1. Mustafa Umar Associate Director – Islamic Society of Corona-Norco www.myiscn.com www.coronamuslims.com

2. Currently there are three opinions: Sighting the moon Sighting the moon and using astronomical data to reject sightings Using astronomical data One more complication Local sighting Global sighting Importance of unity within a locality Unity on every issue?

3. Legitimacy of different opinions in Islam Hadīth of Banī Qurayzah Ibn Abbās and Kurayb Unity will come with “official” leadership There is a price to pay for authority Councils can act as a “leader” in non-Muslim lands Follow your masjid and keep the family together (duty of the leader of the house)

4. History Became obligatory 2 A.H. Who doesn’t need to fast? Non-Muslim Insane Immature (puberty) Sick [make up] - Pregnant, breast-feeding Compensation (feed a poor person) - elderly Traveler [make up] – better to fast if there’s no hardship Menstruating woman [make up]

5. مُرُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَاضْرِبُوهُمْ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ عَشْرٍ “Make your children pray when they reach the age of seven. Discipline them about it when they reach the age of ten.” Don’t be ritualistic, but don’t neglect the outward as well

6. Have the intention to fast – must be before the beginning of the fast or the month – may be vocal Abstaining from food, drink, and intercourse From dawn until dusk Abstain from all immoral behavior It can nullify the reward of your fast

7. Breaks and requires a makeup Consuming anything resembling food/drink – drip Inhaling smoke or incense Intentionally vomiting – make up Accidentally vomiting does not break the fast Accidentally eating/drinking assuming that the fast has not begun or has ended Intentional masturbation or even by looking at something and ejaculating Intentional intercourse – make up + 2 months (if unable then feed 60 needy people) Intentional eating or drinking Hanafites and Mālikites = analogous to intercourse

8. Forgetfully eating/drinking during the day – during ablution Tasting food with the tip of the tongue then spitting it out if: Husband is ill tempered You are a cook and your job is on the line A mother chewing food for her child if there is no one else to chew it Giving blood or cupping – but if it weakens you it’s disliked Brushing with toothpaste – but don’t brush the back of the tongue Eye and ear drops – nose drops must not reach the throat Bathing or rinsing your mouth with water for cooling down Injections for medicine– but no nourishment like a drip Using perfume, smelling flowers – but not inhaling incense Having a wet dream

9. Don’t fast on Eid day Don’t try to fast two days straight without breaking Don’t consume more food than you would in other months

10. Have suhūr – before the fast begins Rush to break your fast Break the fast with (an odd # of) dates – or water Break with the duā – ذهب الظمأ وابتلت العروق وثبت الأجر إن شاء الله The thirst is gone, the veins are moist, and the reward is affirmed, if Allah wills. Recite and study the Qur’an – learn about your religion Nawawi: “The best view is that that varies from one person to another. The one who is seeking to understand it and ponder its meaning should limit himself to as much as he can understand fully when he reads, and the one who is busy spreading knowledge or other religious works, or working for the public interests of the Muslims, should limit himself to what will not cause him to neglect his work. If he is not among the categories mentioned here, then he should do as much as he can without reaching the point of boredom.” “Gun it” on the last 10 nights – focus on the worship

11. Cut off from worldly affairs for a period Doesn’t have to be 10 days – do what you can What to do: Make the intention of seclusion Don’t leave the mosque without necessity (hospital, etc.) Pray, fast, remember Allah – don’t buy and sell

12. Don’t fast on Eid day Fast 6 days of Shawwāl – not necessarily in order Ramadan = 1 month x 10 6 days x 10 = 60 days = 2 months Ramadan + Shawwāl = 12 months = the whole year