THE FAST DESCRIBED

The Intention to Fast 

The Messenger of Allah said. ‘Whoever does not determine that he will fast before Fajr will have no fast.’ (sunan of abu dawood; sunan of tirmidhi; sunan of nasaa'ee)

All actions are by intention. During the night prior to the commencement of the fast we should make the intention to fast, for the intention precedes action and the night precedes the day. And the general principle remains whereby we voice intentions for acts of worship silently with fasting being no exception. We should also guard our intentions making our worship for Allah alone and preventing our intentions from being diverted to other than Him. For example, some Muslims talk about weight loss during Ramadaan. Although there is nothing wrong with losing weight during Ramadaan, it becomes a problem when we are fasting with the intention to lose weight. Similarly some people in Muslim countries fast out of convenience with shops and stores closed and no food readily available unless they return home. So in all reality they are fasting out of convenience and not making their worship purely for Allah. Others will purposefully switch their day and night cycle which allows them to stay up eating during the night and sleep excessively during the day. This again defeats the purpose of the fast and the intention of deliberately switching cycles negates making the intention for Allah alone. So we should all understand the nature of the intention and guard it firmly for only then can we be counted amongst those who have Ikhlaas and hope that our deeds will be accepted by Allah. 

The Beginning of the Fast

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

Adiyy ibn Haatim narrated, “When the verse was revealed I placed a black rope and a white rope underneath my pillow. I continued to look at them during the night but could not distinguish between them. I therefore went to the Messenger of Allah and mentioned this to him. He said, ‘Verily that refers to the blackness of the night and the whiteness of the day.’” (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

And we are allowed to eat and drink and have sexual relations up until the
beginning of Fajr.

The Prophet said, ‘The adhaan pronounced by Bilaal should not stop you from taking Sahoor for he pronounces the adhaan at night. Hence eat and drink until you hear the adaan by ibn umm makhtoom, for he does not call the adhaan until Fajr. (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

The adhaan for the true fajr was given by ibn umm makhtoom who was the beloved blind old companion of the Prophet. Bilaal used to call the first adhaan for fajr which was during tahajjud time and hence it is known by the people of knowledge as the false fajr.

The Prohibitions during the Fast

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

The Breaking of the Fast- Iftaar

Then complete your fast till nightfall (Quran 2:187)

Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘If the night approaches from here (east) and the day recedes from there (west) and the sun sets then the fasting person must break his fast.’ (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

In Shareeah nightfall is defined as Al Maghrib time when the sun has set with its disc completely gone. In describing Maghrib time our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us to look towards the east and west, for we will see the night approaching from the east as the day recedes from the west with completion of sunset. Once the sun has completely set, Maghrib time has begun and the time for breaking the fast has arrived irrespective of whether there is light in the sky. This is the time for Iftaar.   

Sahl bin sa’d narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, ‘The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the Iftaar. (saheeh of bukhari)

It is not righteousness to deliberately delay breaking the fast. We must hasten to break the fast at the beginning of Maghrib time. In places where there is no Adhaan we should look at the natural signs in the sky to define the beginning of Maghrib time. If we have a Masjid nearby wherein the Adhaan is pronounced on time we should break the fast upon hearing the Adhaan and not upon the completion of the Adhaan for it is the beginning of Maghrib time that we are seeking. 

We should also be clear that sunset is distinct from the Shafaq which follows it. The Shafaq is the suns afterglow which appears as an orange-red glow on the western horizon and its presence defines the duration of Maghrib time. If the Shafaq remains, time for Maghrib prayer remains but the fast should be broken as soon as the sun sets with no attention paid to the suns afterglow. Once the Shafaq disappears Eshaa time begins with the stars becoming increasing visible and the darkness of night enveloping the nightsky. This marks the time when Eshaa prayer can be offered but the fast is broken at sunset with no attention paid to the appearance of stars or the darkness of night. Allah has linked following the Sunna with right guidance and offering Iftaar at Sunset is the Sunna of our Prophet. The above hadeeth of Sahl bin Sa’d should suffice us. 

