Ramadan Virtues, Blessings & Essential Elements

by Iman Badawi
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
All praise is to Allah, Whom we thank and seek for His help and forgiveness.
We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of ourselves and the burden of our evil
deeds.
Whomsoever He guides, will never be misled, and whomsoever He misguides, will
never find enlightenment.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad is
His slave and Messenger.

Allah said, what translated means, “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should
be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam” [3:102],

also, “Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person
(Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He
created many men and women and fear Allah through whom you demand your
mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations) of the wombs (kinship)! Surely,
Allah is Ever an All- Watcher over you.” [4:1]
and, “O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak
(always) the Truth.” [33:70].

The best of speech is the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance
sent with Muhammad - peace be upon him. The worst of matters are Bid’ahs
(innovations in the religion), every Bid’ah is a Dhalalah [misguidance], and every
Dhalalah is in the Hellfire.

***Contents****

• A. The Magnificent Month

• B. Blessings of Ramadan
• C. Virtues of Fasting in Quran and Sunnah
• D. Ramadan and the Quran
• E. Virtues of the Quran
• F. Essential Elements of Fasting
• G. Acts Which Nullify the Fast (intentionally/involuntarily)
• H. Other Rulings

A. The Magnificent Month

Salman Al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Messenger of
Allah (pbuh) addressed us on the last day of Sha’ban and said: “People, a great
blessed month has come upon you, a month containing Laylat al-Qadr which is
better than a thousand months. Allah has made fasting during it an obligation,
and steadfastly observing its nights in worship a voluntary act. Whoever
undertakes an act of obedience to Allah during this month with a righteous deed,
it is as if he has performed an obligatory act at other times; and whoever
performs an obligatory act during it is as one who performed seventy obligations
at other times. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is
Paradise. It is the month of goodwill, during which provisions are multiplied.
Whoever feeds a fasting person will be compensated with forgiveness of sins and
salvation of his soul from Hell. He will also receive a reward equal to that of the
person he feeds, without causing him any reduction (in his good deeds).” (The
Companions) said: “Not all of us can find something to feed a fasting person.”
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah gives this reward to whoever feeds a fasting
person even with just a taste of milk or dates, or a drink of water. Whoever
quenches the thirst of a fasting person, Allah the Almighty makes him drink from
my pond such that he will never feel thirsty again until he enters Paradise. It is a
month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is
emancipation from Hell.

Therefore display four characteristics to a greater extent; with two of which you
will please your Lord, and two you can not dispense with. The two with which you
will please your Lord are to testify that there is no one deserving of worship
except Allah, and to seek His forgiveness; whereas the two which you cannot
dispense with are that you beseech Allah to place you in Paradise and that you
seek refuge with Him from Hell.” [related by Ibn Khuzaymah and AlBayhaqi].

B. Blessings of Ramadan

Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters! We are hosting soon inshaa’a Allah a unique, a
generous and an honorable guest; a guest that visits us once a year and brings
with it all sorts of goodness and happiness; a guest that brings with it the wide
Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah; a guest that brings with it a smell of Paradise; a
guest that makes the believer closer to Allah and His Paradise and away from
Shaytan and Hell Fire. It is Ramadhan, the month of the Qur’an, the month of
Mercy, the month of Forgiveness, the month of prayer at night and Suhoor, the
month of solidarity and mutual help, the month of all blessings.

We are advised in our merciful religion of Islam to be kind and generous towards
the guest, so what if the guest is the best of guests over the year? We should
exert ourselves in generosity which is in this case good behavior and intense
worship. It is from the immense mercy of Allah upon us that He made us Muslims
and that He extended our lives till we reached this Ramadan. It is reported from
some of the Salaf (Muslims of the first three centuries of Islam that the
Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, praised in the well known
famous hadith) that they used to pray to Allah during the six months before
Ramadan to extend their lives so that they can fast Ramadan, and in the 6
months after Ramadan they would ask Allah to accept their fasting of Ramadan.
Therefore, we have to be thankful to Allah that He allowed us to witness this
Ramadan, so let us please Him during this month.

