In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
Fasting is a shield (al-Bukhari, Muslim), as long as the fasting person does not tear it up. (an-Nasa’i, Musannaf `Abdur-Razzaq)
Fasting is exclusively for Allah: He states, “Fasting is for me and I shall give its reward. And good is (rewarded) with ten times its like.” (al-Bukhari)
The Messenger (PBUH) has said:
“By that Being in Whose hands is my (Muhammad’s) life! The odour of the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. (Allah says) ‘He leaves his food, his drink and his desires for my sake. (His) fasting is for me and I shall reward him, a reward ten times its like.’” (al-Bukhari)
1. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
2. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is Fard upon all Muslims, male and female who are sane and mature.
3. Almighty Allah has promised great reward for those who fast, whilst severe punishment for those that do not fast in the month of Ramadhan.
4. Fasting has many physical, moral and social benefits. However, Allah has made fasting compulsory so that we become pious, Allah-fearing and Allah-conscious.
5. Fasting in Islam means to stay away from eating, drinking and cohabitation (sex) from as-Subh as-Sadiq (true dawn) to sunset with the Niyyah (intention) of Sawm (fasting).
FASTING TEACHES SYMPATHY FOR THE POOR
Fasting is the only method whereby the pangs of hunger, the ever-present companion of the poor, are experienced by the rich. Thus this experience kindles a spirit of kindness to the poor and distressed. It also gives rise to the thought of how people will fare on the day of resurrection, when the greatest urge of hunger and thirst will be felt.
THE NIYYAH (INTENTION)
1. Niyyah is necessary (derived from al-Bukhari). This too applies to fasting. If one stays away from those things that invalidate the fast without Niyyah, the fast will not be valid, and will have to be repeated.
2. It is not necessary to express the Niyyah verbally as Niyyah means to intend. Thus, the intention of the heart will suffice. However, it is at times advisable to express the Niyyah verbally if it helps in developing consciousness.
3. The time for Niyyah lasts until midday for Fard Mu`ayyan (set to a particular date i.e. Sawm of Ramadhan), Wajib Mu`ayyan (e.g. an oath made to fast on a specific date), Sunnah or Mustahabb fasts. Midday is halfway between as-Subh as-Sadiq (dawn) and sunset. (al-Qudoori, al-Bidaayah, Fathul-Qadeer)
4. The Niyyah for Fard Ghayr Mu`ayyan (not set to a specific date, e.g. Qada’ of Ramadhan) and Wajib Ghayr Mu`ayyan (e.g. an oath made to fast without specifying a date) must be made before as-Subh as-Sadiq. (al-Qudoori, al-Bidaayah, Fathul-Qadeer)
The following are examples of what an intention for fasting can be:
“I have the intention to observe tomorrow a Fast of the month of Ramadhan.”
“O Allah, I keep fast for You, so forgive my future and past sins.”
BREAKFAST BEFORE DAWN - SUHOOR
It is Masnoon (Sunnah) to partake of Suhoor during the last portion of the night. It is a means of attaining great blessings and reward.
The Sunnah will be attained if one partakes of Suhoor at any time after midnight. But it is better and desirable to partake of Suhoor in the last portion of the night. It will suffice if one makes an intention to fast in ones mind after the Suhoor.
Delaying Suhoor to such an extent that there is fear of the appearance of as-Subh as-Sadiq, should be avoided. To partake of Suhoor at its correct time and then spending time chewing or nibbling till the last minute should be avoided.
VIRTUES OF SUHOOR
Rasoolullah (SAW) is reported to have said:
“Verily, Allah and His angels send Salawaat (Barakah - benedictions) upon those who eat Suhoor”. (Ibn Hibban, Ahmad)
(meaning of Salawaat as Barakah - benedictions is from ad-Durr al-Manthoor)
Benedictions from Allah means Allah praises such a person, and benedictions from the angels means that they supplicate good for such a person. )ad-Durr al-Manthoor) Thus, We should “eat at the time of Suhoor because in it there is
Barakah.” (Muslim, Ibn Hibbaan)
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUHOOR
Scholars agree that to partake of Suhoor is a Sunnah. Many people are deprived of this reward because of laziness (i.e. not getting up from sleep to perform this Sunnah). A person partaking in Suhoor during the middle of the night (i.e. before the time of Suhoor, such as prior to sleeping) deprives himself of its complete sunnah. A Hadith indicates that the difference between our fasting and that of the Ahlul-Kitaab (Jews and Christians) lies in partaking in Suhoor (i.e. their practice was not to have Suhoor). (Muslim)
Thus the following are blessings of Suhoor:
(a) In it, the Sunnah is followed
(b) Through it, we oppose the ways of the Ahlul-Kitaab, which we are
called upon to do.
(c) It provides strength for `Ibaadah (Worship).
(d) It promotes more tranquillity in `Ibaadah and thus more sincerity.
(e) It aids one in controlling the temper.
(f) Suhoor is at a time when prayers are accepted (the last portion of the
night).
(g) It becomes or provides an additional opportunity to remember
Allah and to make du`aa’.
We were unable to find any narrated supplications specific to the time
of Suhoor, however it is a time when one should try to engage oneself in
a few rak`aat of Tahajjud, followed by one’s own supplication to Allah.
COMPLETION OF THE FAST - IFTAAR
The fasting person experiences two occasions of joy; at the time of Iftaar; and at the time of meeting their Rabb (Lord). (al-Bukhari, Muslim)
The supplications made by a fasting person, until the time of completing his fast, are accepted. (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibbaan)
Sahl Ibn Sa`d (RA) reported that Rasoolullah (SAW) said:
“People will remain prosperous as long as they hasten with Iftaar” (i.e. they end their fast promptly at sunset). (al-Bukhari, Muslim)
It is Sunnah to make Iftaar (to break one’s fast) immediately after sunset. One should not delay in Iftaar. It is indeed harmful if one partakes in the Iftaar meal for so long that he misses Jama`ah for Maghrib. It is better to break the fast in the Masjid with a single date, so that Maghrib Salaah is not missed. To perform Maghrib Salaah at home, so as to indulge in Iftaar while missing the blessings of Salaah in Jama`ah, is a shameful act.
Please check out to read the supplication on our Youtube channel Salihun Righteous Believers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMQs1sYr1j0&list=PLipZKHjbri9V1R6by4v-hytfIIHmkzewA&index=3