Rule of muslim fasting

Fasting is simple. There are only a few rules and regulations to practice: 

First Rule 

The person must intend to fast before the start time for the Morning Prayer. Intention is in the heart and so one should not say anything in particular. The Messenger said, "He who does not resolve to fast before it is Fajr (Morning Prayer), then there is no fast for him." 

Second Rule 

If a person eats or drinks out of mistake and did not know it is Ramadan, then he should stop eating or drinking anymore and complete his fast for the rest of the day. Some scholars disagree with this and say that fasting later after Ramadan should make up this particular day. It seems the best opinion is that there is no need to make it up, but we must not argue about this. 

Another point is that many people think brushing one's teeth, washing the nose or mouth, giving blood or taking an injection, which does not provide nourishment, using the inhaler for those who suffer from asthma, pouring water on the head or taking a bath may break or affect the fast. This is not true. As long as food or water does not enter the throat then it is OK. A person who is a traveller, ill, very old, pregnant or breast-feeding does not have to fast but can make up the days later. A woman in her menstruation must not fast but make up the days later. 

Third Rule 

All eating and drinking must stop immediately at start of Morning Prayer time. The Quran and the Sunnah clearly teaches how to tell when to stop eating. As soon as the reddish whiteness spread sideways in the horizon then it is the true start of Fajr time. It is not when you can see the very first sign of whiteness in the horizon that rises upwards. 
But remember though, if you are in the process of drinking and the call to prayer is given, then finish drinking before putting it down! 

In this age a lot of people rely upon timetables and astronomy. These can be used to help make things easier but not to replace the way taught in the revelation. The method in the revelation is natural and easier because it directs us to use our eyes and look. If we are mistaken then there is no problem. Also, this method frees us from becoming strict with precise timings leading to quarrelling with one another. If you cannot get a time table or it is difficult to find out by looking at the sky for any reason, then a suitable way is to find out from a newspaper the Greenwich sunrise time and then work out something suitable. The start time for fasting could be an hour to an hour and a half earlier than the sunrise time for the day. 

Fourth Rule 

The person must break his fast directly after sunset. He should not delay it as some people do just to make sure the sun has really gone down. As soon as the disc of the sun disappears then fasting should be broken. It is possible that at that time it is still quite bright outside, but this does not matter at all. 

What is the best way to break the fast? 
Well, it is reported that the Messenger used to break the fast with fresh dates before praying, if not with fresh dates then with older dates, and if not with older dates then with some mouthfuls of water. 

What do we say when we break the fast? 
The best supplication (du'a) that is reported from the Messenger that he used to say when breaking the fast is: Thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain, if Allah wills. (Dhahabadh dhama'u wabtaallatil 'urooqu wa thabatal ajru inshaa Allah) It is very good to feed others so that they break the fast with your food. The Messenger said that for every person whom we help in breaking the fast by feeding them, it would be like as if we did their fasts too. 

Fifth Rule 

The person should try his best to take a meal before starting to fast. This meal is called suhoor. The Messenger spoke of its blessings and how it is a true characteristic of fasting in Islam. In one of the sayings of the Messenger he said,"The suhoor is a meal of blessings, so do not leave it, even if one of you just take a (gulp) of water, since Allah sends mercy and His Angels seek forgiveness for those who take the suhoor." 
It is better to delay the suhoor until just before the Fajr prayer according to the way of the Messenger. The ideal way is to finish eating before the Fajr prayer so that there is time to read up to 50 verses from the Quran. 

Sixth Rule 

It is very important to behave well when fasting. One should try his utmost not to lie, argue, or use bad language. Here are two sayings of the Messenger: 

1. Whoever does not give up falsehood in word and action then Allah the Mighty the Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and his drink. 
2. Fasting is not (merely giving up) from eating and drinking, rather it is (keeping away) from ignorant and indecent talk. So if anyone abuses or behaves ignorantly with you, then say, "I am fasting, I am fasting." 

Seventh Rule 

The following things definitely cancels the fast: 
1. Eating and drinking deliberately 
2. Vomiting intentionally 
3. Menstruation 
4. Injections containing nourishment 
5. Sexual intercourse or deliberate ejaculation 


Wallahualam.