Why do we fast? It is from the nature of humans to ask and to wonder why they
do things. Muslims do things to please Allah, and they can please Allah only by
obeying Him and practicing His religion. Thus, in answer to this question “Why do
we fast?” we respond that it is a commandment and a clear order from Allah upon
us and we have no other choice but to obey Allah and please Him out of Love and
Fear at the same time.

Allah says what means : “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you
as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to)
attain Taqwa” (Qur’an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

Ibn ‘Umar reports that Allah’s Messenger said: Islam is based on (the following)
five (principles):

• 1. To testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and
Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.
• 2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
 • 3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity)
• 4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
• 5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. [Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah narrates that one day while Allah’s Messenger was sitting with the
people, a man came to him walking and said, “O Allah’s Messenger. What is
Belief?” The Prophet said, “Belief is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His
Apostles, and the meeting with Him, and to believe in the Resurrection.” The man
asked, “O Allah’s Apostle, What is Islam?” The Prophet replied, “Islam is to
worship Allah and not worship anything besides Him, to offer prayers perfectly, to
pay the (compulsory) charity (i.e. Zakat) and to fast the month of Ramadan.”
[The narration of Muslim has Hajj as well]. The man again asked, “O Allah’s
Apostle What is Ihsan (i.e. perfection or benevolence)? The Prophet said, “Ihsan
is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of
devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you.” Then the man left. The
Prophet said, “Call him back to me.” They went to call him back but could not see
him. The Prophet said, “That was Jibreel (Gabriel) who came to teach the people
their religion.” [Bukhari].

Since Islam means submission to Allah, we have no other choice but to submit
ourselves to Allah and obey His commandments. It is from the mercy of Allah
towards us that while He prescribed on us fasting, He also showed us the
greatness of fasting in this world and in the hereafter to make it beloved to us.

Abu Umaamah (r.a.a.) said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action by

which I may enter Paradise. He said: Take to Fasting, there is nothing like it. [An-
Nasaa’ee, Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Saheeh]

In this hadeeth, the Prophet (s.a.w.) singled out fasting when asked about a deed
that leads its doer to the best of rewards, Paradise. This fact alone is sufficient for
us to understand the greatness of fasting. Mere knowledge of the importance and
superiority of fasting, however, is not enough for a Muslim to attain Allah’s
pleasure and then, in shaa’ Allah, His great reward.

Indeed, the Prophet (s.a.w.) has said: “Perhaps a person fasting will receive
nothing from his fasting except hunger and thirst.” [Ibn Maajah, Ad-Daarimee,
Ahmad, al-Baihaqee, Saheeh]

This hadeeth should raise our concern about fasting and increase our desire to
perform this act of worship with the best intention and in accordance with the
Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.). The first step is for a Muslim to realize that Allah
has prescribed fasting as a means of gaining Taqwa. Allah (swt) has also informed
us that it is taqwa that distinguishes people in the His sight.

Allah says: “The most honoured by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa.”
[49:13]

Ali ibn Abi Taalib was asked about the definition of taqwa, to which he answered:
“[It is] Fear of the All-Mighty, acting upon the revelation, preparation for the day
of travel [when we meet Allah], and contentment with a small amount.”

