24 LSSONS tN

FASTING


Osai d Al -Houtary

lcd:ca':on lcd:ca':on lcd:ca':on lcd:ca':on

l dcd:ca'c ': :a oo :n a':nq 'o
!, a'cr,
!o'cr,
lro'cr
:'cr,
\:c,
!, on \acc:
!, lauq'cr Noor,
^nd a !u::
ot:nq, .:' Cod avor, 'a' :' .: :nd
accct'ancc.

Oa:d ^-ou'ar,
!O/O!/2OO9

............................................................................... 6
Fasting of the Predecessors ...................................... 6
............................................................................... 7
Definition of Fasting.................................................. 7
LESSON 3............................................................................... 8
The Elements of the Fasting..................................... 8
LESSON 4............................................................................. 10
The Various Kinds of Fasts .................................... 10
LESSON 5............................................................................. 12
The Importance of Fasting in Islm...................... 12
LESSON 6............................................................................ 13
When Do Muslims Fast?......................................... 13
LESSON 7............................................................................. 15
Merits of the Month of Ramadan.......................... 15
LESSON 8............................................................................. 17
Ramadan Checklist ................................................. 17
LESSON 9............................................................................. 19
How to Spend Ramadan......................................... 19
LESSON 10........................................................................... 21
Who Must Fast and Who is Exempt From Fasting?
................................................................................... 21
LESSON 11........................................................................... 23
Things Which Do Not Invalidate the Fast ............ 23
LESSON 12........................................................................... 25
Things Which Invalidate the Fast.......................... 25
LESSON 13.......................................................................... 28
Acts Rendering the Fast Makrooh......................... 28
LESSON 14........................................................................... 29
When Breaking of the Fast is Obligatory ............. 29
LESSON 15.......................................................................... 30
Why Do Muslims Fast In Ramadan? .................... 30
LESSON 16.......................................................................... 33
What to do in Ramadan Eve .................................. 33
LESSON 17........................................................................... 34

Tarwh Prayer........................................................ 34
LESSON 18.......................................................................... 36
Etiquette of Breaking the Fast ............................... 36
LESSON: 19 ......................................................................... 38
Night of Power......................................................... 38
LESSON 20........................................................................... 39
Retreat (Itikf)........................................................ 39
LESSON 21.......................................................................... 41
Special Prayersin Ramadan.................................. 41
LESSON 22.......................................................................... 47
Zakt al-Fitr ............................................................ 47
LESSON 23.......................................................................... 49
The Night of Eid...................................................... 49
LESSON 24.......................................................................... 52
The Prayer of Fast-Breaking Feast ....................... 52
(d al-Fitr) ............................................................. 52

,,` ,` ` ,
.` ~ .' -' ~` , .' `` .` .` .` ~ .' -' ~` , .' `` .` .` .` ~ .' -' ~` , .' `` .` .` .` ~ .' -' ~` , .' `` .` .`
. . . .

. . . . . . . .


' ' ' '




.- , , .- , , .- , , .- , ,

. . . . . . . .

o oo o ,.. |. s-|.-.- os.-.... ,.. |. s-|.-.- os.-.... ,.. |. s-|.-.- os.-.... ,.. |. s-|.-.- os.-.... .. .. .. .. s... s... s... s... . .. ..|- .|- .|- .|-
...... ...... ...... ...... .. ,.-....s-a ... ,.. .. .. .. ,.-....s-a ... .. ,.-....s-a ... ,.. .. .. .. ,.-....s-a ... .. ,.-....s-a ... ,.. .. .. .. ,.-....s-a ... .. ,.-....s-a ... ,.. .. .. .. ,.-....s-a ...
.|..- s-...- ,.., .|.. ,.. .., s-...- .|..- s-...- ,.., .|.. ,.. .., s-...- .|..- s-...- ,.., .|.. ,.. .., s-...- .|..- s-...- ,.., .|.. ,.. .., s-...- .| .| .| .|
V..... V..... V..... V....... .. .. ... .. .
(Qur'an 2: J83)







LESSON 1
Fasting of the Predecessors

O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm [the fasting] is
prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you...
( Quran 2:183)

This verse shows that fasting was observed by the nations had
come to the scene before Muslim Ummah. No one knows
exactly when fasting started but it is clear that fasting is the
practice of all the Prophets of Allah and their followers:

1. The Prophet () told us that Dwd () used to fast
for half of the year.
2. Ms () observed fast for 40 days (Exodus 24:18).
3. s (Jesus) () was said to have fasted for 40 days
before he was called to prophethood (Matthew 4: 2)
And this is what the Christians termed the Lent.
That was the Way of Allah in the case of those who passed
away of old, and you will not find any change in the Way of
Allah. (Quran33:62)
Thus, fasting should be considered as a propagation of the
tradition approved by Allah () for all those who submit to
Him.



LESSON 2
Definition of Fasting
1. Literally:
The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) is derived from the root
sma literally means to restrain or to refrain, so fasting
is refraining from normal things, such as eating, drinking,
talking. If any one refrain from these thing, he is considered
sim which means the observer of fast.
2. Religiously:
Fasting means to refrain from things that invalidate (break)
the fasting from Morning Prayer time (break dawn), with
intention to please Allah (), till Sunset Prayer time.








