How to
Keep Fast/Soum
THE BEGINNING AND END OF
RAMAZAAN AND THE SIGHTING OF MOON:
Like any other month, the month of Ramazaan too, may be of twenty nine "29"
or thirty "30" days.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
The month of Ramazan to start
with sighting of moon, and come to an end also with sighting of moon. that
is fasting to start with sighting of moon, and stop with sighting of moon.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
To carefully watch and monitor the dates of the month of "Sha'abaan", so
that there is no mistake in the starting date of Ramazaan.
(Abu Daud, Sanad Saheeh)
If moon has been sighted on 29th
of Sha'abaan, then start fasting from the very next day. In case moon not
sighted on 29th, then no fasting next day, and complete thirty days, and
start fasting from next day.
(Saheeh Bukhari)
If moon not sighted on 29th of
Ramazaan, then next day observe fasting (not to break fasting), complete
thirty days of the holy month of Ramazaan, and then break the fast.
(Saheeh Muslim)
The condition of sighting of moon
for the start and breaking of the fast is only for the date of 29th, not the
30th Whether the moon is sighted or not on the 30th day, start or break the
fasting from the next day.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
If moon is not sighted on 29th
day due to clouds, then complete thirty days of that month; and start
counting of the new month from the next day.
(Saheeh Bukhari)
PRE-RAMAZAAN FASTING AS A WELCOME GESTURE:
Not to observe pre-Ramazaan fasting, a day or two before the beginning of
Ramazaan. However, it is not applicable to those who are always observing
fast in these days. For example, if some one always keeps a fast on Mondays
and Thursdays and by chance 29th or 30th of Sha'abaan happens to fall on
Monday or Thursday, then he may observe a fast on that day.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
THE INTENTION AND THE BEGINNING (START) OF (SOUM) FAST:
The fasting time starts with dawn of the day, as such one must bear in mind
to intend for fasting, before the dawn of the day, and as soon as the dawn
starts; stop eating, drinking and sexual intercourse.
(Surah: Baqarah, Verse: 187, Abu Daud, Sanad Saheeh)
Intention is defined as a
determination, wish in heart. For every action, intention or determination
has a key role to play. If the intention (purpose) behind an action is to
win Allah's pleasure and favour, then that action will be granted approval
by Allah, otherwise not. So for Soum (fasting) too, have the intention in
the heart, "I am fasting exclusively for Allah's will and pleasure".
(Saheeh Bukhari)
Note: Not to have verbal intention for fasting, as it is an
innovation, Bid'at.
WARNING: CAUTION:
Regarding the obligatory (Farz) Soum (fasting), without any solid religious
reason or ground, no body has the authority, option, of keeping or not
keeping the fast. So, if any one for any part of the day, exercised his own
authority for having no intention to fast, then for that part of the day,
the fasting remained without intention. Although having an intention is very
important and is the very basis for all deeds
More over, the part of the day for which the man had no intention to fast,
also proves that he behaved as a sole authority for that part of the day,
whether to fast or not; although no one gave him the authority or power he
exercised. In-fact he should have considered himself bound to Allah's will
and bowed in total submission, and instead had the intention to fast since
dawn of the day.
DAWN: DAY BREAK:
By dawn of the day is meant, the day break, the light of the day.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
Dawn does not mean the light,
which is a long line or streak, but it is that light which is dispersed or
spread in the entire atmosphere.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
SEHRI:
The food taken a little before dawn during the fasting month of Ramazaan is
known as SEHRI. Sehri is taken by Muslims only; as such it also draws the
line of demarcation between the followers of Islam and the followers of
other "Divine Books". There is also goodness and blessing in Sehri.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
Sehri to be taken during the last part of the night, a little before dawn.
(Saheeh Bukhari)
Sehri must be taken, may be just a glass of water.
(Rawah Ibn-e-Asakir, Sanad Saheeh)
The interval between Sehri and
Fajr salaat, to be just that long so as to permit recitation of fifty verses
in between the gap.
(Saheeh Muslim)
In case, before dawn, an azaan is
given as a caution for Fajr salaat, then on hearing this azaan not to stop
eating and drinking. In fact this azaan is given to wake up the one, who is
in the bed, for Fajr salaat, and send back the one, who is offering Tahajjud
salaat, (to finish Tahajjud). As a matter of fact, this salaat has relevance
neither to Ramazaan nor Sehri. This azaan may be given through out the year.
It is primarily for awaking the one in bed, and asking the other to finish
Tahajjud salaat so that both could make preparations for Fajr salaat. The
azaan is given when it is still night, and there is no fasting during the
night. However, hearing the azaan, given at dawn, one should stop eating and
drinking.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
If a bowl is in hand, and there is Fajr azaan after the dawn, then may
consume what ever is in the bowl. This is a concession from Allah.
(Abu Daud, Sanad Saheeh)
THE COMPLETION (END) OF FAST, AND BREAK OF FAST (IFTAAR):
After having started the fast, until night, that is sun set; not to eat,
drink or have sexual intercourse. To break the fast as soon as the sunset
has taken place, this is the time when the night (darkness) starts appearing
in the east, and the light of day has moved to the west. (Saheeh Bukhari,
Saheeh Muslim)
Very hurriedly to break the fast
after sun set has taken place, and there be no delay in breaking the fast.
(IFTAAR).
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
At Iftar, breaking the fast recite this supplication:
Translation: The thirst has been quenched, and the arteries soaked;
and the reward established, with the will of Allah. (Abu Daud, Sanad Saheeh)
To break the fast with dates, if dates not available, with dried date; even
if dried date is not available, with water. Date is blissful and water the
purifier.
(Tirmizi, Sanad Saheeh)
To break fast before maghrib
salaat.
(Tirmizi, Sanad Saheeh)
If, on account of clouds has broken the fast, by mistake, before sunset,
then there is no harm in doing so.
(Saheeh Bukhari)
There is no harm, if due to
omission has eaten some thing while fasting. However, after that omission,
complete the fast till the time of maghrib.
(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
For More Details Regarding Fasting
Please See Details in Our Book: Som-ul-Muslimeen