C. Virtues of Fasting as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah

• The reward for fasting is immense, as mentioned in the following Hadeeth:

“Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good
 deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the
Most High said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give
recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.’ for the
fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast
and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the
mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk.”
[al-Bukhaaree]
• Also, Sahl ibn Sa’ said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Indeed there is a
gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection those who
fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they
have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of
them enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever
drinks never becomes thirsty.” [Ibn Khuzaimah, Saheeh].
• Fasting is a shield against the Fire: “Fasting is a shield with which a
servant protects himself from the Fire.” [Ahmad, Saheeh] and his saying
(saws) “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah
removes the hellfire seventy years further from his face.” [related by the
group except for Abu Dawood]
• On the Day of Judgement, “Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him
from food and desires so accept my intercession for him.” [Ahmad, al-
Haakim and Abu Nu’aim, Hasan]
• Fasting is a means for one’s sins to be forgiven. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
“He who fasts Ramadhan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from Allah)
then his past sins are forgiven.” [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
• Fasting is an expiation for various sins, as mentioned in the Qur’aan, in
verses: 2:196, 4:92, 5:89, 5:95 and 58:3-4.
• The supplication of the fasting person is answered: “There are in the
month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants
freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which
he can make and will be granted.” [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]
• The fasting person will be among the true followers of the prophets and
the martyrs: ‘Amr ibn Murrah al-Juhaanee r.a.a. said: A man came to the
Prophet (s.a.w.) and said: O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none
has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger
of Allah, and I observe the five daily prayers, and I pay the zakaah, and I
fast and stand in prayer in Ramadhan, then amongst whom shall I be? He
said: Amongst the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs. [Ibn
Hibbaan, Saheeh]
• Fasting is a shield against one’s base desires, as the Prophet (s.a.w.) told
the youth: “O youths, whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him
do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he
who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him.” [al-
Bukhaaree, Muslim]

Once we realize the greatness of fasting and what achievement it leads to, we
must put all our efforts in performing the fast in the best manner possible. And
since fasting is worship, it must be done solely for Allah’s sake, and no intention
is accepted, other than pleasing Allah and seeking His Face with all one’s
sincerity. Without a correct intention, no deed is of any value in the Hereafter.

We Muslims must constantly verify our intentions and consider why we perform
fasting. Do we do so merely because it is the practice of our parents and friends,
or do we do so because it is part of our tradition, or perhaps because we simply
want to conform to our environment in order to avoid any problems? A Muslim
who realizes that only that which is with Allah remains, and that He (swt) is the
only One who grants and withholds, would not be of those to which the Prophet
(s.a.w.) alluded in the Hadeeth: “On the Day of Judgement, a caller will cry out,
‘Whoever performed a deed for someone other than Allah may seek his reward
from that for which he performed the deed’” [Saheeh al-Jami].

D. Ramadan and the Quran

This is based on an extract from Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali’s “Lataif al-Ma’arif” (pp.
179-182), quoted by Fahd bin Sulaiman in “Kay nastafeed min Ramadan” (pp. 48-
50)

--------------begin quoting---------------------------

Ramadan has a special relationship with the Quran, of course, surah al-Baqarah:

“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down ... so
whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it...” [Note: in the tafsir
of this verse, it is mentioned that the word ‘so’ (fa) in this verse gives the
following paraphrase of one aspect of the meaning of the ayah: “Fast this month
BECAUSE it is the one in which the Quran was sent down” -- see Sifah Sawm an-
Nabee (saws) [eng. version] by Ali al-Halabi & Saleem al-Hilali for elaboration of
this

In the Two Sahihs, from Ibn Abbas: “that the Messenger of Allah SAS was the
most generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadan, when
Jibril would meet him and make him rehearse the Quran, Jibril would meet him
every night in Ramadan to do this ...”

This hadith contains recommendation of the following:

• studying the Quran in Ramadan

• coming together for this purpose
• checking (one’s memory/knowledge of) the Quran with someone who has
preserved it better
• increasing recitation of Quran in Ramadan
• The night time is the best time to recite, when other preoccupations are
less & it is easier to concentrate, as in Surah Muzzammil.

Also, the hadith of Fatima (ra) from her father (saws), who told her that Jibril
would rehearse the Quran with him (in Ramadan) once every year, and he did so
twice in the year of his death (saws).

