These are just some of the goal setting shareware that you can use when fasting

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began this week and, in all the world, those who respect the Islamic faith will fast from sunrise to sunset.

Throughout the years, some myths and misconceptions have haunted this holy month, although they are open thoughts for interpretation.

"Brushing your teeth breaks the fast"

Shabbir Hassan, a student of excellence in Islamic Sciences and Sharia, told the BBC that sometimes people who fast mistakenly believe that brushing their teeth breaks the fast. "The best advice is to use a minimal paste, use something simple, not too strong,He says. You can brush your teeth, but being careful not to pass the water down.

"You should not swallow saliva"

Swallowing saliva is perfectly permissible and, Actually, encouraged. "This misconception has no basis at all,Says Hassan, "Swallowing saliva is natural. It will certainly not break the fast. ".

"Overcoming someone else's saliva is something a little different that should be avoided during fasting.", he emphasizes. "The whole point of fasting is to control your desires, which include food, drinks and intimacy. ”

"It is only about food and drink"

Eating or drinking are not the only activities that are forbidden when fasting. "Fasting is less rewarding if you communicate badly and insult others,He says.

"Eating or drinking accidentally breaks the fast"

If you really forget that you are fasting and eat something, fasting is still considered valid as long as you stop at the moment you realize it. nevertheless, if you consume something in circumstances that could have been avoided, then the fast is broken.

"If you are performing ablution while fasting, in fact it is recommended that you avoid gargling. Simply rinse your mouth with water and spit it out immediately,He explains.

"You can not take medicine"

Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) issued a joint guideline with the International Glaucoma Association urging people to continue using certain medications, such as eye drops. The instruction describes that eye drops, ear drops, urethral injections and infusions are among the medicines that do not break the fast.

STILL, swallowing medication would invalidate the fast. Hassan says: "First, if you have a medical condition, the first thing you need to ask is, should I fast?”

"You must fast at all costs"

In Islam, fasting is considered obligatory only for those who are medically fit and have reached an age of maturity. This excludes young children, those who are ill (physically or mentally), weak, are traveling, pregnant or breastfeeding women, according to MCB.

"If it is a short-term illness from which they know they will be cured, people will be able to fast on other days ", says Hassan. "If it is a long-term condition and they can not keep the fast, they can perform fidyah - a small donation paid to feed a poor family. ”