7 things you must not do in public during Ramadan

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is considered the holiest period for Muslims, which is characterised by fasting (sawm) from dawn to sunset, deep prayer, charity, and reflection. The month commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, and Muslims across the globe are enjoined to adhere to the rules that guide fasting in this glorious month.

In an annual pre-Ramadan seminar, Tribune Online reports that Muslim scholars have called for self-purification and detachment from vices as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.

Also, scholars have disclosed some actions that must be avoided in the holy month. Islam preaches that every Muslim must abstain from these acts in their everyday life, with total abstinence in the holy month, as engaging in any of them might invalidate fasting. 

In this article, Tribune Online highlights things Muslims should not do in public during Ramadan, according to a sermon by Aliyu Haidara, a graduate of Arabic from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), on Notia FM (90.7) in Okuta, Baruten local government area of Kwara State.

Here are the 7 prominent things a Muslim should not do during Ramadan. 

Eating during the day

Eating during the daytime is among the major things a Muslim must not do in public during Ramadan. However, fasting is still considered void if a fasting person eats in a hidden state.  Even the case of those who are privileged not to fast and payback later, such as: the sick, nursing mothers, pregnant women, travellers, etc are not allowed to eat recklessly in public in order not to cause discomfort to the people fasting

Drinking (consciously)

This is also a major act that one must never do during Ramadan.  For it not only invalidates one’s fasting but goes as far as being punishable by forcing the doer to fast 60 more days as punishment for dishonoring the month (according to the Malikkiyyah school of jurisprudence). 

The Drinking meant here doesn’t really have to be water alone, but any liquid; likewise, it doesn’t have to be in a large quantity, even a sip applies the same penalty 

Note: This is also like eating. Drinking or eating both in public and hidden nullifies fasting, but the privileged people who are not to fast should not do so in public.

Misconduct (in speech)

 This is a vital characteristic that a fasting person must stay away from. As a servant fasting for your Lord and seeking His mercy, you must not be found talkative, blabbering obscene words that Allah warned us against. 

You are expected to be more engaged in Allah’s remembrance, Quran recitation, and any other rewarding acts that draw one closer to Allah’s mercy.

Profligacy

Profligacy is a misconduct that is action-related and leads to promiscuity. A Muslim is prohibited from such acts during and after fasting, except that it is considered worse during fasting.

Fighting

Fighting is detrimental to the honoring of the month for a Muslim to be seen involved in fighting and disputes during Ramadan.  The Holy Prophet SAW says, “whoever wakes up amongst you fasting: he shouldn’t be engaged in misconduct, he should not profligate, and whenever somebody abuses or fights him, he should say ‘I’m fasting,  I’m fasting.’

Watching what is prohibited

This is one of the reasons why Muslims are prohibited from sitting by the roadsides. And if they have to, they must control their gaze. This rule also applies during Ramadan, for there are various forms of worship that an individual should be engaged in with his or her eyes.

False testimony/perjury

The Holy Prophet SAW has severely prohibited perjury on Muslims during Ramadan to the height of making it clear to them. Their fasting is irrelevant.  He said “whoever doesn’t shun from perjury or acting on it (when heard), Allah doesn’t have any interest in him abstaining from eating and drinking (fasting).”