Then, Ibn Rajab talks about the situation of the Salaf during Ramadan:

“Some of the Salaf would finish (reciting the whole Quran) during the night prayer
of Ramadan every 3 days, others every 7 days (e.g. Qataadah), others in 10 days
(e.g. Abu Rajaa’ al-Atardi). The Salaf would recite Quran in Ramadan in Prayer as
well as outside it.

Al-Aswad would finish the Quran every 2 nights in Ramadan; Ibrahim an-Nakh’i
would do that in the last 10 nights specifically, & every 3 nights during the rest of
the month. Qataadah would regularly finish the Quran in 7 days, but in 3 days
during Ramadan, and every night during the last 10. Ash-Shafi’i would finish the
Quran 60 times in Ramadan, outside of Prayer, and similar is reported about Abu
Hanifah. Az-Zuhri would say when Ramadan began: It is recitation of Quran &
feeding people. Ibn Abdul Hakam said: when Ramadan began, Malik would leave
reciting Hadith and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick to reciting the
Quran from the Mushaf. Abdur Razzaaq said: When Ramadan began, Sufyan
Thawri would leave other acts of worship and stick to reciting Quran.

Aishah (ra) would recite from the Mushaf at the beginning of the day in Ramadan
(i.e. after Dawn), until when the sun had risen, she would sleep. Sufyan said:
Zayd alYaami would bring copies of Quran when Ramadan began and gather his
companions around him...”

Ibn Rajab later continues: “the forbiddance of finishing reciting the Quran in less
than 3 days applies to this being made a regular practice, but as for favoured
times such as Ramadan, esp. the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, or
favoured places such as Makkah for the visitor, it is recommended to increase
reciting the Quran to avail the time and place. This is the view of Ahmad, Ishaq &
other imams, and the practice of others indicates this too, as has been
mentioned.”