8
LESSON 3
The Elements of the Fasting
1. Having the Intention
It is obligatory for the fasting person to confirm his/her
intension before Morning Prayer (Salt al-Fajr) time. The
Prophet () said: He who does not intend during the night to
fast, then there is no fast for him Narrated by An-Nasai.
However, most of Ulama affirm that one can confirm ones
intention once at the beginning of the month of Ramadan, and
this will be sufficient to fast all the days of this holy month.
The heart is the place of intension and to utter it verbally is
not established from the Prophet () or the Companions ().
Thus one can make in ones heart intension before going to
sleep.
2. Refraining from the following
a. Food and Drink
b. Sexual intercourse
c. Masturbation (most scholars say this not allowed even
when not fasting).
However, Ramadan is much more than just not eating, not
drinking, and abstaining from other physical needs, it is also:
d. Refraining of the heart and the mind from evil, thoughts.
e. Refraining of the tongue from evil words.
f. Refraining of other body parts from evil and actions.
9
As result, every part of the body must be restrained. The
tongue must be restrained from gossip, backbiting, insulting
and swearing. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking
at unlawful things. The hand must not do any forbidden
things. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or
obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful
places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is the total commitment of the person's
body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to
practice self-restraint.
The Prophet () said, Whoever does not give up forged
speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his
food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)
Narrated by Bukhr. 3.127

3. Keeping the whole duration of Sawm
Fasting starts everyday in Ramadan from the dim beginning
of dawn: Morning Prayer (Salt al-Fajr) time till sunset:
Sunset Prayer (Salt al-maghrib) time. Muslim must hold
tight to this duration, if not his fast will be invalidated.

10
LESSON 4
The Various Kinds of Fasts
The jurisprudents of various schools classify fasts into four
categories:
1. Prescribed fast (far)
2. Prohibited fast. (arm)
3. Supererogatory fast. (sunnah)
4. Disapproved fast. (makr
1. Prescribed Fast
The prescribed fasts are:
a. Fast of the month of Ramadan.
b. Fast of Qad: make up for the days of Ramadan on
which the fast was invalidated unintentionally.
c. Fast of kaffrah, the expiatory and atonement fasts,
among them are fasts for involuntary homicide, fasts
for atonement of :
1. A broken oath.
2. A vow.
3. Not having observed the prescribed fast of
Ramadan.
2. Prohibited Fasts
a. First of Shawwl (Eid al-Fitr)
b. Tenth of Zulhijjah (Eid al-Adh)
c. Eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth of Zulhijjah.
11

On these days fasting is strictly prohibited. So the fast of
qada cannot be observed on these days.

3. Supererogatory Fasts
Fasting is considered recommended on all the days of the year
except those on which it has been prohibited. But there are
days whose fast has been specifically stressed and they
include:
a. Three days of each month, preferably the "moonlit" days
(al-ayym al-bd), which are the thirteenth, fourteenth and
fifteenth of each lunar month.
b. Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijiah).
c. Several days of the months of Dhu al-Qidah, Dhu al-
Hiiiah. Muharram ,Rajab.
d. Six days of Shawwl.
e. Most of Shabn.
f. Mondays and Thursdays.
g. The day of shr a lone or with a day after it, or with a
day before it.
4. Disapproved Fasts
a. It is disapproved to single out Fridays and Saturdays for
fasting.
b. Fasting on the day ( yawm ash-shak) the day which is
just before the month of Ramadan or the two days just
before Ramadan.
c. Fasting consecutively all days of the year.
d. The three days which follow Eid al-Adh (ayym at-
tashrq).
12
LESSON 5
The Importance of Fasting in
Islm
1. One of five principles of Islam.

Allah's Apostle () said: Islm is based on(the following)
five (principles):

a. To testify that there is no deity (owing the right to be
worshipped) but Allah andthat Muhammad is Allah's
Messenger.
b. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully
and perfectly.
c. To pay Zakh (i.e. obligatory charity).
d. To perform Haij. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
e. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
(Narrated by Bukhr)

Fasting is one of the pillars of the Islamic faith. No proof is
required to establish its being obligatory, and whoever denies
fasting goes out of the fold of Islam.

2. Obligatory duty (far)

Fasting was enjoined on Muslims in the second year of the
Hiirah.
O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm [the fasting] is
prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before
you
(Quran 2: 183)
13
LESSON 6

When Do Muslims Fast?

1. Which month do Muslims observe fasting?
Muslims start fasting in the month of Ramadan which is
the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the
month in which Allah revealed the Holy Quran as
guidance for mankind. Every day during this month,
Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a
complete fast.

2. When does Ramaan start?
Ramadan starts when thirty days of the preceding month,
Shabn, are past or with the seeing of the new moon of
Ramadan. This seeing is established with the testimony of
one trustworthy witness or as some Ulama say, two.

3. The ever lasting debate
There is a debate among the Muslim community on just
how to calculate the beginning of any lunar month, and
Ramadan takes on special importance. The traditional
method used by the Prophet Muhammad (), is to look to
the sky and visibly sight the slight crescent moon (hill)
that marks the beginning of the month. At the end of the
month, when the community sights the hill again,
Ramadan ends and the Festival of Fast-Breaking (Eid al-
Fitr) begins.



