What breaks fast?
There are many ways one can break their fast. If a person starts to use bad language constantly, their fast is then broken, as it then has no meaning to it. Or if someone starts to bleed, i.e. a woman is having a period during Ramadan, her fast is also broken.
When a Muslim is fasting, they have to do it from their heart, hence a real conscious effort should be made to make sure no evil deeds or thoughts are being committed. Fasting is not a game neither should people competing with one another as it is a matter between the individual and Allah alone.
Fasting is to:
To cultivate self-control and overcome selfishness, greed and from being lazy,
To restrain passions and appetite,
To prepare for any real sufferings that may be faced later,
To experience hunger, therefore they should develop sympathy for the poor,
To gain spiritual strength,
To experience brotherhood through shared 'ordeals'
Those excused from fasting:
Children under 12 (May be earlier as it depends on what age they hit puberty.)
Pregnant and Nursing mothers,
The very elderly or aged,
Those who are ill as in diabetics or those on a journey,
Women who are menstruating,
Written by Shanaz (London)