The Prophet used to say at the time of Iftaar, ‘O Allah! I kept the fast for You, and with Your sustenance I am breaking it. The thirst has gone, and the veins replenished, and the reward is confirmed Insha Allah.’ (sunan of abu dawood)

Anas Ibn Maalik said: The Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water. (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: when one of you breaks his fast, he should do so with dates, because it has barakah (blessings). If he couldn’t get dates, then water because it purifies. (Tirmidhi)

We should try our best to break the fast with either fresh dates, dry dates or water. But the preference is clearly with dates and there is barakah in this. And sisters should send each other dates to facilitate this affair in case one is busy or forgets.

It is reported that The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast before the Maghrib Salaat. (musnaad of ahmad; sunan of abu dawood)

And we do not wait for the adhaan or the maghrib salaat for the breaking of the fast. The fast should be broken based on the above ahadeeth and then we proceed with maghrib salaat as per the sunna of our beloved Prophet.


Written by Kamillah Khan

THE FAST DESCRIBED

The Intention to Fast 

The Messenger of Allah said. ‘Whoever does not determine that he will fast before Fajr will have no fast.’ (sunan of abu dawood; sunan of tirmidhi; sunan of nasaa'ee)

All actions are by intention. During the night prior to the commencement of the fast we should make the intention to fast, for the intention precedes action and the night precedes the day. And the general principle remains whereby we voice intentions for acts of worship silently with fasting being no exception. We should also guard our intentions making our worship for Allah alone and preventing our intentions from being diverted to other than Him. For example, some Muslims talk about weight loss during Ramadaan. Although there is nothing wrong with losing weight during Ramadaan, it becomes a problem when we are fasting with the intention to lose weight. Similarly some people in Muslim countries fast out of convenience with shops and stores closed and no food readily available unless they return home. So in all reality they are fasting out of convenience and not making their worship purely for Allah. Others will purposefully switch their day and night cycle which allows them to stay up eating during the night and sleep excessively during the day. This again defeats the purpose of the fast and the intention of deliberately switching cycles negates making the intention for Allah alone. So we should all understand the nature of the intention and guard it firmly for only then can we be counted amongst those who have Ikhlaas and hope that our deeds will be accepted by Allah. 

The Beginning of the Fast

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

Adiyy ibn Haatim narrated, “When the verse was revealed I placed a black rope and a white rope underneath my pillow. I continued to look at them during the night but could not distinguish between them. I therefore went to the Messenger of Allah and mentioned this to him. He said, ‘Verily that refers to the blackness of the night and the whiteness of the day.’” (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

And we are allowed to eat and drink and have sexual relations up until the
beginning of Fajr.

The Prophet said, ‘The adhaan pronounced by Bilaal should not stop you from taking Sahoor for he pronounces the adhaan at night. Hence eat and drink until you hear the adaan by ibn umm makhtoom, for he does not call the adhaan until Fajr. (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

The adhaan for the true fajr was given by ibn umm makhtoom who was the beloved blind old companion of the Prophet. Bilaal used to call the first adhaan for fajr which was during tahajjud time and hence it is known by the people of knowledge as the false fajr.

The Prohibitions during the Fast

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

The Breaking of the Fast- Iftaar

Then complete your fast till nightfall (Quran 2:187)

Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘If the night approaches from here (east) and the day recedes from there (west) and the sun sets then the fasting person must break his fast.’ (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

In Shareeah nightfall is defined as Al Maghrib time when the sun has set with its disc completely gone. In describing Maghrib time our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us to look towards the east and west, for we will see the night approaching from the east as the day recedes from the west with completion of sunset. Once the sun has completely set, Maghrib time has begun and the time for breaking the fast has arrived irrespective of whether there is light in the sky. This is the time for Iftaar.   

Sahl bin sa’d narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, ‘The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the Iftaar. (saheeh of bukhari)

It is not righteousness to deliberately delay breaking the fast. We must hasten to break the fast at the beginning of Maghrib time. In places where there is no Adhaan we should look at the natural signs in the sky to define the beginning of Maghrib time. If we have a Masjid nearby wherein the Adhaan is pronounced on time we should break the fast upon hearing the Adhaan and not upon the completion of the Adhaan for it is the beginning of Maghrib time that we are seeking. 

