An Initial Guide for Fasting

Dear Brothers and Sisters, as-Salaamu alaikum!
Praise be to Allah (swt) and May His Blessings and Peace be showered on His beloved Prophet Muhammad (S), his family and his companions.

The following is an easy guide to be studied and practiced as a workshop by Muslims in a family atmosphere. It is recommended to teach it to children also.

The Obligation of Fasting Ramadan:
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory according to the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the Consensus of the Muslim Ummah on every Muslim, male or female, who has reached the age of puberty and who is sane-minded.

Allah (swt) says:
(Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you learn self-restraint) 2:183.
And He also says:
(Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down, as a guide to people and clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present at his home during that month should spend it in fasting) (2:183).

And the Prophet (S) said: " Islam is built on five pillars: The Shahadah that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, performing Salaat (prayer), giving Zakaat (alms), fasting Ramadan (Sawm), and performing Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)". Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The Virtues of Fasting in General and of Ramadan in Particular:
There are many virtues in fasting. But first let's read this hadith:
- Abu Hurairah (R) related that the Holy Prophet (S) said:" Allah, the Almighty and Master of Honor says: All the actions of a person are for himself, except the case of his fasting, which is exclusively for Me and I shall pay (recompense) him for the same. Fasting is a shield (against vice and the fire of Hell). Therefore, when anyone of you is fasting he should abstain from loose talk and avoid verbosity and noisy exchange of words. If somebody starts abusing him or picks up a quarrel with him, he should tell him that "I am observing a fast." By Allah in whose hands is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the mouth of one who is fasting is more pleasant in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. A fasting person gets two kinds of pleasure: firstly he feels pleasure when he breaks his fast, and secondly he will be joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Lord, Allah." (al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Fasting is:
*A means to attain Taqwa (closeness to Allah and a sense of constant consciousness of Him and a feeling of protection by Him).
*A merciful recommendation from Allah
*A practice of the Prophets
*A greatly rewarded act of worship
*A means to build up a sense of responsibility and a sense of care for the other.
*A means to solidarity between all human beings from different backgrounds and social levels.
*A means to discipline one's self on different levels (behavior, manners, s, and desires...etc.,)
*A means of intercession on the Day of Judgment.
*And the supplication of the fasting person is granted.
In Ramadan, there is Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Power/Decree) which is better than 1000 months. A 'Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj with the Prophet (S). Fasting in Ramadan is also a means to forgiveness for various sins. Fasting in Ramadan is a way to Paradise.
In fact, Ramadan has many virtues which were stated in the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

The Essential Elements of Siyam (Pillars of fasting)
- An-Niyyah: Intention with the heart (there is no specific form of verbal niyyah for fasting).
- Al-Imsaak: Abstaining from food, drinks and ual .
-Time: The prescribed fasting should be in the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Lunar calendar and it is like fasting in general; from Fajr (Dawn) to Maghrib (Sunset).

Actions which nullify the Fast
A- Intentional eating and drinking while fasting (if it is unintentional it is forgiven, but Fasting should be continued).
B- ual while fasting during the day.
C- Intentional vomiting.
D- Injections containing nourishment.
E- Passing food, water or any other liquid through the throat, the esophagus, the veins, or the stomach.
N.B: A person who breaks the fast intentionally with no excuse is a sinner and must free a slave or fast 2 consecutive months. If that person cannot for a health reason fast, he/she has to feed sixty poor persons.

Involuntary Events that break the Fast:
- Serious Sickness and weakness
- Menstruation
- Post childbirth bleeding.
(In the last two conditions a woman is not allowed to fast or make the 5 Salaats).

Acts that are permissible during the Fast
1. Pouring water over one's self or bathing and taking a shower.
2. Applying Kohl (eyeliner) or eyedropper or anything to the eyes in the night.
3. The couple's kissing and ing, but with the ability to control themselves.
4. Injections that are not nourishing through eye and ear drops.
5. Cupping (Hijaamah) and letting (or donation) for medical purposes.
6. Rinsing the mouth and nose lightly (but less than normally)
7. Things which one cannot not protect one's self from; like swallowing one's saliva,dust...etc.,
8. The fasting person can eat, drink, and ual from sunset (Maghrib) to dawn (Fajr).
9. It is permissible for the fasting person to be Junub (seminally defiled or having had or a ) at the time of Fajr (that is, a person is not required to perform ghusl before Fajr).
10.Delaying the purification ghusl (ritual bath) from menstruation till after Fajr (dawn) time, but ghusl must be performed before prayer of course.
11.Involuntary actions like involuntary vomiting.
12.Chewing food for a baby or tasting food while cooking without swallowing it.
13.Brushing one's teeth

Who is permitted to break the Fast in Ramadhan?
- The mentally sick person.
- Children that have not reached the age of puberty.
- The pregnant and breast-feeding woman if she fears for her health or the health of her baby.
- The traveler and the (not chronically) ill person.
- Elders that can't fast because of a weakness.

Some Sunnahs of Fasting:
- Eating the Suhoor (the predawn meal) and delaying it.
- Hastening in breaking the fast.
- Breaking the fast with dates in an odd number or drinking water.
- Refraining from performing any actions that do not befit the fasting.
- Being generous and studying the Qur'an.
- Praying in the nights of Ramadan.
- Supplications while breaking the fast.

What to say while breaking the fast:
You say: " Allahumma laka Sumtu wa 'alaa rizqika aftartu fataqabbal minni innaka anta as-Samee'u al-'Alim!"
(For You Allah I have fasted and with what you provided me I have broken my fast, so accept it from me, You are the Most hearing and the Most knowledgeable!)
And also: " dhahaba ad-Dama'u wabtallati al-'urooqo wa thabata al-Ajru insha Allah"
(The thirst has gone and the veins are quenched and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills!)

The best deeds in Ramadan:
- Reading the Qur'an: The Prophet (S) used to read it more in Ramadan. He used to study it and review it with Angel Gibril (P.b.u.h.) in this month. Moreover, in Ramadan it is recommended to read the whole Qur'an at least once.
- Qiyaam: The Prophet (S) used to pray longer prayers in Ramadan. And in the last 10 days he used to stay up all night praying and used to encourage every able person to do it. That's why we pray those nightly congregational Taraaweeh after Isha prayer.
- Sadaqah: the Prophet (S) was very generous and he used to be more generous in Ramadan. Sadaqah can be in different forms and ways; it can be even a single date given to a fasting Muslim at Iftar time.
- I'tekaaf: or Seclusion in a Jami'a (a Mosque where Jumu'ah prayer is held). It is a spiritual retreat for the Muslim. It is the practice of the Prophet (S); he used to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in his Masjid.
- 'Umrah: it is the visit of Makkah and performance of Tawaaf and Sa'y. Performing a 'Umrah in Ramadan equals a performance of a Hajjah (pilgrimage) with the Prophet (S) according to an authentic hadith about the Prophet (S).

The Last Ten Days of Ramadan:
- Praying longer prayers
- Reading more Qur'an
- Performing I'tikaf in the Masjid (seclusion in the Mosque)
- Seeking Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree).
- Offerening more charity to the poor and the needy.

May Allah bless us and forgive our previous sins in this sacred month!
May Allah give us the strength to make up the fasting the proper way!
May Allah bless this Ummah of Muhammad (S)! Ameen!

Imam Hamid Slimi