---------------------------------------end of quote from

book------------------------------

E. Virtues of the Quran

Shaykh `Abdul Qadir al-Arna'oot

(c) IIPH 1999

• "The best of you is he who learns the Qur'an and teaches it." [al-Bukhari]
• "Will not any of you go to the masjid and learn or read two verses from
the Book of Allah `azza wa jall? (For) that is better for him than two she-
camels, and three (verses) are better for him than three (she-camels),
and four (verses) are better for him than four (she-camels). And the
number (of verses read in total) are better than the same number of
camels." [Muslim]
• "There is no envy (acceptable) except in two (cases): a person whom Allah
has given the Qur'an and recites it throughout the night and throughout
the day. And a person whom Allah has given wealth, that he gives out
throughout the night and throghout the day." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• "Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah
(good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by
ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather
Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter." [At-Tirmidhi, Ad-
Darimi]
• "He who is skillful in reciting the Qur'an is with the unveiled, honorable,
and pious (i.e. Hur al `Ain). And he who stutters when reading the Qur'an,
(and its recitation) is difficult upon him, will receive two rewards." [Al-
Bukhari]
• "Verily he who has nothing of the Qur'an in his heart, is like a house
(which has been) destroyed." [At-Tirmidhi]
• "Read the Qur'an. For verily it will come forth on the Day of Resurrection
as an intercessor for its readers." [Muslim]
• "The Qur'an is an intercessor (which by Allah's permission) intercedes, and
an opponent (which is) truthful. He who appoints it as his leader, (then it)
will lead him to Paradise. And he who puts it behind him, (then it) will lead
him to the Fire." [Ibn Hibban, Al-Bayhaqi, At-Tabarani, Sahih]
 • "Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for the slave on the Day of
Resurrection. Fasting will say: 'O My Rabb! I prevented him from food and
desires, so accept my intercession for him.' And the Qur'an will say: 'I
prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for
him.' He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: 'And they will (be allowed to)
intercede.'" [Ahmad, at-Tabarani, Al-Hakim, Sahih]
• "Maintain learning the Qur'an, by heart for verily it is greater in escaping
from the chests of men than camels from their reins." [Al-Bukhari and
Muslim]
• "Verily Allah raises nations by this book (the Qur'an) and puts down (i.e.
destroys) others by it." [Muslim]
• "The likeness of the believer who reads the Qur'an is like that of citron; its
taste is delicious and its scent is pleasant. And the likeness of the believer
who does not read the Qur'an is like that of a date; its taste is delicious,
yet it has no scent. And the likeness of a hypocrite who reads the Qur'an is
like that of a basil; its scent is pleasant, yet its taste is bitter. And the
likeness of a hypocrite that does not read the Qur'an is like that of a
colocynth; its taste is bitter and it has no scent." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• "It will be said to the beholder of the Qur'an: 'Recite, ascent and rattil
(recite slowly and distinctly) as you used to rattil in the life of this world,
for verily your level (in Paradise) is at the last verse you read." [Abu
Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, Sahih]
• "Read the Qur'an, put it into practice, do not abandon it, do not put
grudges (upon others) through it, and do not eat and gain wealth through
it." [Ahmad, At-Tabarani, Sahih]
• "Read the Qur'an and through it seek the Face of Allah, Exalted be He,
before there comes a nation that implements it like an arrow. They read it
fast and they do not recite it slowly (to implement)." [Ahmad, Abu Dawud,
Hasan]
• "Verily, the best of people with regards to voices, is he whom you feel
fears Allah when he recites." [Ad-Darimi, Sahih]
• From Anas ibn Malik, radhiallahu `anhu, (who said) that the Messenger of
Allah, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, said to Ubay ibn Ka`b (radiallahu
`anhu):
'Verily Allah has ordered me to read upon you.'
He [Ubay] said: 'Has Allah named me for you?!'
He [sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam] said: 'Allah has named you for me.'
He [Anas] said: 'So Ubay began to weep.'
[Muslim]
• "There is not a group which has gathered in a house from the houses of
Allah, reciting the Book of Allah, and studying it between them, except
that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will befall them, the Angels
will encircle them, and Allah will mention them to those who are with Him
(i.e. the Angels). And he who falls short (in gaining knowledge and
memorizing the Qur'an) should (be prompt in) action, (in) that which
lineage (*) will not hasten him (to do)." [Muslim]
(*) For example, if someone is the son of a scholar and falls short in
gaining knowledge and memorizing the Qur'an, then it is upon him to
hasten in redeeming himself through studying and hard work, not by
relying upon his lineage, i.e. him being the son of a scholar, king, or even
being from the descendants of the family of the Messenger, sallallahu
`alaihi wa sallam, etc. This meaning is taken from An-Nawawi's
explanation of Sahih Muslim. [Transl.]

F. The Essentials Elements of Fasting

Definition of Siyam (Fasting): Siyam in Arabic means “to abstain from
something”.

For example, Allah says about Mariam (Mary) in the Qur’an that she said
[meaning]: “Verily!, I have vowed a fast to the Most Beneficent (Allah) so I shall
not speak to any human this day “[Maryam 19:26]. In religion (Islam) Siyam
means “abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn until
sunset with the sincere intention of doing so (for the sake of Allah). Therefore the
pillars of fasting are:

