MUSTAHAB (DESIRABLE) ACTS IN FASTING

Sawm (Fasting)

By Shaykh Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint (Holy Qur'aan 2 : 183)

Sawm (fasting) means to refrain from eating, drinking and cohabiting from subha sadiq (early dawn) to sunset with a niyyah (intention) of observing fast. Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan is one of the five pillars of Islaam and is fardh (compulsory) upon every muslim who is sane and mature. Fasting has many physical, moral, and social benefits. However, Allah has made fasting compulsory so that we become pious and God-fearing. Fasting will not be valid without niyyah. It is not necessary to express the niyyah in words. However it is preferable to recite Allahumma asoomu laka ghadan (O Allah tomorrow I shall be fasting for you only). In the case of Ramadhaan, it is better to make niyyah in the night. However, should a person fail to do so, then it is permitted to make the niyyah before the majority of the day has passed.

MUSTAHAB (DESIRABLE) ACTS IN FASTING

1. To eat sehri (the meal before subha sadiq).

2. To delay the sehri up to a little before subha sadiq (early dawn).

3. To break the fast immediately after sunset.

4. To break the fast with dates. If dates are not available then with water.

5. To recite this du'a at the time of breaking the fast :
Allahumma laka sumtu wa alaa rizqika aftartu"O Allah! For You have I fasted and upon Your sustenance have I broken my fast."