Method of Fasting(Saum)

Question 1

What does the Quran say about fasting and is it obligatory?

Answer 1

• Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslim adults, male and female.
• “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint”

Question 2

What are the hours like for fasting?

Answer 2

The hours of fasting are from first light (before dawn) until sunset

Question 3

What is sehri?

Answer 3

Sehri is the meal that is desirable to have til dawn before proceeding with the fast

Question 4

What should Muslims do before fasting?

Answer 4

• Muslims should make an intention for the fast i.e. “I intend to keep tomorrow’s fast of Ramadan”

Question 5

What is restricted for a person who is fasting til sunset? What is this known as?

Answer 5

• Muslims must abstain from food, drink, etc. during daylight hours.
• They should also refrain from smoking, martial relations, medicines, etc. This is known as Imsak.

Question 6

Why should Muslims be particularly pious and visit mosques regularly? What did the prophet say about this?

Answer 6

• The prophet PBUH said: “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”

Question 7

When do Muslims break their fast, what do they recite and what is called?

Answer 7

• Muslims break their fast with a meal at sunset in the evening reciting the prayer:
• “O Allah! I fasted for you and I believe in you and I put my trust in you and with the sustenance you have given me, I now break the fast.”
• Known as Iftar.

Question 8

What is the ‘Night of Power’?

Answer 8

• On the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) they should attend mosques and spend the night in prayer.
• It is one of the last 5 odd nights of Ramadan and the reward is better than the worship of 1000 months.

Question 9

What is Itikaf?

Answer 9

• Some Muslims withdraw to mosques for the last ten days of Ramadan which is called Itikaf and dedicate their time to prayer and worship.

Question 10

What are the examples of people who are exempted from fasting?

Answer 10

• Children that haven’t reached puberty
• Mentally-challenged people
• Old women and men, however, have to give fidya, which is feeding a poor person twice a day or giving a grain or its equivalent in cash to the needy.
• The sick who are allowed to postpone their fast and make it up for later
• Travellers during their travel but they should make up for it
• Breastfeeding women and Women at the time of their mensuration due to childbirth but make up for them.