Introduction

Sawm (fasting) is the fourth pillar of Islam. It is a true act of devotion, to give up food and water during the daylight hours, purely for the sake of Allah SWT. It develops self control, an appreciation of our blessings and increased awareness of the plight of the hungry.

Fasting increases our connection with Allah SWT. The rewards for fasting are immense and known only to Him.

Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied, a single deed as ten times the like of it up to seven hundred times. Allah Almighty said, “Except for fasting, as it is for Me and I will reward it. He leaves his desires and his food for My sake.” [Muslim]

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, fasting is obligatory for every adult Muslim during this blessed month. Allah SWT rains down His blessings upon us. Our good deeds are rewarded many times over. All the gates of Jannah are open, the gates of Jahannam are closed and the shaytans are chained during this month [Muslim].

The first (ten days) of the month of Ramadan is mercy, the middle (ten days) is forgiveness, and the last (ten days) is salvation from the fire [Bukhari]

Taqwa

Fasting was prescribed for many nations prior to Islam, its purpose being to increase taqwa, God consciousness. When fasting, we give up food and water putting our bodies and minds through a test of resolve, for the sake of Allah SWT. Our awareness of the hardships faced by those afflicted with hunger and starvation increases. We recognise all our provisions are from Allah SWT and are more thankful to Him. We appreciate all the blessings He has provided for us in our lives.

During Ramadan, Muslims not only abstain from eating and drinking, but refrain from other sins and strive to perform more good deeds and acts of worship. These include, reading, learning and understanding the Quran, increasing ones zikr, praying additional nafl and Tahajjud salah, increasing prayer in the masjid and giving more to charity.

We become more conscious of our behaviours and speech, aiming to avoid any actions that are displeasing to Allah SWT. Unity between families and communities is increased, due to breaking fast together and attending night time congregational prayers.

Ramadan thus gives us the opportunity to improve our connection with Allah SWT and with our families and communities. It is a highly spiritual month for many Muslims who look forward to its many blessings, in particular drawing closer to Allah SWT.

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you – as it was for those before you – so perhaps you will become mindful {of Allah} [2:183]

The Quran

Ramadan is best known for its association with fasting. However, this was the month that the first ayats of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the angel Jibril AS on Laylatul Qadr, The Night of Power.

Ramadan gives Muslims the opportunity to reconnect with the Quran and through that, to reconnect with Allah SWT. Many Muslims read the Quran in its entirety during the month, either individually or through hearing its recitation in congregational prayer.

Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard {to distinguish right and wrong}. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, {let them fast} an equal number of days {after Ramadan}. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you may be grateful [2:185].

Laylatul Qadr

Indeed, We sent this Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what will make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend by the permission of their Lord for every {decreed} matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn [97:1-5]

The Night of Power is the most blessed night in the Islamic calendar. Also known as the Night of Decree, it is the night when the Decree of Allah SWT comes down for all His creation. The destiny of every living creature for the coming year is decided and brought down to earth with thousands of angels.

All scriptures were sent down to Prophets during Ramadan. The link between the Night of Decree and the revelation of the Quran is clear. The Quran is a guidance for mankind. It contains all we need to ensure success in the Akhira and thus its message is key to our destiny.

By the clear Book! Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night, for We always warn {against evil}. On that night every matter of wisdom is ordained by a command from Us, for we have always sent {messengers} as a mercy from your Lord. He alone is truly the All Hearing, All Knowing [44:2-6]

To stand in prayer through the night is equivalent to 83 year’s worth of worship. Every good deed performed on this night gets this same level of reward. There are so many blessings to be gained by performing nafl, zikr, reading Quran and giving to charity on this night. One must do all they can to worship Allah SWT for at least part of the night, ideally the whole night.

Laylatul Qadr falls in one of the odd nights within the last 10 days of Ramadan. Whilst it is thought it falls on the night of the 27th, one should strive to pray as much as they can for the last 10 nights and certainly the odd nights. Men can spend the last 10 nights in prayer, zikr and reflection within the masjid (Itikaaf), which is an act of Sunnah.

Eid al Fitr

This falls on the day after the end of Ramadan and is one of the two Eid celebrations within Islam. After a month of sacrifice, struggle and devotion to Allah SWT, this is a day for celebration and festivity, spent with friends and family. It is obligatory for men to read Eid salah at the masjid, anytime after Fajr salah until mid morning.

Etiquette and Benefits of Fasting

• Have an early morning meal (suhoor) which is Sunnah and carries with it blessings. Even a few sips of water is sufficient. The angels pray for the fasting person even before the fast has begun.
• The fast commences from just before Fajr salah (before sunrise) to Maghrib salah (sunset).
• It is not permitted to eat, drink or smoke during these hours or engage in sexual relations.
• It is disliked to be argumentative or use bad speech.
• The angels pray for you if you are around other people who are eating, until they have had their fill.
• All good deeds are increased in reward during Ramadan.
• Making dua just before breaking fast is very blessed time to do so as the dua of a fasting person is never rejected [Tirmidhi]. One should take a few moments to make dua before the time to break fast arrives.
• Fasting engenders self discipline and control. It symbolises a detachment from our worldly needs and draws us closer to Allah SWT.
• Fasting is a way to atone for and expiate sins.
• Health benefits of fasting include a reduction in blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar and obesity. It leads to a healthier gut, immune system and also has psychological benefits.

Voluntary Fasts

There are many additional voluntary or sunnah fasts that were performed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Aside from the spiritual and health benefits, they also have great rewards associated with them.

• Monday and Thursday. The deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday. Thus, I love for my deeds to be presented while I am fasting [Tirmidhi].
• During the 13th-15th days of each lunar month (days of the full moon). Rewarded as if fasting for a year (each good deed is rewarded tenfold), only if the obligatory Ramadan fasts are observed.
• Fasting on the Day of Arafat is rewarded with forgiveness of sins for the past year and the coming year
• Fasting on the Day of Ashura is rewarded with forgiveness of sins for the past year.
• During the first 9 days of Dhull Hijjah (Hajj season). There are no days in which deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days [Bukhari]. The tenth day is Eid al Adha and fasting is prohibited.
• During 6 days of Shawwal. Combined with the Ramadan fasts, fasting on 6 days in Shawwal will be rewarded as if having fasted all year (each good deed is rewarded tenfold). One can fast on any 6 days, they do not need to be consecutive.
• Fasting in the months of Muharram and Shaban.
• Fasting alternate days. The example of Prophet Dawud AS [Bukhari].