In Islam, breaking the fast during Ramadan involves intentionally consuming food, drink, or engaging in specific actions. Several sources confirm this.
Key Actions That Break the Fast:
The most commonly cited actions that invalidate a fast include:
- Eating and Drinking: Consuming any food or drink, intentionally, breaks the fast. This includes even small amounts of water. [Eating, Drinking and Smoking](Reference 1)
- Smoking: Smoking is considered to be a form of consumption and invalidates the fast. [Eating, Drinking and Smoking](Reference 1)
- Sexual Intercourse: Engaging in sexual intercourse is a significant violation of the fast. [What Acts Invalidate Fasting?](Reference 5)
- Intentional Vomiting: If a person intentionally vomits, their fast is broken. [What Can Break Your Fast](Reference 3)
Some sources also mention additional actions that may break the fast, depending on the interpretation and school of thought within Islam. These include:
- Certain Medical Procedures: Injections, some medications, and medical procedures such as kidney dialysis might break the fast, depending on their nature and method. [What are things which invalidate the fast in Ramadan?](Reference 9)
- Intentional Lying, Cursing, or Misbehaving: Some scholars believe that certain actions like intentional lying, cursing, or engaging in immoral behavior could also break the fast, however this is less widely agreed upon. [What Can Break Your Fast](Reference 3), [List Of Things That Break/ Invalidate Your Fast](Reference 6)
Important Note: The penalty for intentionally breaking a fast without a valid excuse involves making up for those missed days. In some cases, additional expiation (kaffarah) may be required. [I broke my fast intentionally, what should I do?](Reference 2)
The information above summarizes the consensus from several reputable Islamic sources on what actions break the fast. It's crucial to consult with knowledgeable religious scholars for personalized guidance on specific situations.