A typical day of a fasting person in Ramadhan
1. Intention. The night before you go to sleep, if forgotten then before Fajr
starts and fasting day begins, make intention in the heart and mind (not
verbally, no authentic proofs) that you will observe siyam the following day.
General intention all Muslims to fast Ramadhan has been made, but intention for
day-to-day fasting, has to be made separately, each night before.
2. Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). Wake up just before Fajr starts to eat Sehri.
Anything healthy should be eaten. Even if it is just a gulp of water or dates.
Sehri is a blessing, it also gives energy for the day and Muslims should observe
it so as to differ from the People of the Book, who don’t take Sehri when they
fast.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Have suhoor, for
in suhoor there is blessing (barakah).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 4/139).
“Suhoor is blessed food, and it involves being different from the people of the
Book. What a good suhoor for the believer is dates.” (Reported by Abu Dawood,
no. 2345; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/448).
Delay it as much as possible.10/15 minutes before Fajr starts or depending on
individuals, the amount of time they take in finishing eating.
3. Pray. Pray all Fardh Salah in the Masjid or Musallah if it is near by. If
not, pray in Jama’at at home with your family. The least, on your own. Also pray
all the Sunnah before and after the fardh, plus the Teraweeh.
No good if a person fasts, yet does not pray the Fardh salah. Fasting will not
be accepted by Allaah.
4. Learn about the virtues, rules and regulations of Siyam, as it is from
amongst the obligatory knowledge that we need to learn.
5. Recite the Qur’aan and try to understand its meanings, memorise it and live
and judge by it.
6. Zikr. While walking, standing, sitting. This can be done even at work. Make
zikr with you tounge and mind, those related from the Qur’aan and the authentic
Ahadeeth. Make dua of waking up, wearing clothes, entering toilet, travelling
etc. and after every Fardh Salat.
7. Give charity, even if it is small (small, but continous is one of the best
good deeds). All good deeds are multiplied more than other months. So give your
Zakah, Sadakah and Zakatul Fitr.
8. Provide Iftar for others if you can or donate for Iftar to other poor
countries. You will get their reward of fasting without theirs being reduced.
9. Make Du’a just before breaking the Siyam at Iftar time. One of the times Dua
are most likely to be answered by Allaah is while fasting and especially at
breaking of the fast. Make Du’a for yourself, your family, relatives, for the
Muslim Ummah and for the guidance of non-Muslims and humiliation for the
oppressors.
10. Haste in breaking the siyam, as soon as the day ends. Recite the Dua for
Iftar; zahabaz zamau wab tallatil uruq wa sabatal ajru insha’Allaah. (Thirst is
gone, veins are flowing again, and the reward is certain, in sha Allaah).”
(Reported by Abu Dawood, 2/765; its isnaad was classed as hasan by
al-Daaraqutni, 2/185).
Break siyam with dates and water.
Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if
fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates; if dried dates were
not available, he would have a few sips of water.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi,
3/79 and others. He said it is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth. Classed as saheeh in
al-Irwa’, no. 922).
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The people will be
fine so long as they do not delay iftaar.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath,
4/198).
11. Haste in praying Maghrib Salat. Rasool sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said the
Muslim Ummah will remain upon goodness so long as we hasten to break our fast
and hasten to pray Maghjrib. Break siyam with dates and water. Allow two Rakat
to be prayed between Azan and ikamah -5 minutes – and pray Maghrib. Then one can
sit and eat a moderate meal.
If your local Masjid does delay their Maghrib by 10/15/20 minutes or more
because of eating, still pray in the Masjid. Give the masjid authority advice
and Allaah will hold the Imam and the management accountable and know that the
Imam and management are holding back the goodness, honour, victory for the
Ummah.
12. Go for Esha and Teraweeh. Try to pray in a Masjid that prays eight Rakah
Teraweeh and prays three Rakah Witr different from Maghrib Fardh. If one prays
more or less than eight Rakah, it is permissible, but the Sunnah is eight and
more rewarding, plus it shows our love for the Sunnah.
This is the Sunnah.
DO NOT;
Waste time
Being idle –doing nothing
Backbite, slander, gossip
Listen to music
Watch films or anything non beneficial
Cook too much and extravagantly
Sleep too much
May Allah give us all the ability to observe Siyam properly – for His sake and
according to the Sunnah. May Allaah make us benefit from it, attain Taqwah,
increased Eemaan, knowledge and action. And remain steadfast upon obedience in
Ramadhan and outside of it, until death. Aameen.
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