We should also be clear that sunset is distinct from the Shafaq which follows it. The Shafaq is the suns afterglow which appears as an orange-red glow on the western horizon and its presence defines the duration of Maghrib time. If the Shafaq remains, time for Maghrib prayer remains but the fast should be broken as soon as the sun sets with no attention paid to the suns afterglow. Once the Shafaq disappears Eshaa time begins with the stars becoming increasing visible and the darkness of night enveloping the nightsky. This marks the time when Eshaa prayer can be offered but the fast is broken at sunset with no attention paid to the appearance of stars or the darkness of night. Allah has linked following the Sunna with right guidance and offering Iftaar at Sunset is the Sunna of our Prophet. The above hadeeth of Sahl bin Sa’d should suffice us. 

The Prophet used to say at the time of Iftaar, ‘O Allah! I kept the fast for You, and with Your sustenance I am breaking it. The thirst has gone, and the veins replenished, and the reward is confirmed Insha Allah.’ (sunan of abu dawood)

Anas Ibn Maalik said: The Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water. (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: when one of you breaks his fast, he should do so with dates, because it has barakah (blessings). If he couldn’t get dates, then water because it purifies. (Tirmidhi)

We should try our best to break the fast with either fresh dates, dry dates or water. But the preference is clearly with dates and there is barakah in this. And sisters should send each other dates to facilitate this affair in case one is busy or forgets.

It is reported that The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast before the Maghrib Salaat. (musnaad of ahmad; sunan of abu dawood)

And we do not wait for the adhaan or the maghrib salaat for the breaking of the fast. The fast should be broken based on the above ahadeeth and then we proceed with maghrib salaat as per the sunna of our beloved Prophet.


Written by Kamillah Khan



The Intention to Fast 

The Messenger of Allah said. ‘Whoever does not determine that he will fast before Fajr will have no fast.’ (sunan of abu dawood; sunan of tirmidhi; sunan of nasaa'ee)

All actions are by intention. During the night prior to the commencement of the fast we should make the intention to fast, for the intention precedes action and the night precedes the day. And the general principle remains whereby we voice intentions for acts of worship silently with fasting being no exception. We should also guard our intentions making our worship for Allah alone and preventing our intentions from being diverted to other than Him. For example, some Muslims talk about weight loss during Ramadaan. Although there is nothing wrong with losing weight during Ramadaan, it becomes a problem when we are fasting with the intention to lose weight. Similarly some people in Muslim countries fast out of convenience with shops and stores closed and no food readily available unless they return home. So in all reality they are fasting out of convenience and not making their worship purely for Allah. Others will purposefully switch their day and night cycle which allows them to stay up eating during the night and sleep excessively during the day. This again defeats the purpose of the fast and the intention of deliberately switching cycles negates making the intention for Allah alone. So we should all understand the nature of the intention and guard it firmly for only then can we be counted amongst those who have Ikhlaas and hope that our deeds will be accepted by Allah. 

The Beginning of the Fast

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

Adiyy ibn Haatim narrated, “When the verse was revealed I placed a black rope and a white rope underneath my pillow. I continued to look at them during the night but could not distinguish between them. I therefore went to the Messenger of Allah and mentioned this to him. He said, ‘Verily that refers to the blackness of the night and the whiteness of the day.’” (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

And we are allowed to eat and drink and have sexual relations up until the
beginning of Fajr.

The Prophet said, ‘The adhaan pronounced by Bilaal should not stop you from taking Sahoor for he pronounces the adhaan at night. Hence eat and drink until you hear the adaan by ibn umm makhtoom, for he does not call the adhaan until Fajr. (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

The adhaan for the true fajr was given by ibn umm makhtoom who was the beloved blind old companion of the Prophet. Bilaal used to call the first adhaan for fajr which was during tahajjud time and hence it is known by the people of knowledge as the false fajr.

The Prohibitions during the Fast

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

The Breaking of the Fast- Iftaar

Then complete your fast till nightfall (Quran 2:187)

Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘If the night approaches from here (east) and the day recedes from there (west) and the sun sets then the fasting person must break his fast.’ (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

In Shareeah nightfall is defined as Al Maghrib time when the sun has set with its disc completely gone. In describing Maghrib time our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us to look towards the east and west, for we will see the night approaching from the east as the day recedes from the west with completion of sunset. Once the sun has completely set, Maghrib time has begun and the time for breaking the fast has arrived irrespective of whether there is light in the sky. This is the time for Iftaar.   

