Islam is the second largest religion of the world. It stands upon five pillars which include Prayer (Salah), Fasting is one of the pillar of Islam. It is the reason due to which Roza is regarded as significant as other obligations in Islam.
What is Sawm (Fasting) in Islam?
Sawm is the Arabic term known for fasting. This term is also mentioned in the Holy Quran. The word literally means to abstain or refrain. According to Islam you are bound to refrain from all those things that are forbidden during fasting from the break of dawn to the sunset. The only thing that you need to make sure of is that you need to do this with the intention of fasting.
Fasting: An Obligatory Act
As stated above Fasting is one major pillar of Islam thus it is obligatory for each and every Muslim is bound to fast during the month of Ramadan.
Rules of Fasting
There are certain rules of fasting that need to be followed in order to fast in Islamic way.
- It is extremely important to know who must fast as there is a bit relaxation for old, travellers and young kids.
- Islam also provides relaxation for sick people. If you are temporarily sick then the person could fast later after Ramadan to complete the missed days.
- While those who are indulged in an incurable illness then they are supposed to pay fidyah, which is giving a day’s meals for each fast missed to a needy person.
- Islam is a bit lenient on travellers as well. According to the rules of fasting if you are minimum of 48 miles or 80 kilometres away from your city of residence you can miss fasting. But you need to make sure that the journey you have made is for a good cause. The traveller is bound to make up those missed days later as soon as possible after Ramadan.
Steps of Fasting:
- The first and the foremost task is to perform Suhoor which is a pre-dawn meal. It is a Sunnah and there is a great reward for this act.
- The second most important task is to perform breakfast immediately after sunset. According to Shariah sunset is a time when the disk of the sun goes below the horizon and disappears completely.
Guidelines for Fasting During Ramadan:
- It is extremely important to refrain from certain kinds of things because fasting is ritual that will make you learn patience.
- Thus it is important that you abstain from all false talks and deeds or quarrel.
- Try not to indulge in arguments, use bad words, or do anything that is forbidden in Islam. It will provide you the chance to discipline yourself morally and ethically.
- Moreover fasting is the best way to gain physical training and discipline.
- The last but certainly not the least task is to perform acts of charity and goodness.
- Furthermore you also need to increase your worship by excessive praying and dedicate some time for recitation of Quran. There are extra rewards for the ones who recite Quran in this month. Thus it is recommended to recite whole Quran by the 27th of Ramadan.
Things That Invalidate the Fast
Following are the acts that invalidate your fast.
- Eating, drinking or smoking will invalidate your fast.
- Vomiting will also invalidate your fast.
- Menstrual or post-childbirth bleeding will overturn your fast.
- You need to refrain from Sexual intercourse during fasting.
Things That Do Not Invalidate Fasting
During fast, the following things are permissible:
- You can take shower or bath but make sure you do not drink water during bath. Swimming is also allowed but you should avoid diving because to avoid water going into your mouth.
- Avoid using perfumes, wearing contact lenses or using eye drops.
- Injections or blood test do not invalidate fasts.
- Kissing between husband and wife allowed but it is preferable to avoid it because it may lead to something that is forbidden.
Prayer Mats for Performing Salah
Requirements for Fasting to Be Valid:
Fasting is dependent upon two main components.
- The first and the most important component is niyah for fasting. It is important to sincere intention to fast for the sake of God every day before dawn.
- The second most important act is to abstain from dawn to dusk from everything that invalidates fasting as mentioned above.
Opening and closing dua for fasting in Ramadan:
