Ramadan: Fasting Basics

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the key obligations upon every male and female Muslim who has come of age. Fasting carries great benefits for your health, your mental state, removing attachments to the duniya, preparing for the hereafter, being a better person, improving your character, being an expiation for your sins… the list goes on.

STEP 1: MAKE INTENTION

Before the start of each fast, you must make intention to fast. This doesn’t need to be said out loud but should be firm in your mind. This can be done at any time during the night, even if it is just a moment before Fajr.

“There is no fast for the person who did not intend to fast from the night before.” [Abu Dawud]

STEP 2: TAKE SUHOOR

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is baraqah.” [Bukhari]

STEP 3: FAST DURING THE SPECIFIED TIMES

All Muslims who are fasting should stop eating and drinking at the time when Fajr begins. This includes smoking, drugs, medication. This is also a time to refrain from committing any sins.

There are exceptions – if fasting would result in a serious deterioration of health of a person, then that person should not be fasting and should break their fast. Likewise pregnant women are not permitted to fast. Those on medication, should seek advice from Islamic Scholars.

Menstruating women should not fast during their menstruation cycle.

STEP 4: BREAK YOUR FAST AT MAGHRIB TIME – TAKE IFTAR

You are not meant to delay breaking your fast. The Sunnah is to hasten in breaking the fast.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The people remain upon goodness so long as they do not delay iftaar.” [Bukhari]

“The Prophet (pbuh) used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates; if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water.” [At-Tirmidhi]

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Once night comes from there and the day disappears from there, and the sun has set, the fasting person should break his fast.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet (pbuh) would not pray Maghrib until he had broken his fast, if only with a sip of water. [Al-Haakim]

After iftaar, it is Sunnah to recite the words reported in the hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (ra), according to which the Prophet (pbuh), when he broke his fast, would say, “Dhahaba adh-dhama’, wabtallat il-‘urooq, wa thabat al- ajru in shaa Allaah (The thirst has gone, the veins are flowing again, and the reward is confirmed, in shaa Allah).” [Abu Dawud]

 

… Stand Up 4 Islam!

Othe Ramadan Posts:

Ramadan: Fasting Basics

Ramadan: 100 Ramadan Tips & Suggestions

Ramadan: Boycott Israeli Dates

Ramadan: A dua for Ramadan

Ramadan: Some Do’s and Don’ts

Ramadan: Benefits of Fasting

Ramadan: Make a change in this month of fasting

 

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Ramadan: 100 Ramadan Tips and Suggestions

100 Ramadan Tips also available on Youtube

1. Put Allah first
2. Remember Allah Much throughout the day and night
3. LEAVE RAMADAN with HIGHER EEMAAN than ENTERING RAMADAN
4. Be more patient with those who do not know better
5. Read more Qur’an AND understand its meaning
6. Don’t Lie
7. Don’t Slander others
8. Don’t Backbite
9. Don’t swear
10. Grow a beard and keep it – it’s a strong sunnah
11. Help your sister in Islam
12. Help your brother in Islam
13. Give more in Sadaqah (Charity)
14. Start to Learn and Follow Islam with Knowledge – don’t just rely on hearsay (even from a religious leader)
15. Remove yourself from bad company. Join good company
16. Become a role model Muslim
17. Pray more than the Fard (Obligatory)
18. Set achievable goals (eg. read 4 pages of the Qur’an after every salaah)
19. Try to forgive those who have hurt you
20. Lower your gaze, especially in the Summer months
21. Purify your intentions
22. Start wearing hijaab and abaya
23. Get rid of bad habits
24. Stop smoking
25. Stop Sheesha
26. Stop fighting and start uniting in Islam
27. Sisters, wear loose clothing that doesn’t reveal your beauty
28. Think of those less fortunate than yourselves
29. Frequent the masjid
30. Excel in good deeds
31. Be a good neighbour
32. Look for Laylatul Qadr on the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan
33. Ask Allah regularly for His forgiveness and His Mercy
34. Don’t see yourself as being better than others
35. Don’t argue. Listen
36. Change your attitude to one that is better
37. Stop listening to music
38. Read about Islam and educate others with a pleasant approach
39. Memorise more of the Qur’an
40. Perform I’tikaaf if you are able (seclusion during the last 10 days of Ramadan)
41. Spread salaams
42. Look for the good in people rather than the bad
43. Learn about morals and manners in Islam
44. Don’t just pray the taraweeh prayers – establish your obligatory prayers
45. Try to avoid things that are not from Islam (eg. birthdays)
46. When you feel hungry, think of those who have no food and water
47. Always think of Allah in everything you do
48. Establish your day around prayer rather than prayer around your day
49. Visit your parents and be kind to them
50. Take suhoor before fasting
51. Break your fast with a date
52. Don’t over-eat when you break your fast
53. Don’t offend others
54. Always be polite
55. Be generous to others
56. Try not to waste your time
57. Take yourself away from haraam relationships (eg. boyfriend/girlfriend)
58. Recognise that there is always something you can improve in your character and in your knowledge
59. Try not to turn down an invitation to an Iftar
60. Don’t over-exert yourself during the day, so you make yourself weak or longing food and water
61. Do not engage in physical/sexual relations with your spouse during fasting hours
62. Fulfil the rights of others (your husband, wife, parents, children, neighbours etc)
63. Learn the Names & Attributes of Allah
64. Read about Paradise
65. Read about the Day of Judgement
66. Read about Hell
67. Be grateful to Allah for whatever He Has Given you
68. Do not commit shirk – if you don’t know what it is, read about it
69. Make intention to fast BEFORE you start fasting
70. Make wudhu when you wake up – it will help to fully awaken you
71. Establish Islamic gatherings
72. Try to start learning Arabic
73. Don’t waste food and water
74. Take part in a family Islamic quiz or contest – or establish one
75. Tell non-Muslims you are regularly in contact with about fasting
76. Establish Islam in your house and amongst your family
77. Rebuild bridges that you had thought you had totally burnt
78. Follow the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – eat one third, drink one third and leave one third of your stomach empty
79. Go for a short walk after Iftar – it’s sunnah to walk after eating
80. Make a list of duas and memorise them – recite them especially before breaking your fast
81. Control your tongue
82. Try to bring khushoo into your prayers
83. Make intention of what you will try to improve the next day
84. Remember death
85. Pray on time
86. Visit the sick
87. Give da’wah to others (Muslims as well as non-Muslims)
88. Don’t show off
89. Replace fizzy drinks with water and eat healthily (obviously outside of fasting hours)
90. Establish these Islamic habits with your children and family and friends
91. Learn about what is going on with other Muslims around the world
92. Do not fast if your health will seriously suffer from it
93. Break your fast if there is a danger to your health
94. Make time for Islam in your life
95. Don’t procrastinate
96. Sleep wisely – These next few years (especially in the UK) the fasting day is long, so ensure you get enough rest
97. Don’t forget to give your fitrana before Eid Salaah
98. Call for ONE EID – anyone who divides the Ummah should be challenged
99. Make Eid special so that future generations cherish it
100. Keep Islamic habits going after Ramadan has ended

