Rules for Fasting in Ramadan
This article has been verified by our scholar Mufti Muhammad Zubair Nadeem (PhD in Islamic Studies and Finance, Takhusus from Jamia Ashrafia)
Millions of Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, which falls in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a month marked by prayers, supplications, and fasting. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from Fajr to Maghrib and avoid food, drinks, physical intimacy, and all forms of immoral activities. According to a study conducted by the PEW Research Center, a median of 93% of Muslims say they fast during Ramadan. The study revealed that fasting is the second most observed of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is an obligation and a popular practice among Muslims. It provides many physical and spiritual benefits. Like other Islamic practices, fasting in Ramadan has rules that must be maintained to attain its true benefits.
In this article, we will explore the rules of fasting in Ramadan and the greater purpose of fasting.
The Quran sets the rules:
The Quran sets most of the rules for fasting in Ramadan in the following verses:
“It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:187)
Intention:
Islam places a lot of emphasis on the intention or Niyyah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.”(Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Book 1, Hadith 1)
Intention is the basic criterion for all acts of worship in Islam. It is the essence and the foundation of all actions. Even the most sacred of deeds can be rendered void due to misleading intentions. Therefore, fasting should be purely to attain taqwa, the virtue of being conscious of Allah’s (SWT) presence.
Anyone who endeavors in the name of Allah (SWT) will find His guidance and help in the way.
Do you want to schedule your Ramadan donations
The Quran says:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” (Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:183)
Thus, fasting is a journey that leads to piety and righteousness. However, before starting any great journey, we must intend for it. One can intend to fast a moment before the Fajr prayers. It can even be done in a fortnight. The following is the supplication for observing fast:
“Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan.”
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Translation: “I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”
Avoiding Food & Drinks:
Eating and drinking intentionally between Fajr and Maghrib will invalidate the fast. The rule remains constant even if you consume it in very small quantities. Similarly, smoking during the fasting time is prohibited. If someone intentionally eats or drinks during a fast, they must pay compensation (kaffarah) for it, which is equivalent to feeding 60 needy people.
Avoiding Sexual Intercourse:
Sexual intercourse or exhibition of sexual conduct is also prohibited during the time one is fasting.
Other things that invalidate the fast:
The following are some of the other things that invalidate fasting:
– Forcing yourself to vomit
– Start of menstrual bleeding.
– Taking medicines, injections, pills, or transfusions.
– Post Natal Bleeding.
Fasting According to the Sunnah:
Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) is every Muslim’s duty. To fast according to the Sunnah, we must do the following:
- Take Sahur, the meal before dawn. The best time for taking Sahur is just before the Fajr prayers. There are great rewards associated with following this Sunnah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Eat Sahur, for in Sahur there is a blessing.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 2150)
- Take iftar as soon as the Maghrib occurs.
- Break the fast with dates. Anas ibn Malik narrates that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to break his fast before praying with some fresh dates; but if there were no fresh dates, he had a few dry dates, and if there were no dry dates, he took some mouthfuls of water. (Sunan Abi Dawud 2356)
- While fasting, be kind and generous. Take time for worshipping and recitation of the holy Quran.
- Abstain from idle and false talk. Refrain from quarreling and all kinds of obscenities. The purpose of fasting in Ramadan is to attain spiritual purification through self-discipline. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Fast is a shield ; when one of you is fasting, he should neither behave in an obscene manner nor foolishly. If a man fights or abuses him, he should say: I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 2363)
The purpose of Fasting:
The purpose of fasting isn’t to stay deprived of food and physical intimacy. Rather, it is meant to instill discipline and self-control required for spiritual and ethical purification.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6057)
Fasting promotes empathy and discipline and develops a more profound sense of compassion. However, we must all try to follow the rules of fasting to the best of our intentions and abilities to attain the moral and spiritual growth Allah (SWT) has prescribed for us. The Quran says:
“And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.” (Surat Al-`Ankabūt,” 29:69)
Why Donate For Transparent Hands During Ramadan
Transparent Hands has been providing free medical and surgical care to Pakistan’s most deserving patients since 2014. We organize free medical camps and preventive healthcare sessions in addition to making free surgeries and various treatments available to the needy. We also offer secure online donation methods, enabling you to give your Zakat and Sadaqah during Ramadan with ease. Our unique platform ensures you know who you’re helping and how your contributions impact lives. Our faith demands that we share our resources and goodwill with our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 13)
Donate now to ensure they have access to essential healthcare services.
Conclusion:
Fasting in Ramadan is not merely an exercise in abstinence but a profound way of attaining self-discipline, empathy, and a greater connection with Allah (SWT). By adhering to the fasting rules prescribed by the Quran, we can transform ourselves ethically and spiritually. While eating, drinking, and having sex are prohibited during the fast, we must apply ourselves to abstain from obscenities, idle talk, quarreling, and all kinds of unethical behaviors. Fasting aims to foster empathy and cultivate a culture of kindness. While personal salvation is important, Allah (SWT) wants us to play a greater role in impacting the lives around us. Transparent Hands offers free medical and surgical care to deserving people without access to basic healthcare facilities.
This Ramadan, you have a great opportunity to transform lives. Donate now.
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