Essentials of fasting in Ramadan

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These days, we are living a unique, blessed segment of the year. It is Ramadan: a time of fasting, recitation of the Quran; it is a month of Mercy and Forgiveness, and it is also a special time for families and communities.
Ramadan is an occasion in which Muslims try their utmost to demonstrate good behavior and sincere worship as well as give of themselves, their time and wealth as much as possible. But it is not only that deliberate and purposeful effort they put forward that allow Muslims the chance to express their good side more than at any other time in the year, rather, it is the reconditioning and an eye-opening experience, provided by Ramadan, that changes a person's outlook and perception of life. Hunger and thirst, abstention from lawful worldly pleasures along with the intense worship, for an extended period, delivers an immeasurable positive impact on the person who willingly takes part in it. It is for this reason that those who experience this blissfulness of the soul never tire of it, and instead long for it year after year, anxious to taste the richness and joyfulness once again.
The fasting of Ramadan is obligatory. In fact, it is the fourth pillar of Islam. Allah prescribed daily fasting for all able adult Muslims during the whole of the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, beginning with the sighting of the new moon Allah Says (what means). {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.} [Quran 2:183]. It is also clear from this verse that Allah has made fasting obligatory upon Muslims in accordance to His Way of having the faithful acquire and maintain righteousness.
No wonder then that fasting, whether during Ramadan or voluntary fasting, is highly regarded by Allah, The Most High. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  said: "Allah said, `Every action of the son of Aadam is for him except fasting, for that is solely for Me. I give the reward for it: The fast is a shield. If one is fasting, he should not use foul language, raise his voice, or behave foolishly. If someone reviles him or fights with him he should say, `I am fasting’. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the (bad) breath of the one who is fasting is better in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection than the smell of musk. The one who is fasting rejoices at two times: when he breaks his fast he is happy with it, and when he meets his Lord he will be happy that he has fasted."[Muslim]
In keeping up with the spirit of this great month, we present below some of the rulings that one must keep in mind so that the benefits of his fasting are maximized:
- Having the correct intention is essential. The Prophet  said: "Actions are judged according to the intention behind them." [Al-Bukhari] The intention must be made before Fajr (dawn) and during every night of Ramadan. It is also acceptable to make the intention for fasting the whole month only once at the beginning of Ramadan.
- Fasting is obligatory upon every sane, healthy, adult Muslim male who is not traveling. As for a woman, fasting is also an obligation unless she is traveling, menstruating or having post-childbirth bleeding.

- Fasting is to be observed from first light of dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Furthermore, one is to abstain from lying, malicious gossip, quarreling, and trivial nonsense, as much as humanly possible.
- Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast, but must make up an equal number of days later in the year. If physically unable to do so, they must feed a needy person for each day missed. Children must begin to fast (and to observe the Prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.
The following groups may break the fast, but must pay a "ransom" for not fasting: Elderly men and women are permitted to break their fasts, as are the chronically ill, and those who have to perform difficult jobs under harsh circumstances and who could not find any other way to support themselves. They are obliged to feed one poor person a day (for every day of fasting that they do not perform).
- The fasting on the "Day of Doubt" is not permitted. Ammaar Ibn Yaasir  said: "Whoever fasts the `day of doubt' has disobeyed Abu Al-Qaassim (the Prophet )." [Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah]. The `Day of Doubt' is the 30th day of the month of Sha'baan when (on the 29th) the moon was not sighted because of some obstacles in the air like clouds, rains, etc.
The majority of scholars are of the opinion that if one fasts on such a day and it turns out to be Ramadan, then that day still must to be made up later. If, however, such a day occurs during one's regular fasting period, then it is permissible to fast on such a day.
- Having the pre-dawn meal or Suhoor is an important Sunnah that should be observed. Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  said: "The pre-dawn meal is blessed, so do not neglect it even if you only take a sip of water. Verily, Allah and the angels pray for those who have pre-dawn meals." [Ahmad]
- If one is in doubt whether or not the time of Fajr has begun, he may continue to eat and drink until he is certain that it is Fajr. In the Quran, Allah Almighty Says (what means): {…eat and drink until the white thread of he dawn becomes distinct from the black thread (of the night)…} [Quran 2:187]
Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said to a man who asked about this issue by saying: "Continue to eat until you are certain about the time." In our time, the prayer time tables should be followed in places where Athaan cannot be heard. If one lives in a place where he can hear it, then one should abstain immediately as soon as the Athaan is heard.
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  said: "Fasting is not (abstaining) form eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’” [Ibn Hibbaan and Al-Haakim]
- Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Prophet  was the most generous of people, but he would be most generous during Ramadan when he would meet with (the angel) Jabreel to study the Quran.” [Al-Bukhari]
- 'Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, was quoted as saying that during the last ten days of Ramadan; the messenger of Allah would wake up his wives during the night and then remain apart from them (i.e., being busy in acts of worship). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].