Stand Up 4 Islam!

Other Ramadan Posts:

Ramadan: Fasting Basics

Ramadan: 100 Ramadan Tips & Suggestions

Ramadan: Boycott Israeli Dates

Ramadan: A dua for Ramadan

Ramadan: Some Do’s and Don’ts

Ramadan: Benefits of Fasting

Ramadan: Make a change in this month of fasting

 

[If you like this article, please share it with your friends]

Ramadan: Fasting Basics

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the key obligations upon every male and female Muslim who has come of age. Fasting carries great benefits for your health, your mental state, removing attachments to the duniya, preparing for the hereafter, being a better person, improving your character, being an expiation for your sins… the list goes on.

STEP 1: MAKE INTENTION

Before the start of each fast, you must make intention to fast. This doesn’t need to be said out loud but should be firm in your mind. This can be done at any time during the night, even if it is just a moment before Fajr.

“There is no fast for the person who did not intend to fast from the night before.” [Abu Dawud]

STEP 2: TAKE SUHOOR

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is baraqah.” [Bukhari]

STEP 3: FAST DURING THE SPECIFIED TIMES

All Muslims who are fasting should stop eating and drinking at the time when Fajr begins. This includes smoking, drugs, medication. This is also a time to refrain from committing any sins.

There are exceptions – if fasting would result in a serious deterioration of health of a person, then that person should not be fasting and should break their fast. Likewise pregnant women are not permitted to fast. Those on medication, should seek advice from Islamic Scholars.

Menstruating women should not fast during their menstruation cycle.

STEP 4: BREAK YOUR FAST AT MAGHRIB TIME – TAKE IFTAR

You are not meant to delay breaking your fast. The Sunnah is to hasten in breaking the fast.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The people remain upon goodness so long as they do not delay iftaar.” [Bukhari]

“The Prophet (pbuh) used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates; if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water.” [At-Tirmidhi]

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Once night comes from there and the day disappears from there, and the sun has set, the fasting person should break his fast.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet (pbuh) would not pray Maghrib until he had broken his fast, if only with a sip of water. [Al-Haakim]

After iftaar, it is Sunnah to recite the words reported in the hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (ra), according to which the Prophet (pbuh), when he broke his fast, would say, “Dhahaba adh-dhama’, wabtallat il-‘urooq, wa thabat al- ajru in shaa Allaah (The thirst has gone, the veins are flowing again, and the reward is confirmed, in shaa Allah).” [Abu Dawud]

 

… Stand Up 4 Islam!

Othe Ramadan Posts:

Ramadan: Fasting Basics

Ramadan: 100 Ramadan Tips & Suggestions

Ramadan: Boycott Israeli Dates

Ramadan: A dua for Ramadan

Ramadan: Some Do’s and Don’ts

Ramadan: Benefits of Fasting

Ramadan: Make a change in this month of fasting

 

[If you like this article, please share it with your friends]