14
Debates have arisen around the following questions:

a. What if people in one area sight the moon, but those in
another area don't?
b. Should we follow the moon-sighting in Saudi Arabia, or
should we sight it ourselves?
c. What if our location is overcast and cloudy and the moon
is not visible to us?
d. Why do we even bother looking for the moon, when we
can astronomically calculate when the new moon is born?

Do not bother yourself with these kinds of questions, simply
follow the declaration of His Eminence the Mufti (the official
interpreter or expounder of Islamic law) of your country for
the fact that he is specialist in this topic and he is responsible
in front of Allh ().



15
LESSON 7

Merits of the Month of Ramadan

The Prophet () said: When there comes the month of
Ramadan,
1. The gates of mercy are opened.
2. And the gates of Hell are locked.
3. And the devils are chained.
Narrated by Muslim Bk 6, Number 2361.

4. All previous sins will be forgiven.
The Prophet () said: And whoever fasts in the month of
Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from
Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.
Narrated by Bukhari 3.125

5. Ramadan comprehends the Night of Power which is
better than 1000 months: regarding the rewards of
performing good deeds in it. ( Lesson 19)

6. The Holy Quran revealed in Ramadan: Quran which is
true guidance for mankind should be recited a lot in
Ramadan in order to keep ourselves in the straight path.

7. Umrah with special reward: Umrah preformed in
Ramadan equals, in rewards performing, pilgrimage with
the prophet().

8. Smell of musk: The smell coming out from the mouth of
a fasting person is better, in the sight of Allah, than the
smell of musk.
16
9. Jannah is decorated: In everyday of Ramadan, Allah
decorates the Jannah (Paradise) and addresses it saying,
It is not too far that my righteous servants shall throw
away the burdens (of the worldly life) and shall proceed
towards you.

10. Amnesty: In the last night of this month, the fasting
person is granted amnesty.




17
LESSON 8

Ramadan Checklist

The following are some of the necessary items for a believers

trip in Ramadan towards Allah.

1. An attitude of anticipation and enthusiasm:
Muslim is happy when the Ramadan arrives and sad when
it departs.

2. Well planned schedule:
Ramadan requires more time than usual for worship.
Believers must make sure their daily schedules allow
maximum benefit of this special month.

3. A Quran with an understood translation:
A believer makes sure he has a copy of the Holy Quran
which is easy to read and easy to be understood. If time
permits, he should also read the commentary of the
Quran.

4. A donation to a worthwhile Charity:
Ramadan is the best time to donate in the way of Allah.
Feeding and giving to the needy is an act of great reward.
The Prophet () said: "Whoever gives food to a fasting
person with which to break his fast, will have a reward
equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the
reward of the fasting person." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi,
3/171; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/451).



5. A determination to avoid sins:
Fasting is not just refraining from food, drink and sexual
intercourse as we have heard many times. It is also
refraining from evil thoughts, words, and actions, it is
refraining from all sins.

6. A Desire to help others:
In his sermon at the approach of the holy month of
Ramadan, the Holy Prophet () said: Whoever lightens
the work of his workers in this month, Allah will make
easy his accounting on the Day of Judgment.







LESSON 9
How to Spend Ramadan

1. Praying with jamah
To perform every prayer in congregation (with jamah)
in a mosque.

2. Performing at-Tarwh
Praying Tarw ( early Night Prayer) in congregation. It
consists of eight rakt, which is performed immediately
after the Evening Prayer. ( Lesson 17).

3. Performing at-Tahajjud
Rising up a little earlier than the exact time of and
praying at-Tahajjud Prayer ( late Night Prayer). There is
no prescribed number of the Tahajjud prayer.

4. Performing the voluntary (nafl) prayers of:
a. Ishrq which are two rakt after the sunrise.
b. which are four rakt, it may be performed at
anytime after Ishrq before noon.
c. Awwbn which are six rakt after Sunset Prayer.

5. The recitation of the Holy Quran.
One should recite as much of it as he can. No specific
limit is prescribed, but it is preferred to recite one chapter
( juz) at least every day.

6. Dhikr or 1asbh
Any Dhikr (celebrating Allah's praises) or Tasbih (saying.
'Subhn-Allh. Glory be to Allh) should be constantly
recited. Even when one is not in the state oI wud. the
Dhikr and tasbh may be recited. Similarly, the Dhikr may
20
also be performed during other states, when walking or in
bed.

Prayers and supplications (du)
No particular prayer is prescribed. One can pray for
everything he needs both in this world and in the
Hereafter.

adaqah (charity):
It is not obligatory like Zakh, it is optional, one pay
sadaqah in Ramadan according to his best ability. It was
narrated that Ibn Abbs said: The Messenger of Allah
() was the most generous of people, and he was at his
most generous during Ramadan when Jibrl met him. He
would meet him each night and revise the Quran with
him. The Messenger of Allah () was more generous than
the blowing wind. Narrated by al-Bukhr, 6; Muslim,
2308.




21
LESSON 10
Who Must Fast and Who is
Exempt From Fasting?
Allah has made fasting the month of Ramadan obligatory
upon every:
1. Muslim.
2. Adult.
3. Sane.
4. Settled (i.e., not travelling)
5. Muslim who is able to fast and has nothing such as hayd
(menstruation) or nifs (post-natal bleeding) to prevent
him or her from doing so.
The following are exempt from fasting:
1. The insane.
2. Children who are not adolescent yet. Fasting is not
required of children until they reach the age of puberty.
The signs of puberty are:

a. the growth of pubic hair.
b. the occurrence of wet dreams.
c. the menstrual period ,in the case of a female,.
If a person turns the age of fifteen and none of these signs
have appeared, then they are considered to have reached the
age of puberty.

