About Ramadan Fasting

Ramadan Fasting

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar — the blessed month in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet ﷺ. Fasting throughout Ramadan is one of the **Five Pillars of Islam** and is obligatory (fard) for every sane, adult Muslim who is physically able.

It is the greatest month of the year for worship, with rewards multiplied, gates of Paradise opened, gates of Hell closed, and devils chained. It is a complete transformation of daily life in devotion to Allah.

Significance & benefits

The Command of Allah

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you — that you may become righteous" (Qur'an 2:183).

A Pillar of Islam

"Islam is built upon five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving zakah, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj" (Sahih Bukhari 8, Muslim 16).

Forgiveness of All Past Sins

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari 38, Muslim 760). This is the greatest opportunity for a complete spiritual reset.

Supernatural Changes in Ramadan

The Prophet ﷺ said: "When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained" (Bukhari 1899, Muslim 1079). This facilitates good deeds and weakens the pull of evil.

Laylat al-Qadr

"Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months" (Qur'an 97:1-3). The Prophet ﷺ would increase his worship in the last ten nights, specifically seeking Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights (Bukhari 2017).

The Gate of Rayyan

The Prophet ﷺ said: "In Paradise there is a gate called Rayyan, through which those who fasted will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one else will enter through it" (Bukhari 1896, Muslim 1152).

Sadaqah and Quran

The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of all people, and was most generous in Ramadan. Jibreel would meet him every night of Ramadan and they would study the Quran together (Bukhari 3554). Charity and Quran recitation in Ramadan carry multiplied rewards.

How to perform / practice

Each Day of Ramadan

  1. Suhoor (pre-dawn meal): Eat before Fajr — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is barakah (blessing)" (Bukhari 1923, Muslim 1095).
  2. Intention: Intention for the fast is made each night before Fajr.
  3. Abstain from food, drink (including water), and marital intimacy from the time of Fajr until Maghrib.
  4. Iftar at Maghrib: Break fast immediately at Maghrib — preferably with fresh dates, then water, following the Sunnah. Do not delay Maghrib for iftar.

Etiquette While Fasting

"Fasting is a shield — so whoever is fasting should neither engage in obscene talk nor raise his voice in anger; and if someone insults him or tries to fight him, he should say: 'I am fasting'" (Bukhari 1904, Muslim 1151).

Special Acts in Ramadan

  • Tarawih: Pray Tarawih (night prayer) in congregation — whoever prays with the imam until he finishes will have the reward of a full night's prayer (Tirmidhi 806, IslamQA 232790).
  • I'tikaf: Perform seclusion in the mosque in the last ten nights — a strong Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ (Bukhari 2026).
  • Laylat al-Qadr: Seek it in the last ten nights, especially on odd nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th). Pray, recite Quran, and make du'a abundantly.
  • Du'a at Iftar: "The fasting person's du'a at the time of breaking fast is not rejected" (Ibn Majah 1753).

After Ramadan

  • Make up missed days (qada) promptly after Eid.
  • Follow with six days of Shawwāl to complete the "lifetime of fasting" reward.
  • Do not return to sins — Ramadan should produce lasting change in character and worship.

References