Sawn (Fasting)

Fasting is a shield (al-Bukhari, Muslim), as long as the fasting person does not tear it up.

an-Nasa"1, Mujannaf `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 P.B.U.H 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 it."

al-Bukhari

1. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
2. Fasting in the month of Ramadan 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 Ramadan.
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 Ramadan), 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.
4. The Niyyah for Fard Ghayr Mu`ayyan (not set to a specific date, e.g. Qada" of Ramadan) and Wajib Ghayr Mu`ayyan (e.g. an oath made to fast without specifying a date) must be made before as-Subh as-Sadiq.

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 Ramadan."

"O Allah, I keep fast for You, so forgive my future and past sins."

BREAKFAST BEFORE DAWN - SUHUR

It is Masnun (Sunnah) to partake of Suhur 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 Suhur at any time after midnight. But it is better and desirable to partake of Suhur in the last portion of the night. It will suffice if one makes an intention to fast in ones mind after the Suhur. Delaying Suhur to such an extent that there is fear of the appearance of as-Subh as-Sadiq, should be avoided. To partake of Suhur at its correct time and then spending time chewing or nibbling till the last minute should be avoided.

VIRTUES OF SUHUR

Rasulullah P.B.U.H is reported to have said: "Verily, Allah and His angels send Salawat (Barakah - benedictions) upon those who eat Suhur".

Ibn ibban, Ahmad (meaning of Salawat as Barakah - benedictions is from ad-Durr al-Manthu)

Rasulullah P.B.U.H is reported to have said: "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-Manthu

Thus, We should "eat at the time of Suhur because in it there is Barakah."

Muslim, Ibn ibban

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUHUR

Scholars agree that to partake of Suhur is a Sunnah. Many people are deprived of this reward because of laziness (i.e. not getting up from ones sleep to perform this Sunnah).
A person partaking in Suhur during the middle of the night (i.e. before the time of Suhur, 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-Kitab (Jews and Christians) lies in partaking in Suhur (i.e. their practice was not to have Suhur).

Muslim

Thus the following are blessings of Suhur:
1. In it, the Sunnah is followed
2. Through it, we oppose the ways of the Ahlul-Kitab, which we are called upon to do.
3. It provides strength for `Ibadah.
4. It promotes more tranquillity in `Ibadah and thus more sincerity.
5. It aids one in controlling the temper.
6. Suhur is at a time when prayers are accepted (the last portion of the night).
7. It becomes or provides an additional opportunity to remember Allah and to make du`a".

We were unable to find any narrated supplications specific to the time of Suhur, however it is a time when one should try to engage oneself in a few rak`at of Tahajjud, followed by ones own supplication to Allah.

COMPLETION OF THE FAST - IFTAR

The fasting person experiences two occasions of joy; at the time of Iftar; 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 ibban

Sahl Ibn Sa`d reported that Rasulullah P.B.U.H said: "People will remain prosperous as long as they hasten with Iftar" (i.e.they end their fast promptly at sunset).

al-Bukhari, Muslim

It is Sunnah to make Iftar (to break ones fast) immediately after sunset. One should not delay in Iftar It is indeed harmful if one partakes in the Iftar meal for so long, that he misses his Maghrib Salah. It is better to break the fast in the Masjid with a single date, so that Maghrib Salah is not missed. To perform Maghrib Salah at home, so as to indulge in Iftar while missing the blessings of Salah in Jama`ah, is a shameful act.

DUA AT THE TIME OF IFTAR

"O Allah for You I fasted, and I end my fast on Your provision."

"O Allah for You I fasted, and I end my fast on Your provision."
"Thirst has been quenched, the veins have been satiated, and reward has been ordained - If Allah wills."

al-Bukhari, Muslim