22
4. The elderly and chronically ill for whom fasting is
unreasonably strenuous; Such persons are required to
feed at least one poor person every day in Ramadan
for which he or she has missed fasting.

5. Pregnant women and nursing may postpone the fasting
at a later time.
6. The ill and the travellers can also defer their fasting.
7. Women during the period of menstruation or of
postchildbirth confinement. Fasting during these
periods is forbidden and should be made up later, a
day for a day.







23
LESSON 11
Things Which Do Not Invalidate
the Fast

Thing which do not break the fast are:
1. If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks, he
should complete his fast. Allh's Apostle () said: If
anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he
should complete his fast, for it is only Allah Who has fed
him and given him drink. Narrated by Muslim.
2. Unintentional vomiting.
3. Swallowing things which are not possible to avoid, such
as one's saliva, street dust, smoke, etc.
4. Brushing the teeth using a miswk or a brush and ears with
cotton swabs.
5. Injection or intra-venous which is solely medical and not
nutritional.
6. Having wet dreams: This happens involuntarily during
sleep.
7. Kissing and hugging is allowed but if such close contact
causes ejaculation then this will break the fast.
Swallowing saliva of some one else invalidates the fast as
well.
8. Using eye-drops or kohl (mascara).
24
9. Wearing perfume or feeling it, using lipstick or chopstick.
10. Taking a shower.
11. Entrance of smoke or dust into the throat unintentionally.
12. Bleeding from the teeth unless blood slips in to the throat.
13. Delaying the ghusl of janbah (showering after sexual
intercourse) up to the sunrise.
14. Applying colour to the hair.
15. Use of Puffers: Puffers used for asthma do not break the
fast according to a number of scholars. This is because it
is considered as compressed gas that goes to the lungs,
and does in no way nourish or quench the thirst.









25
LESSON 12
Things Which Invalidate the Fast
The things which invalidate fast are of two kinds:
A. The first one requires qad (only making up missed days),
B. The other requires qad and kaffrah (expiation) at the
same time.
A. Things that require make up (Qada) only are:

1. Eating or drinking intentionally: This includes non-
nourishing items taken by mouth. For example, while making
wudu, if a drop of water slips into the throat unintentionally

2. Vomiting: Deliberately causing oneself to throw up.

3. The beginning of menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding
even in the last moment before sunset.

4. Seminal emission: Ejaculation while touching, kissing or
caressing a women for reasons other than sexual intercourse.

5. The intention to discontinue the prescribed fast:
Intending to break the fast before sunset even if one changes
his mind, since intention is one of the pre-requisites of the
validity of fasting.

6. Mistaken assumption: Eating, drinking or having
intercourse after dawn on the mistaken assumption that it is
26
not dawn yet. Similarly, engaging in these acts before
Maghrib on the mistaken assumption that it is already sunset.

7. Injection: Injection invalidates the prescribed fast and
requires the fast to be made up.

B. Things that require making up the fast (Qada) and also
expiation (Kaffarah) are:
a. Eating something.
b. Drinking something.
c. Having sexual intercourse.

These three acts are liable to kaffarah when they are
committed deliberately after one has started a fast. Kaffarh
may be given in the following three ways respectively:
a. Freeing a slave.
b. Fasting for two months constantly without a break.
c. Giving food to sixty persons.
Since slavery has come to an end in our days, only the latter
two ways can be adopted today. But the person who has
strength enough to fast for two month constantly has been
bound to fast. He cannot adopt the third way, i.e. giving food
to sixty persons. If he is too weak to fast for such a large
number of days, he can give kaffarah be giving food to sixty
persons.

27
The above mentioned things do not invalidate the fast unless
the fasting person meets the following three conditions:

1. He must be aware of the ruling of what he has done.

2. He must remember (i.e. forgetfulness does not invalidate
the fast)

3. He must do it intentionally.

28
LESSON 13
Acts Rendering the Fast Makrooh
The following acts do not invalidate the fast, but render it
makrooh (disapproved) which means they lessen the reward
of the fast. Therefore it is not advisable to indulge in any of
the following acts when one is in the state of fast:

1. Chewing or tasting something with the tongue without
eating it.

2. Using toothpaste. However, cleaning teeth with a miswak
or a brush without paste is allowed.

3. Remaining in the state of Janabah (major impurity) for the
whole day.

4. Giving blood.

5. Quarrelling and abusing the others.

6. Gossip, backbiting and lying.

The latter three acts are absolutely forbidden even when one is
not observing fast, but they become all more forbidden when
one is on state of fasting.






29
LESSON 14

When Breaking of the Fast is
Obligatory
1. Where a person is attacked by a severe disease and a
competent doctor opines that, if he continues with his fast,
it will bring a serious danger to his life.

2. A person feels such an extreme hunger or thirst that
further abstinence from eating or drinking may endanger
his life.

3. In any situation where refraining from eating or drinking
may cause a real danger to ones life.

In theses cases kaffarah is not liable, but qada is, whenever
the danger is removed.