• 1-The intention: To sincerely fast for the sake of Allah. The intension
need not be uttered. It is in reality an act of the heart which does not
involve the tongue. It is a bid‘ah [innovation] to do so. The fact that one
knows he is fasting the next day is “intention”. The fact of taking Suhoor is
“intention. About sincerity in acts of worship Allah said in the Qur’an [in
the meaning of]: “And they were ordained nothing else than to worship
Allah, keeping religion pure for Him” [al-Bayyinah, Also the Messenger of
Allah (S) said : Actions are judged according to the intention behind them,
and for everyone is what he intended” [Bukhari and Muslim] The intention
must be made before fajr and during every night of Ramadan and is valid
if made in any part of the night. Hafsah reported that the Prophet (S)
said: “Whoever does not determine to fast before fajr will have no fast”
(that is it won’t be accepted) [an-Nasa’i, atTirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and
others, Sahih].
• 2-Abstaining from the acts that break the fast: Allah says in the
Qur’an [in the meaning of]: “Eat and drink until the white thread becomes
distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then strictly observe
the fast until nightfall.” [al-Baqara, 2:187] ‘Adiyy Ibn Hatim said “When
the Ayah “Eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you ...”
was revealed, I took a black thread and a white thread and placed them
underneath my pillow. During the night I looked at them to if I could
distinguish between them. In the morning I went the Messenger of Allah
and mentioned that to him and he said: ‘It is the black of the night and
the white of the day.’” [Bukhari and Muslim] Therefore, the believer must
fast from Fajr [dawn] to Maghrib [sunset].

G. Actions Which Nullify the Fast

The following acts, when done knowingly and deliberately in the days of
Ramadhan, will invalidate the fast. In addition to being considered great sins, a
person committing one of these acts will have to continue fasting the rest of the
day that he/she committed it, and he/she is also required to take certain
measures of reconciliation as indicated below.

• 1- Intentional eating, drinking - Allah says [in the meaning of]: “Eat
and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black
thread of the dawn. Then strictly observe the fast until nightfall.” [al-
Baqara, 2:187]. This applies to the one who does so consciously. However,
if a person eats or drinks forgetfully or accidently or is forced to do it, the
fasting is intact, the day is not to be made up and the person should
continue fasting. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (S)
said:”Whoever forgets he is fasting, and eats or drinks is to complete his
fast, as it is Allah who fed him and gave him something to drink.”
[Bukhari, Muslim and others] Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (S)
said:” Allah has excused for my Ummah mistakes, forgetfulness and what
they are forced to do”. [Tahawee, al-Hakim and Daraqutni; Sahih]. Similar
 to eating and drinking is smoking [besides being prohibited in itself] and
letting any substance into the stomach. However, if a person eats or drink
out of forgetfulness, then he/she should continue fasting and the day
fasted is valid and counted and does not need to make up the day. This is
based on the hadith of Abu Huraira in Sahih al-Bukhari: The Prophet said,
“If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast,
for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah.”. Similarly
if a person breaks the fast before the actual maghrib (sunset) or after fajr
because of a mistake in time recognition, he is not to make up the day.
• 2-Sexual intercourse - Just like eating and drinking Allah has forbidden
sexual intercourse during the days of Ramadan; “Permitted to you, on the
night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments
and ye are their garments. Allah knows what you used to do secretly
among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now
associate (i.e. have sexual intercourse) with them, and seek what Allah
Hath ordained for you (i.e. offspring), and eat and drink, until the white
thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete
your fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while
you are in seclusion (I‘tikaf) in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by)
Allah. Approach not nigh thereto. Thus does Allah make clear His Signs to
men: that they may learn self-restraint. [al-Baqara; 2:187] The ‘ulama’
[Scholars] differ about stimulating oneself [whether alone or with his wife
or vise versa], without intercourse, to the point of ejaculation. Some of
them treat it as complete intercourse, while others say that it does not
invalidate the fast even though it causes a loss of its rewards.
• 3-Intentional vomiting - Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (S)
said :”Whoever is overcome and vomits is not to make up the day.
Whoever vomits intentionally must make up the day.” [Ahmad, Abu
Dawud, at-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah; Sahih]
• 4- Failing to intend (i.e. with the heart) to fast from before the
dawn of the day of fast.- (Note: voluntary or nafl fasting is excepted
from this requirement) Intending to stop fasting at any moment during the
day of fast. These last two actions are actions of the heart and are related
to the intention which has been shown as being an essential element [or
pillar] of fasting. These actions void the fast even if the person does not
actually eat anything. This is because the intention is one of the pillars of
the fast and, if one changes his/her intention, he/she has nullified his/her
fast. Except intercourse, a day invalidated by such an action cannot be
atoned by even fasting the whole life. Thus, in addition to the qadha’
[making up the day], the only way to atone such an act is by true and
sincere repentance and strong determination never to do it. The only
action, according to most scholars, which requires that both the day be
made up and the act of expiation be performed is having sexual
intercourse during a day of Ramadan. Abu Hurairah reported that a man
came to the Messenger of Allah and said: “I am destroyed, 0 Messenger of
Allah!” The Prophet asked: “What has destroyed you?” He said, “I had
intercourse with my wife during a day of Ramadan.” The Prophet asked:
“Are you able to free a slave?” He said, “No”. The Prophet asked: “Is it
possible for you to fast for two consecutive months?” He said, “No.” The
Prophet asked: “Is it possible for you to feed sixty poor people?” He said,
“No.” The Prophet said: “Then sit.” A basket of dates was brought to the
Prophet and he said to the man: Give this in charity. The man said: “To
someone poorer than us? There is no one in this city who is poorer than
us!” The Prophet laughed until his molar teeth could be seen and said: “Go
and feed your family with it.” [Bukhari, Muslim and others] Most scholars
say that both men and women have to perform the acts of expiation
 (Kaffarah) if they intentionally have intercourse during a day of Ramadan
on which they had intended to fast.
• 5- Injections containing nourishment - Though this type of action is
committed intentionally and thus falls under intentional eating and
drinking, it is not considered as a sin if given to a sick person in need of it.
All what is needed is to make up the day later. These injections are meant
to give nourishment intravenously so that it reaches the intestines, with
the intention of nourishing the sick person. Also if the injection reaches the
blood-stream then it likewise breaks the fast since it is being used in place
of food and drink. Similar is the use of drips containing glucose and saline
solutions, and inhalers used by people sick of asthma. May Allah relieve all
sick believers.

