How to Fast?

Intention Comes First…

Fasting is a worship by which one refrains from certain prohibitions set down by Allah for a certain period of time (between dawn and sunset). Like all other rituals, the validity of this worship is bound to certain rules and conditions. First of all, the person wanting to fast should intend to perform this worship for the sake of Allah. The intention is actually done by heart. Uttering the intention by tongue, however, is better. The most important aspect for the fasting person is that he pursues the will of Allah, and that he sincerely wants to fulfill his duty towards Him without an unwary heart and without hypocrisy in his worship. Actions are but by intentions (Bukhari, Badu al-wahy, 1) People's worship and actions are valued in accordance with the sincerity of their intentions.

Dawn to Sunset

A person who intends to fulfill the fasting with sincerity towards Allah refrains from eating, drinking and sexual intimacy from dawn to sunset. Dawn (imsak) signals the begin of the prohibitions due to the fast. When the dawn rises and the horizon turns white, the time for the night prayer ends and the time for the dawn prayer begins. At the same time, dawn signals the end of the morning meal (sahur) and the beginning of the fast. (Comission, İlmihal I, TDV Yay., Ankara, 2005, 381) 

Waking up and having a meal just before dawn, before the horizon turns white, is recommended by our religion. This was the practice of our Prophet. He said, “Wake up for sahur. For there is blessing in the sahur breakfast.” (Muslim, Sawm, 45). Waking up for sahur and having breakfast at that time strengthens the fasting person physically and aids in attaining the benefits of being awake during a blessed time. The meal of sahur brings the whole family together so they experience the enthusiasm of Ramadan and gain the benefits of this holy month. The biggest difference between the fast of Muslims and the fast of Ahl al-kitab (the People of the Book), as the Prophet informed, is the sahur.(Muslim, Sawm, 46). He and his companions would show great care to waking up for sahur.

The fasting ritual starts with dawn and ends at sunset. The time of Iftar starts with sunset and ends the prohibitions of the fast. The Muslims celebrate the completion of their fasts by opening their fasts during the evening Adhan. Their joy shall not be restricted to this world, but rather it will extend to the Next. For the Prophet of Allah said: ”…the believer has two enjoyments: One is the joy they experience during the break of their fasts, the second is joy they experience when they meet Allah and see (the rewards of) their fasts.”  (Muslim, Sawm, 163). He gives the fasting person even more good news: “Allah saves people (from the Hell fire) at every iftar meal. He does this every night of Ramadan.” Ibn Majah, Sawm, 2)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) would break his fast with a modest meal, far removed from vanity and extravagance. He never forgot to thank Allah, and he would break his fast with the following words:  “Gone is thirst, the veins have rejoined with water. With the will of Allah, we have acquired the reward of fasting.” (Abu Dawud,  Sawm, 22)  or  “O Allah! I fast for Your sake. And I break my fast with Your sustenance." (Abu Dawud, Sawm, 22).  After eating, he would pray, “Break your fasts with those who fast, let the good ones eat from your food so the angels ask forgiveness for you.” (Abu Dawud, At'ima, 54) 

We will experience the blessings of Ramadan when we share our meals with others, especially the needy and poor. Then will we attain the spirit of Ramadan at our tables, and gain the mercy of Allah. The Prophet of Allah showed us this path: “When a person gives a meal to a fasting person, he will get the same reward as the one fasting.” (Tirmidhi, Sawm, 82)