30

LESSON 15
Why Do Muslims Fast In
Ramadan?
1. To obey Allah's injunction
Fasting has been enjoined on us. Muslims do whatever Allah
and His Messenger have told them to do. Allah says:
O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is
prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you
(Quran 2:183)
2. Fasting for Taqwa
Taqwa in the heart and the soul of a fasting Muslim. The
purpose of fasting is not to just get hungry and thirsty. And to
become pious, Muslim must abstain from immoral behavior
and attitude, and from any thing which is haram (forbidden).
The Prophet () is reported to have said: If one does not
abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for
his abandoning of his food and drink. Narrated by Al-
Bukhari.
3. Special Rewards
The reward for fasting is immense .The Prophet () said: "He
who fasts Ramadan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from
Allah) then his past sins are forgiven." [al-Bukhaaree,
Muslim]
"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward,
each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven
31
hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting,
for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it" bukhari

4. A shield against the Fire
The Prophet () said: "Fasting is a shield with which a
servant protects himself from the Fire." Narrated by Ahmad.
6. Supplications will be granted
The Prophet () said "There are in the month of Ramadan 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." Narrated by Ahmad.
7. Controlling Desires
Fasting is a special worship designed to develop in Muslim
the ability to exercise self-restraint and patience. Its aim is to
give Muslim the power to control his unruly desires and
tendencies that make him prone to greed, revenge, anger,
provocation and fear; which make him commit various sins.
8. Experience of other's feelings
Fasting also provides the rare opportunity to feel real hunger.
Like many other people, and this will make us ready to help
them.
9. To practice the tradition of the pious people.
Qur'an mentions that Musa() fasted for 40 days, and the
Prophet() told us that Dawud () used to fast on every
32
alternate day. 'Issa (Jesus) ()was also reported to have
fasted for 40 days (this is what the Christians termed "the
Lent", usually observed before Easter festival. It can be seen
that Allah()intends to draw Muslims' attention to the
practice and tradition of those pious predecessors who
attained piety through fasting.
O who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed
for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves
10. Entering Paradise
The prophet () said: In Paradise there is a gate which is
called Rayyan through which only the observers of fast would
enter on the Day on Resurrection. None else would enter
along with them. It would be proclaimed: Where are the
observers of fast that they should be admitted into it? and
when the last of them would enter, it would be closed and no
one would enter it. Narrated by Muslim Bk 6, Number 2570









33
LESSON 16
What to do in Ramadan Eve
Tarawih Prayer

A believer should perform Tarawih Prayer in congregation in
Ramadan eve (see lesson 12).
Suhoor (pre-dawn meal)
Muslim should make sure that he eats and drinks something at
suhr, and that he delay it, If possible, until just before al-Fajr
Prayer time. The Prophet () said The distinction between
our fasting and the fasting of the people of the book is the
taking of the pre -dawn meal (Suhoor) (Muslim). The
Prophet () also said: Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is
blessing (barakah). (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 4/139)
The Intention
a. Its ruling: It is obligatory for the fasting person to confirm
his/her intension before Morning Prayer time. The Prophet
() said :"He who does not intend during the night to fast,
then there is no fast for him" (An-Nasa'i

b. The place of intension: is the heart and to utter it verbally
is not established from the Prophet ().

c. Its time: One should make in one's heart intension after
suhoor or before going to sleep.


34
LESSON 17
Tarwh Prayer
Its Definition:
Trwh Prayer is the Night Prayer (Salt Qiym al-Layl)
performed in congregation during the month of Ramadan.
It can be performed alone at home.

Its ruling
This prayer is Sunnah muakkaddah (repeatedly
emphasized). The Prophet () performed Tarw for
several days, but he left performing it in congregation for
the fear it should be prescribed on Muslims .

Its reward:
Messenger of Allah () said: Whoever prays at night in
Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his
previous sins will be forgiven. Bukhari, 37; Muslim, 759

Its time
Between Evening Prayer time and Morning Prayer time, it
is preferred to be before Witr Prayer. Tarw will be
repeated every night till the end of Ramadan

Number of rakat
Eight or eleven rakat. ishah, may Allah be pleased
with her, said: He (s.a.w) would not exceed eleven rakat
in or out of Ramadan Agreed upon. No harm in
exceeding the number of rakat.


35
Way of performing:
Two by two which means making tasleem (Words of
Peace) after every two rakat.
36
LESSON 18

Etiquette of Breaking the Fast

The Prophetic etiquette of breaking fast are the following:

1 One should hasten to break the fast. As soon as the Call of
Sunset Prayer is (Athan Salat al-Maghrib) said one should
start to break the fast immediately. The Prophet () said: My
nation will remain in goodness as long as they break the fast
as soon as it is due. [Muslim]

2. Saying Bismillah and Stating the breaking fast dua:
.'a .,, _... .'.. . .,.
(Allahumma laka sumtu wa `alaa rizqika aftartu)
O Allah! For You have I fasted and upon Your sustenance
have I broken my fast. [Abu Dawud]
...'. ..a .-. ' '- ... .. . ..
(Dhahab az zamaau wab tallatil urooqu wa thabat al-ajru
Insha-Allah)
The thirst has vanished, the veins have been wetted and the
reward is established - Insha-Allah. [Abu Dawud]

3. Ask Allah () anything you want because the invocation
(dua) upon breaking fast is answered.

4. Break the fast by eating three rutabs (moist dates), or tamr
(dry dates), or even drinking water. The Prophet () said:
Break your fast with a date, or with water because it is
pure.[Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]


5. Using the right hand while eating.

6. It is offensive and unhealthy to stuff the stomach with food
after fasting and full stomach will not help you o pray
Trwh. The Prophet (s) said: Enough for a human being to
have luqaymat (from 3 to 9 mouthfuls) that prop up his spine
and, if he must have more [in his stomach], then one third of
food, one third of water, and one third of air.