Involuntarily events that break the fast The fast is disrupted (and there is no
point or reward then in continuing to fast) when a woman sees the blood caused
by either of:

• 1-Menstruation
• 2-Post-childbirth bleeding, even if such bleeding begins just before the
sunset, the fast of that day is rendered invalid. A woman in this case will
have to fast a day later (qadha’) for every day (or part of day) that she
missed. If a menstruating woman ceases bleeding before dawn, then she
performs Ghusl (purifying shower) and intends to fast the next day.
However, if blood flow ceases after Fajr then she performs ghusl, and
starts praying as usual and the day has to made up after Ramadan. She
may eat and drink during that day as it is an invalid day as Shaikh Ibn
Othaymin observed. The Prophet (S) said: “Is it not that when she [the
woman] menstruates, she does not pray nor fast?” We said: Yes indeed.
He said: “That is the deficiency in her Deen [religion]. In another
narration: “She remains not praying at night and refraining from fasting in
Ramadan, that is the deficiency in her Deen”.[Muslim] The order to make
up for the days of menstruation is reported in the lesson ‘Aishah gave to
Mu‘aathah who came and asked her “Why is it that the menstruating
woman has to make up her fasts but not the prayers?” ‘Aisha said: “Are
you a Harooree(*) woman?” I (Mu‘aathah) said: “I am not a Harooree
woman, but I wish to ask”. ‘Aisha said: “That used to come upon us and so
we were ordered to make up the fasts and were never ordered to make up
the prayers” [Bukhari and Muslim]

(*)Haroorees are the people of Haroora near Koofa [Iraq]. They had the belief of
Khawarij who fought Ali radhiya Allahu ‘anh. They make it obligatory on the
woman to make up her prayers if she menstruates. ‘Aisha feared that Mu‘aathah
was among them.

