Deliberate masturbation during the month of Ramadan renders a fast invalid, Iranian Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Khameini has ruled.

Khameini, who is Iran's most powerful political and religious figure, was asked on his website : "If somebody masturbates during the
month of Ramadan but without any discharge, is his fasting invalidated?"

"If he do not intend masturbation and discharging semen and nothing is discharged, his fasting is correct even though he has done a ḥarām (forbidden) act. But, if he intends masturbation or he knows that he usually discharges semen by this process and semen really comes out, it is a ḥaram intentional breaking fasting," the Iranian leader said, posting the reply on his website.



Another reader asked: "Once in the holy month of Ramadan, I forgot to brush my teeth, and some tiny bits of food remained in my mouth. I swallowed the bits unintentionally. Do I have to perform the qaḍa (repent) for that day's fast?"

"If you did not know that some bits of food remained between the teeth, or you did not know that they would reach the throat, and they were swallowed unknowingly and unintentionally, then you are not liable to make (repent) of the fast," said Khameini.

To Touch Turbah or Offer Prayer during Menses

Q: Is a menstruating woman permitted to touch the turbah of Imam Husayn (a.)? Her children used to say their prayer with her and while in menses they ask her why she does not pray. As a result, she stands facing qiblah bowing and prostrating as if she is really praying. Is that permissible?
A) She is allowed to touch turbah but not to pray even in the given case. Of course, when time arrives it is recommended for a menstruating woman to change her pad/cotton, make wuḍū’, sit down for a prayer period facing qiblah, and remember Allah, the Exalted.

استفتاء شما با موفقيت دريافت شد.