7. Eating foods (such as garlic and onions)that cause bad
breath, belching and gas is out of respect for the mosques and
those who attend them.

8. Praying Sunset Prayer at mosque, if it is near, or in
congregation at home.

LESSON: 19
Night of Power

"Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power.

And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The
night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein
descends the Angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on
every errand: (they say) Peace" (continuously) till the rise of
Morning!" (Quran 97:1-5)

1. Specialty of the Night of Power
Qur'an, was revealed in Ramadan in Night of Power
(Lailat-ut Qadr)

2. The bless of this night
The deed in this night is better than the rewards of
deeds of 1,000 months (about 83.3 years).

3. Its time
the night is in the last ten days of Ramadan and
usually in one of the odd days (i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27 and
29th).

4. What to do at this night A Muslim is expected to:
a. Perform nawafil: voluntary prayers.
b. Do Quran recitation
c. Say supplications (duas)
d. Attending lectures on religious topics.
e. Do itikaf: Muslims are expected to be in seclusion (itikaf)
during the last 10 days of Ramadan because no one knows
precisely which of the odd days is the night of Power, and the
best place to be in seclusion is in the mosque.

LESSON 20

Retreat (Itikf)

1. Its meaning
a. Literally :to engage and to devote something either
good or bad.

b. Religiously: to engage in a retreat in the mosque
and stay there with the intention of pleasing Allah.
2. Its ruling: Sunnah.
3. Time of retreat
Itikaf has no time limit, either short or long periods of
time are acceptable.
4. The conditions of retreat
The observer of Itikaf must be:
a. Muslim
b. Adult
c. Pure from janbah (major defilment, menstruation,
and post-childbirth bleeding).
5. The elements of itikf
a. Intention
b. Staying in the mosque.
6. What a retreater should engage in
1. Supererogatory worship
2. Prayer.
40
3. Recitation of Quran.
4. Dhikr and tasbh: glorifying and praising Allh
(),seeking forgiveness from Him () and takbr,
invoking Allh's blessing on the Prophet ().
5. Studying religious topics
6. Attending lectures on religious topics held at the
mosque.
7. What is permitted of the retreater
a. He may go out to bid farewell to his family.
b. Leavening the mosque to take care of his essential
things: eating, drinking, going to the toilet, purifying
one's self from janabah, and cleaning his clothes.
c. To eat drink and sleep and to sleep in the mosque.
8. Things that invalidate Itikf
a. Leaving the mosque without any good reason.
b. Menstruation (ay) and postchild bleeding (nifs)
c. Ejaculation.

41
LESSON 21
Special Prayers
in Ramadan

1. When beginning the fast- Suhur:
.', .. .',.. ',. '. ...,

(Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan)
I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of
Ramadan
[abu Dawud]
2. When breaking the fast- Iftar:
.'.. .. .'.. . _ .,. .., .'.... . .'a .,, _...
(Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa 'alayka
tawakkaltu] wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu)

O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my
trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance
["wa 'alayka tawakkaltu" is quoted in some books of
knowledge - but not all, hence it is in brackets]
[abu Dawud]
1 . ... ...'. ..a .-. '- .. . .. '

42
(dhahabadh-dhama'u wab-tallatil 'urqi, wa thabatal arju
insha Allah)

The thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is
confirmed, if Allah [Ta'ala] Wills
[abu Dawud 2:306]
2 . ...'- ... _ .,. '_. . '.... _ _ .. '

Allaahumma inni asaluka birahmatika al-lati wasi'at kulli
shayin an taghfira li

O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things,
that You forgive me.
[a du'a that Abdullah ibn Amar (radiAllahu anhu) used to say
when breaking his fast - as reported by Ibn abi Mulaykah
(radiAllahu anhu)]
3. When someone offers you food when you are
fasting and you decline:
When you are invited to eat, then reply to the invitation. if
you are fasting, then invoke Allah's blessings (on your host),
and if you are not fasting then eat
[Muslim; 2:1054]
4. Upon reaching month of Rajab and Sha'ban:
When the Prophet () sighted the moon of Rajab (two months
before Ramadan) he used to pray to Allah in the following
words:
43
3 .. . ..'.. . .-, _ .. .,. .,. .., .. .

(Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa ballighna
Ramadan)

O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for
us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our
life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and
blessings)
[Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]

5. When you are fasting, and someone is rude to
you:
4 '_ . ... '_ ...
(Inni sa'iimu, inni sa'iimu)

I am fasting, I am fasting
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Fath al-Bari of Al-Asqalani; 4:1-3,
Muslim; 2:806]
6. Upon Sighting of the new Moon
5 ... '.. ..'... .- .,. . . . .- .. ..',.. ....'.. ..... . ..,
_.'. . . .,. ..,
(Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu 'alayna bil-amni wal-
imaani, was-salaamati, wal-Islami, wat-tawfeeqi lima tuhibbu
Rabbana wa tardha. Rabbuna wa RabbukAllahu)
44

Allah is the Greatest. O Allah bring us the new moon with
security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony
with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord
and your Lord is Allah
[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]
7. Upon seeing the first dates of the season:
6 . .. _ .. .,. .,. . ...... _ .. .,. .. .,.. . ..... _ .. .,. . _ ...
(Allahumma barik lana fi thamarina, wa barik lana fi
madinatina, wa barik lana fi saa'ina, wa barik lana fi muddina)

O Allah! Bless us in our dates, and bless us in our town, bless
us in our saa' and in our Mudd'
(saa' and Mudd' are dry measures used for agricultural
produce by the Arabs in the Prophet's time)
[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]
8. Recited at intervals of taraweeh prayers:
. . .-'.... .',..e.. . .... . .,.... . ...'., .. ...a. . ..... . .-'.... . ...'.e.
... '. _- ... .-'.. ..'.- . . -. . e... ., .'.. . -,.. ..,. . ..
. .,. . .- ...'. . . ...'. . ,.. .
Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal
aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa'i wal jabaroot
Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa la yamtu,
Subbuhun, Quddusun, Rabbul malaa'ikati war-rooh
La ilaha illal lahu, nustugfirullahi
45
nas 'alukul jannati, wa na udhubika min an-naar

Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the
heavens; Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and
Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and
Omnipotence
Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who does neither sleep
nor die
O all Glorious, All Holy one, Our lord and the Lord of the
Angels, And the soul.
There is no God but You, Forgive us, Grant us Paradise, and
save us from (hell) fire.
9. Upon breaking the fast in someone's home
7 . .... . .,...... .....'.. ...a .e'...... '...... . .,...' .e.......
ev.
(Aftara 'indakumus saa'imuna, wa akala ta'aamakumul-
abraaru, wasallat 'alaikumul mala'ikat)

May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and
may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels
send prayers upon you.
[abu Dawud 3:367, ibn Majah 1:556, an Nasa'i]

10. On Lailatul Qadr - the Night of Power

Aishah (radhiya Allahu Ta'ala anha), that she said: "O
Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-
Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said 'Say
46
8 _.. .'.. ,.. .- . ,.. . .,.
(Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni')

O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to
pardon, so pardon me.
[at Tirmidhi]
47
LESSON 22
Zakt al-Fitr

1. Meaning: Zakaah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-
Fitr. The word Fitr means breaking a fast and it comes from
the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Thus,
Islamically, Zakaah al-Fitr means fast-breaking or fast-
ending alms which is paid at the end of Ramadan.

2. Ruling: Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is obligatiry on
every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long
as he/she has the means to do so.
The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be
found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the
Prophet () made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave,
freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims;
one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [collected by
Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]

The head of the household may pay the required amount for
the other members. Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf
of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out
during Allah's Messenger's () lifetime one Saa` of grain,
cheese or raisins". [collected by Muslim - English transl. vol.
2, p. 469, no. 2155]

3.Purpose: The main purpose of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide
those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors
during the month of fasting. Zakaah al-Fitr also provides the
poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival
of breaking the fast (`Eed al-Fitr) along with the rest of the
Muslims.

48
Ibn Abbaas reported, "The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who
fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk
(committed during Ramadaan) and so that the poor may be
fed. Whoever gives it before Salaah will have it accepted as
Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah has given
Sadaqah." [collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p.
421, no. 1605 - rated Saheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee]

4. Time: This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset
on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the
beginning of Salaah al-'Eed' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the
following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above
mentioned period, as many of Companions of the Prophet()
used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eed. If
one misses the time period without a good reason, he has
sinned and can not make it up


5. Rate: The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone
regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum
amount is one S` (two kilos and forty grams of good wheat )
of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family.

Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree () said, "In the Prophet's time, we
used to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates,
barley, raisins or dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree -
Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]

49
LESSON 23
The Night of Eid
It had been the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (), that
he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid al-
Fitr, the end of Ramadan. This night has been named in a
tradition as the 'Night of Reward'; Almighty bestows His
rewards on those who have spent the month of Ramadan
abiding by the dictates of Islamic law, and all their prayers
and invocation in this night are accepted. Therefore, it is
desirable to perform voluntary prayers in this night. the
Prophet () said: 'Whoever stands up - in worship - in the
nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his
Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die.'
To benefit from this opportunity, one should perform as much
worship in this night as one can, and should pray for all one's
needs and desires.
The Prophet () said: 'On the last night of Ramadan, my
nation is forgiven'. He was asked if that meant on Laylatul-
Qadr and he said, 'No'. (This merit is for the last night, the
merits of Laylatul-Qadr are quite apart.) 'The truth is that full
wages are paid to the worker when the work is over and the
work is completed in the last night. Hence, they are forgiven.'
9. Takbrat-ul-Eid:

Allahu-akbar-u'llahu-akbar-u'llaahu-akbar ... laa-ilaha
ill'Allah
Allahu-akbar-u'llahu-akbar-u wa-lillah'il-hamd
Allahu-akbar-u'llahu-akbar-u'llaahu-akbar ... laa-ilaha
ill'Allah
50
Allahu-akbar-u'llahu-akbar-u wa-lillah'il-hamd
Allahu akbar-u-kabira ... wal-hamdu-lillahi kathira
wa-subhan'Allahi wa-be-hamdi-hi bukra-tan wa-asila
laa-ilaha-ill'alla-hu wahdah ... sadaqa wa-adah ... wa-nasara
abdah
wa-a-azza junda-hu wa-hazam'al-ahzaab wahdah
laa-ilaha ill'Allah ... wa-la na-a-budu illaa iyyah
mukh-le-scina lah'uddina walaw karih'al-kaafiroon
Allah-umma-salli-ala sayyedinaa muhammad ... wa-ala aali
sayyedinaa muhammad
wa-ala as'habi sayyedinaa muhammad ... wa-ala an'sari
sayyedinaa muhammad
wa-ala azwaji sayyedinaa muhammad
wa-ala-zurriyati-sayyedina muhammad-in wa-sallim tasliman
kathira
Translation Of Takbeer-Ul-Eid:

Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great, There is no
Deity but Allah
Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and praise is due to Him.
Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great, There is no
Deity but Allah
Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and praise is due to Him.
Allah is the Greatest, and an abundance of praise is due to
Him, and glory and praise be to him morning and evening.
There is no Deity but Allah, Alone, He was True to His
promise, and He granted victory to His Worshipper, and He
supported His troops, and He conquered the allied parties of
the enemies all by Himself.
There is no Deity but Allah, and we worship no one but Him,
and we will sincerely follow the religion for Him, even
against the wishes of the disbelievers.
May Allah pray upon Sayyidina (our master) Mohammad, and
upon his Family, and upon his Companions, and upon his
51
Supporters, and upon his Wives, and upon his Descendants,
and grant an abundance of peace on him.
52
LESSON 24

The Prayer of Fast-Breaking Feast
(d al-Fitr)

1. The Eid prayer is wajib (obligatory) on every male Muslim.

2. The Eid prayer can be performed any time between the
Ishraq (sun rise) and Zawal(when the sun reaches its zenith).
3. It is preferable that the 'Eid prayer is performed at an open
field and not in a mosque. However, if, it is difficult for any
reason to perform it in an open field, it can also be performed
in a big mosque.
4. It is not advisable to hold the Eid Prayer in every mosque,
rather it is preferable that the people from several small
mosques get together to either perform it in an open field or,
in its absence, in a big mosque which can accommodate a
large number of people.
5. No voluntary prayer can be performed before the 'Eid
prayer, neither in one's home, nor at the place of' Eid prayer.
Similarly, voluntary prayer cannot be performed after the Eid
prayer at the same place. However, it can be performed after
one comes back to his home.
6. The Eid prayer has neither Adhan (Call to Prayer) nor
Iqamah (Second Call).

On the day of Eid al-Fitr Muslim is supposed to do the
following Sunan (traditions of the Prophet ()):
1. To adorn oneself as permitted by Shari'ah.
2. To bathe perform the total ablution (ightis".
3. To clean the teeth with Miswaak.
4. To wear the best and the cleanest cloths.
5. To put in sweet smelling perfumes.
53
6. To wake up early in the morning.
7. To eat a few dates in odd numbers.
8. To betake to the Eid prayers gathering with tranquility and
dignified bearing very early.
9. To give Zakat al-Fitr before going to Eid prayers gathering.
10. To perfom Eid prayer in congregation.
11. To go to Eid prayer from a way and to come back from
another way.
12. To go walking instead of riding.
13. To recite slowly on the way to the Eid prayer and on the
way back: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu
Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd."


Whilst at the Eid gathering Muslim should do the following:
1. Be quiet while the Imam is explaining how to perfom Eid
Prayer.
2. Straighten lines in prayer.
3. Keeping silence during the sermon (khutbah).
4. Greet those whom you know and those you don't, after the
Eid Prayer
5. Contribute to the arrangement of the Eid prayers.




54
GLOSSARY

1
Eid Al-Fitr

=-'' --= Three day festival marking the end of
Ramadan. It takes place on the 1st of
Shawal, the 10th month of the Islamic
calendar.
2
Fidya -- Compensation for missing or wrongly
practicing necessary acts of worship
Fidya usually takes the form of
donating money, foodstuffs, or
sacrificing an animal. Contrast with
Kaffara (making amends).
3
Iftar '=' Breaking of the fast immediately after
sunset. Iftar takes place at Maghrib as
soon as the Call to Prayer (Adhan) is
called.
4
Imsak

='--' Start of the fasting time. Imsak begins
when the first light of dawn becomes
visible, and ends at Fajr when the
Adhan is called.
5
I'tikaf -'-=' I'tikaf refers to the religious practice
of spending the a period of time in a
mosque so as to devote oneself
exclusively to worship.
6
Kaffarah -'- Kaffarah means atonement, expiation.
7
Lailatul-
Qadr
--'' '-' 'The Night of Power,' concealed in
one of the odd nights in the last ten
days of Ramadan; the night on which
the Qur'an was first revealed.
8
Ramadan

.'-- The ninth month of the Islamic
(luner) calendar.