H. Other Rulings Pertaining to Fasting

• The interval between the end of suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) and the start
of the obligatory prayer is the interval sufficient to recite fifty Aayaat, as
indicated by the Prophet (s.a.w.) and related by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
• Eating the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) contains many blessings and the
Prophet (s.a.w.) ordered us to do take it, forbade us from leaving it and
told us to take suhoor to make a distinction between our fast and the fast
of the People of the Book. In spite of this, Ibn Hajar reports in Fathul-
Baaree that there is Ijmaa that it is mustahabb (recommendation). Allah
knows best.
• Falsehood, ignorant and indecent speech are to be avoided as they may
render one’s fasting futile.
• A fasting person can begin fasting while in the state of Janaabah (major
state of impurity that requires bath due to a sexual intercourse), as
explained in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
• Use of Siwaak (tooth-stick) is permitted. Likewise, washing the mouth and
nose is permitted, but it should not be done strongly.
• The Prophet discouraged a youth from kissing while fasting, while he
allowed an old man since he is able to control himself.
• Pouring cold water over one’s head and taking a bath contain no harm to a
fasting person.
• It is the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of his companions to
break the fast as soon as the Sun sets even if some bright redness
remains upon the horizon. Muslims are strongly encouraged to hasten
breaking the fast. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “The Deen will not cease to
be uppermost as long as the people hasten to break the fast, since the
Jews and the Christians delay it.” [Abu Daawood, Ibn Hibbaan, Hasan]
• The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to break his fast before praying and he used to
break it with fresh dates, if not then with older dates. And if not with
dates, than with some mouthfuls of water.
• The supplication of the fasting person when he breaks his fast is not
rejected. The best du’aa’ (supplication) is that reported from Allah’s
Messenger (pbuh). He used to say when breaking the fast: “Dhahaba-DH-
DHama’u wabtallatil-’urooqu, wa thabatal ajru inshaa Allah.” (The thirst
has gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain, if Allah wills.)
[Abu Daawood, al-Baihaqee, al-Haakim and others, Hasan]
• The Prophet said: “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his
fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be
reduced from the fasting persons reward.” [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn
Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh]. Also, a fasting Muslim should not reject
invitation of another Muslim to break fast.
• As for Lailatul-Qadr, the Night of Decree, that is better than a thousand
months (see Soorah Qadr (97)), the Prophet (s.a.w.) told us: “Seek it in
the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow
that to make him miss the final seven.” [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]. That
which is the most specific states, “seek it on the (twenty) ninth and the
(twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth.” [al-Bukhaaree]
• The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to exert himself greatly during Lailatul-Qadr. He
would spend the nights in worship, detaching himself from women and
ordering his family with this. So every Muslim should be eager to stand in
prayer during Lailatul Qadr out of Iman and hoping for the great reward.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Lailatul Qadr out
of Iman and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven.” [al-
Bukhaaree, Muslim]
• The supplication that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) taught ‘Aa’isha,
radiyallaahu ‘anhaa, to say when seeking the Night of Decree is: O Allah
you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon
me.[at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah,, Saheeh]
• It is Sunnah to pray Taraweeh in congregation and the one who knew best
the practice of the Prophet (s.a.w.) at night, ‘Aa’isha, radiyallaahu ‘anhaa,
said: “Allah’s Messenger did not increase upon eleven rak’ahs in
Ramadhan, or outside it.” [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
• All who are capable should take advantage of the month of Ramadhan and
perform I’ikaaf, i.e. fully attach oneself to worshipping in the mosque. One
should inquire how the Prophet (s.a.w.) performed I’ikaaf.
• Zakaatul Fitr is prescribed by Allah as a purification for those who fasted
from loose and indecent talk, and to feed the poor Muslims as a provision
for eidul Fitr. One should inquire further about rulings related to it,
especially upon whom it is obligatory and what is its quantity.
• The last but not the least, we should strive to constantly improve our
worship and obedience of Allah the Most High, including once the month of
Ramadhan is over, inshaa’ Allah