Fasting in Ramadan - Farhat Hashmi

Making up for missed fastsMissed obligatory fasts can be made up any timebefore the commencement of the next Ramadan.(Bukhari & Muslim)Quran RecitationIt is a sunnah to recite and revise the Quran duringthe month of Ramadan. (Bukhari & Muslim)Charityof the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. (Bukhari)Supplication for 'Laylatul Qadr' :‘'O Allah! You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loveto pardon, so pardon me.'' (Tirmidhi)Sadaqat al Fitr'Salaat'and until the beginning of‘Salaat-al-Eid':Allaho-Akbar, Allaho-Akbar,La ila-ha ill-lal-Allah,Allaho-Akbar, Allaho-Akbar,Wa-lilahill hamd.'' Allah is great, Allah is great, there is no god except Allah,Allah is great, Allah is great, and all praises are for Allah''(Tirmidhi)Giving charity generously in the month ofRamadan is also the sunnah of the Prophet .(Bukhari & Muslim)Taraweeh'Taraweeh’ is a voluntary prayer, which is alsoknown as 'Tahajjud' or 'Qiyam al Layl'. This prayer haseight 'rak'ats', however, this is a voluntary prayer andthe number of 'rak'ats' may be increased ordecreased. (Bukhari & Muslim)I 'tikafDuring Ramadan performing 'I'tikaf' (sitting inseclusion in the Mosque) is a 'Sunnah MoukadaKafaya' and its duration is the last ten days ofRamadan. (Bukhari & Muslim)Women should also perform 'I'tikaf' . (Muslim)Night of PowerDuring the last ten days of Ramadan, motivate thefamily members to devote maximum time for worshipas it is the sunnah of Prophet . (Bukhari & Muslim)’Laylat al Qadr' (Night of Power) is the crowningglory of Ramadan. The person who is unable tobenefit from the blessings of this magnificent night isunfortunate. (Ibn e Majah)’Laylat al Qadr' should be sought in the odd nights'Sadaqat al Fitr' is compulsory on every individual.The obligation is not limited to those people uponwhom the payment of 'Zakat' is obligatory. It shouldbe given before the Eid prayer. (Musnad Ahmad)The amount of 'Sadaqat al Fitr' is one 'saa' whichis equivalent to the price of approximately 2.5 or 2.75kilograms of grain. (Musnad Ahmad)Eid al FitrEid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while'Fitr' means "to break fast"; and so the holidaysymbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It iscelebrated after the end of the Islamic month ofRamadan, on the first day of Shawwal.The 'Eid-al-Fitr' is a very joyous day; it is a day ofgiving thanks for the believing men and women. Onthis day Muslims show their real joy for the health,strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah hasgiven to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting andother good deeds during the blessed month ofRamadan.Sunnah of EidWake up early, prepare for personal cleanliness,brush your teeth, take a bath, dress up, putting onbest clothes available, whether new or old, useperfume, take dates or some sweet before leaving forthe prayer ground, offer 'Salaat-al-Eid’ incongregation in an open place, it is better to use twoseparate routes to and from the prayer ground.Recite the following ' Takbir ' on the way toFasts of ShawwalIt is recommended that a person keep six fasts inthe month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan).(Muslim)For more information listen to:'Ramadan Mubarak'By Dr. Farhat HashmiAugust 2010, Sha'ban 1431 AHAl Huda International WelfareFoundationHead Office58 Nazimuddin Road, F-8/4, Islamabad, Pakistan.Phone: +92-51-2261759Islamabad6-A.K.Brohi Road, H-11/4, Islamabad, Pakistan.Phone: +92-51-4434615Karachi30-A Sindhi Muslim Co-operative Housing Society,Karachi, Pakistan.Phone: +92-21-4528547www.farhathashmi.com www.alhudapk.comwww.alhudacanada.comFASTINGINRAMADANA Brief Guideline

In the name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful,The Especially Merciful.If the call for 'Fajr’ prayer (adhan) starts whilesomeone is eating 'Suhur’, instead of leaving it,he/she should finish eating it. (Abu Dawud)in between her regular periods) and blood due tosimilar conditions does not invalidate the fast.(Bukhari) A person who intentionally eats or drinkssomething while fasting, should sincerely repent andmake up for the fast.Fasting is a form of worship, prescribed by Allahfor the believers so that they attain piety.Breaking the fastCupping is permitted while a person is fasting.(Bukhari)Backbiting, lying, abusing, fighting, and arguingare not permitted while fasting. (Bukhari)(Al- Baqarah:183)The word ' ' is used for fasting in Arabic. Itsliteral meaning is to abstain from something.