Sahl bin sa’d narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, ‘The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the Iftaar. (saheeh of bukhari)

It is not righteousness to deliberately delay breaking the fast. We must hasten to break the fast at the beginning of Maghrib time. In places where there is no Adhaan we should look at the natural signs in the sky to define the beginning of Maghrib time. If we have a Masjid nearby wherein the Adhaan is pronounced on time we should break the fast upon hearing the Adhaan and not upon the completion of the Adhaan for it is the beginning of Maghrib time that we are seeking. 

We should also be clear that sunset is distinct from the Shafaq which follows it. The Shafaq is the suns afterglow which appears as an orange-red glow on the western horizon and its presence defines the duration of Maghrib time. If the Shafaq remains, time for Maghrib prayer remains but the fast should be broken as soon as the sun sets with no attention paid to the suns afterglow. Once the Shafaq disappears Eshaa time begins with the stars becoming increasing visible and the darkness of night enveloping the nightsky. This marks the time when Eshaa prayer can be offered but the fast is broken at sunset with no attention paid to the appearance of stars or the darkness of night. Allah has linked following the Sunna with right guidance and offering Iftaar at Sunset is the Sunna of our Prophet. The above hadeeth of Sahl bin Sa’d should suffice us. 

The Prophet used to say at the time of Iftaar, ‘O Allah! I kept the fast for You, and with Your sustenance I am breaking it. The thirst has gone, and the veins replenished, and the reward is confirmed Insha Allah.’ (sunan of abu dawood)

Anas Ibn Maalik said: The Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water. (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: when one of you breaks his fast, he should do so with dates, because it has barakah (blessings). If he couldn’t get dates, then water because it purifies. (Tirmidhi)

We should try our best to break the fast with either fresh dates, dry dates or water. But the preference is clearly with dates and there is barakah in this. And sisters should send each other dates to facilitate this affair in case one is busy or forgets.

It is reported that The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast before the Maghrib Salaat. (musnaad of ahmad; sunan of abu dawood)

And we do not wait for the adhaan or the maghrib salaat for the breaking of the fast. The fast should be broken based on the above ahadeeth and then we proceed with maghrib salaat as per the sunna of our beloved Prophet.


Written by Kamillah Khan

The Fast Described
From Fajr to Maghrib









Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘If the night approaches from here (east) and the day recedes from there (west) and the sun sets then the fasting person must break his fast.’
(saheeh of bukhari)













And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

The Fast Described

The Intention to Fast

The Messenger of Allah said. ‘Whoever does not determine that he will fast before Fajr will have no fast.' (sunan of abu dawood; sunan of tirmidhi; sunan of nasaa'ee)

All actions are by intention. During the night prior to the commencement of the fast we should make the intention to fast, for the intention precedes action and the night precedes the day. And the general principle remains whereby we voice intentions for acts of worship silently with fasting being no exception. We should also guard our intentions making our worship for Allah alone and preventing our intentions from being diverted to other than Him. For example, some Muslims talk about weight loss during Ramadaan. Although there is nothing wrong with losing weight during Ramadaan, it becomes a problem when we are fasting with the intention to lose weight. Similarly some people in Muslim countries fast out of convenience with shops and stores closed and no food readily available unless they return home. So in all reality they are fasting out of convenience and not making their worship purely for Allah. Others will purposefully switch their day and night cycle which allows them to stay up eating during the night and sleep excessively during the day. This again defeats the purpose of the fast and the intention of deliberately switching cycles negates making the intention for Allah alone. So we should all understand the nature of the intention and guard it firmly for only then can we be counted amongst those who have Ikhlaas and hope that our deeds will be accepted by Allah. 

The Beginning of the Fast

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

Adiyy bin Haatim narrated, 'When the verse was revealed i placed a black rope and a white rope underneath my pillow. I continued to look at them during the night but could not distinguish between them. I therefore went to the Messenger of Allah and asked him about it. He said, 'Verily that refers to the blackness of the night and the whiteness of the day.' (saheeh of bukhaari; saheeh of muslim)

The fast begins at the beginning of Fajr time or the crack of dawn. There are a few signs which mark the beginning of Fajr.

And in the nighttime also glorify His praises and at the Idbaar of the stars (Quran 52:49)

Just before Fajr the stars begin to withdraw and disappear from our sight. It is in this context that Allah describes the Idbaar of the stars, referring to their departure from human sight.

Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Prophet said, ''The time for Fajr Salaat is from Tuloo’ al Fajr (the rising of Fajr) as long as the sun has not risen (saheeh of muslim)

Thereafter the Fajr begins to appear and spread from the eastern horizon and this is known as Tuloo' al Fajr. This is when the Adhaan for Fajr should be announced and when the fast begins. After this point, offering Fajr prayer becomes permissible while eating and drinking become forbidden.    

The Prohibitions during the Fast

Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives (Quran 2:187)

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (Quran 2:187)

During the fast we refrain from eating, drinking and having sexual relations. These are the prohibitions which Allah has imposed during the fast.

The Breaking of the Fast (Iftaar)

Then complete your fast till the night (Quran 2:187)

Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘If the night approaches from here (east) and the day recedes from there (west) and the sun sets then the fasting person must break his fast.’ (saheeh of bukhari; saheeh of muslim)

The night begins at Maghrib time when the sun has set with its disc completely gone. In describing Maghrib time our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us to look towards the east and west, for we will see the night approaching from the east as the day recedes from the west with completion of sunset. Once the sun has completely set, Maghrib time has begun and the time for breaking the fast has arrived irrespective of whether there is light in the sky. This is the time for Iftaar.   

Sahl bin sa’d narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, ‘The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the Iftaar. (saheeh of bukhari)

It is not righteousness to deliberately delay breaking the fast. We must hasten to break the fast at the beginning of Maghrib time. In places where there is no Adhaan we should look at the natural signs in the sky to define the beginning of Maghrib time. If we have a Masjid nearby wherein the Adhaan is pronounced on time we should break the fast upon hearing the Adhaan and not upon the completion of the Adhaan for it is the beginning of Maghrib time that we are seeking. We should also be clear that sunset is distinct from the Shafaq which follows it. The Shafaq is the suns afterglow which appears as an orange-red glow on the western horizon and its presence defines the duration of Maghrib time. If the Shafaq remains, time for Maghrib prayer remains but the fast should be broken as soon as the sun sets with no attention paid to the suns afterglow. Once the Shafaq disappears Eshaa time begins with the stars becoming increasing visible and the darkness of night enveloping the nightsky. This marks the time when Eshaa prayer can be offered but the fast is broken at sunset with no attention paid to the appearance of stars or the darkness of night. We must hasten to break the fast immediately after the completion of sunset.  

The Prophet used to say at the time of Iftaar, ‘O Allah! I kept the fast for You, and with Your sustenance I am breaking it. The thirst has gone, and the veins replenished, and the reward is confirmed Insha Allah.’ (sunan of abu dawood)

Our Prophet used to supplicate at the time of breaking the fast. In the above supplication he mentioned how he kept the fast for Allah and how he broke the fast with sustenance provided by Allah. This is a beautiful supplication full of Tawheed for he not only acknowledged that he kept the fast for Allah but he also remembered that he broke the fast from the sustenance provided by Allah. Although we may remember that we fasted for the sake of Allah, we may forget that we are breaking the fast using the provision of Allah. By remembering both these aspects we are nearer to thanking Allah with pure words of Tawheed.   

Anas Ibn Maalik said, 'The Prophet used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water.' (sunan of abu dawood; musnaad of ahmad)

The Prophet said,'When one of you breaks his fast, he should do so with dates because it has barakah. If he couldn’t get dates, then water because it purifies.' (sunan of tirmidhi)

We should try our best to break the fast with either fresh dates, dry dates or water in that order of preference. This is the Sunna although it is permissible to break the fast with any halaal food or drink. 

The Maghrib Prayer after Iftaar

Anas bin Maalik said, 'The Prophet used to break fast with fresh dates before he prayed.' (musnaad of ahmad; sunan of abu dawood)

The Prophet would break the fast with dates and then proceed with Maghrib prayer. If he felt a need he would eat a meal after offering Maghrib prayer. So we should pay attention to this sequence and not confuse Iftaar with the evening meal, for Iftaar refers to the act of simply breaking the fast and not the evening meal itself. By following the correct sequence we will break our fast immediately after sunset, then offer Maghrib prayer during its prescribed time, then relax and enjoy an evening meal should we wish to do so.    

Written by Kamillah Khan