Asia ReView

Amita Verma

Can one get his tooth extracted during Ramzan? Can one wear nail polish while offering namaz? Is it right to offer namaz in a house where rent has not been paid? Can one get vaccination done during Ramzan? Is it proper to apply oil during Ramzan?

These are only some of the questions that are flooding the three helplines set up in Lucknow during the month of Ramzan.

"We are receiving hundreds of phone calls every day from within the country and places as far as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Libya. The interesting fact is that, this year, the callers are mostly teenagers who are keen to know the religious aspects of the month of Ramzan. Since we allow the caller to maintain anonymity — if he or she so desires — the questions are rather frank in most cases," says the spokesman of the Centre for Islamic Studies that started the first helpline four years ago.

"In the beginning, we received calls mostly from the clergy who wanted to remove doubts on religious issues but now it is the common men and women who call up," the spokesman says.

The most frequently asked question on the helpline is from persons suffering from diabetes who want to know whether they should keep fast during the month of Ramzan or can they be exempted?

"We are asking persons with diabetes not to fast during Ramzan because they need regular meals and regular medication. Fasting for long hours could be detrimental to their health," the spokesman explains.

The helpline has also clarified that mothers who breastfeed their infants need not fast.

It is perfectly all right for a person to get his tooth extracted during Ramzan fast, but he or she must take care not to gulp down any liquid or medicine during tooth extraction. One can also apply oil or balm on the head during the fast. A number of women wanted to know whether they could apply mehndi on their hands during Ramzan. While the helpline clarifies that they can apply mehndi on their hands and the head, growing one’s nails or applying nail polish is prohibited since it does not allow proper wuzu (ablutions) before namaz.

While Islam allows a fasting Muslim to break his fast at an iftar hosted by a non-Muslim, he must take care to ensure that the money spent on iftar has come through noble means. Similarly, offering namaz in a house for which rent has not been paid or a house taken by wrong means, is prohibited.

The helpline also advises callers not to watch films, songs and dances during the month of Ramzan. They should devote their time to religious activities instead.

Similarly, wearing a gold chain while offering namaz is also prohibited.