صومTo hasten in breaking the fast is the sunnah ofthe Prophet . The fast should be broken (Iftaar) assoon as the sun has set. (Bukhari & Muslim)If a need arises, the fasting person can tastefood by placing it at the tip of the tongue with utmostcare so that it does not reach the throat. (Bukhari) Obscene language or lewd behavior is notpermitted while fasting. (Ibn e Khuzaima)In Islamic ' Shari'ah’, it means to abstainintentionally from food, drink and marital relationsfor the sake of Allah from dawn till sunset.Fasting is obligatory upon every adult, who issane and able to fast.Moon-sightingThe month of Ramadan begins after sighting thethnew moon on the 29 of Sha'ban or (if new moon isthnot sighted) after the completion of the 30 day ofSha'ban. (Bukhari)Supplication for sighting a new moonSupplication for breaking the fast:''The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and thereward is confirmed, if Allah wills''. (Abu Dawud)A person, who provides 'Iftaar' for a fastingperson will earn the same reward as the personfasting. (Tirmidhi)Supplication for the person who providesyou with food and drink tobreak your fast:Injection taken as cure is permissible in fastingcondition. It can be injected in the vein or muscle.Eating or drinking unintentionally does notinvalidate the fast. But, as soon as a person realizesthat he is fasting then he must stop and shouldimmediately spit out any food or drink inside themouth. (Bukhari)There is no harm in swallowing one's own salivawhile fasting. (Bukhari)Bleeding from teeth or gums does not affect thefast however, the blood should not be swallowed.A person fasting is allowed to smell or usescents.If discharge takes place due to an unintentionallustful thought or a wet dream, the fast is notinvalidated. (Bukhari)If a husband forcefully has intercourse with hiswife while she is fasting then this does not invalidateher fast and she does not have to make up for it.However, the husband has to make up for the fast aswell as expiation (Kafara) for the sin committed byhim. The expiation is to set free a slave, if it is notpossible, then he has to fast for two consecutivemonths, if this too is not possible then he must feedsixty needy people. (Bukhari & Muslim)Old PersonIf a person cannot fast due to old age or anincurable disease, then he should feed one poorperson (two meals) for every missed fast. (Dar e Qutni)Sick personIf a sick person recovers from illness and dieswithout keeping the missed fasts, then his heirsshould keep his missed fasts. (Bukhari & Muslim)'' Allah is the Most Great. O Allah, bring upon us the newmoon with security and Faith, with peace and Islam,and in harmony with what our Lord loves andwhat pleases Him. Our Lord and yourLord is Allah''. (Tirmidhi)IntentionIt is necessary to make the intention to fastbefore the break of dawn (Fajr). (Abu Dawud)Pre-Dawn MealPre-Dawn Meal (Suhur) is a sunnah of theProphet Muhammad and there are blessings init. (Bukhari & Muslim)''May those who fast, break their fast with you, andthose who are righteous eat your food and the angelsrecite their prayers upon you.'' (Abu Dawud)What is allowed during fasting?Use of 'Miswaak' while fasting is proven from thesunnah. (Bukhari)Applying antimony or kohl to the eyes whilefasting does not invalidate the fast. (Bukhari)Due to extreme heat, a fasting person can take ashower, pour water over the head and rinse themouth with water. (Abu Dawud)Nose bleeding, 'Istihaadha' (bleeding of a womanWhat is forbidden during fasting?If medicine taken via the nose reaches the throator the stomach, the fast is invalidated. (Bukhari)It is not permissible for a fasting person to sniffwater too deep into the nose during ablution as itmight reach the throat. (Tirmidhi)Menstruation and post-natal bleeding invalidatesthe fast, regardless of the time or part of day whensuch bleeding commences. (Bukhari)Intentional vomiting invalidates a fast and suchfast must be made up by fasting another day,whereas, unintentional and involuntary vomitingdoes not invalidate the fast. (Abu Dawud)Pregnant or Breast-feeding women If it is difficult for pregnant and breast-feedingwomen to fast they can make up for their missed fastswhen it is easy for them and pay the compensation(fidiya) for the time being. However, later on theymust make up for the missed fasts. (Bukhari & Muslim)Traveler It is preferable not to fast while traveling.However, the traveler has the choice because theProphet sometimes used to fast and sometimeswould not fast while traveling. If the journey isdifficult and weather conditions are severe then it isbetter for the traveler to delay fasting.(Bukhari & Muslim)