Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family from everyone at Hi FM!

Those who are observing the Holy Month are cutting out all food and drink from sunrise to sunset, to show their commitment to Islam and to cleanse their mind and spirit. 

There's a few common misconceptions about Ramadan, so here are the top five myths busted!

1. Brushing your teeth breaks the fast

Sometimes people who are fasting believe that the slight minty taste from toothpaste is enough to break the fast. According to scholars, brushing your teeth does not break your fast. Some people also recommend using the miswak - a teeth-cleaning twig - as it has a very mild and natural taste. 

2. You may not swallow your own saliva

Swallowing your own saliva is perfectly permissible and, in fact, encouraged. What will break the fast, however, is the exchange of bodily fluids with another person. Swallowing your saliva is natural. It definitely will not break the fast.

3. Accidentally eating or drinking breaks your fast

If you completely forget that you're fasting and eat something, your fast is still considered valid as long as you stop as soon as you realise. However, if you consume something in circumstances that could have been avoidable, for example, while performing ablution before prayer, then your fast becomes void.

4. You cannot take medication

Eye drops, ear drops and injections are among the medications that do not break the fast. What's clear cut in the Quran is that you should always follow the advice of the doctor.

5. You must fast no matter what

In Islam, young children, those who are ill (physically or mentally), frail, travelling, pregnant or breastfeeding, are excused from fasting during Ramadan. If you have a short-term illness during the Holy Month, that they know they'll recover from,  you can make up your fasts on other days.