the qunut which is sometimes confusing (you can look it up)

Maybe there are some other differences which some others can mention. However most of these are for optional things (like reciting dua) and not requirements, apart from the fasting times. 

Best wishes!