From Etiquettes of Fasting

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

Here comes the month of divine generosity and heavenly blessings, here comes the month of Ramadan, the month of goodness and benevolence. How beautiful is its appearance, and how magnificent is its arrival! In it, good deeds are multiplied, sins and mistakes are forgiven, and prayers are answered. It is a station for purifying souls from blameworthy traits and urging them towards obedience. Therefore, a wise and discerning person should not miss out on this month. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! Whoever lives to see Ramadan and does not have his sins forgiven..." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad).

 

In this article, we will discuss some of the etiquettes a fasting person should adhere to:

 

1-Eagerness for Suhoor and Delaying it: The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of having Suhoor (pre-dawn meal during Ramadan) and delaying it until shortly before Fajr. He said, "Partake in Suhoor, for indeed there is a blessing in it." [Reported by Bukhari & Muslim]. He also said, "The Suhoor meal is blessed, so do not neglect it even if one of you just takes a gulp of water. Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon those who have Suhoor." [Reported by Imam Ahmad].

 

2-Refraining from Forbidden Speech: During fasting, it's crucial to abstain from prohibited speech such as backbiting, gossip, and lying. Fasting is an act of worship ordained to purify the soul and habituate it to goodness. Ramadan serves as a school whose aim is to graduate the fasting person as righteous, which is the ultimate goal of fasting. Allah says in the Quran, "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-." (Al-Baqarah, 183). The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said, " Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions and does not abandon foolishness, Allah is not in need of his leaving food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his FASTING)." (Related by al-Bukhari). He also said, "Fasting is a protection for you, so when you are fasting, do not behave obscenely or foolishly, and if any one argues with you or abuses you, say, 'I am fasting. I am fasting." (Related by al-Bukhari).

 

3-Showing kindness to fasting people and offering them Iftar: The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said, " Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person's), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person." (Related by al-Tirmidhi & Ahmad).

 

4-Increasing charity and generosity in the month of Ramadan: The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and his generosity would peak during the month of Ramadan. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind. [Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

5-Recitation of the Quran: Ramadan is the month of the Quran, during which it was revealed. Allah says in the Quran: " Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong)." (Al-Baqarah, 185). Therefore, Muslims should increase their recitation and reflection upon the verses of the Quran, especially during Ramadan.

 

6-Iʿtikaf and Qiyaam during Ramadan, including Taraweeh prayers: It was narrated that the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." [Related by al-Bukhari & Muslim]. Additionally, it was his practice during the last ten nights of Ramadan to exert himself in worship, awaken his family, and tighten his waist belt (i.e., devote himself to worship). [Related by al-Bukhari & Muslim].

 

7-Performing Umrah during Ramadan: It is highly recommended to perform Umrah during the month of Ramadan. The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "Umrah performed in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj." (Reported by al-Bukhari).

 

8-Hastening the Iftar: The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "The people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."* *This refers to each day during Ramadan, and recommends that the fast should be broken as early as that may lawfully be done. (Related by Bukhari & Muslim).

 

9-Avoiding ignorant and foolish behavior, and forgiving: The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: " When any one of you is observing Saum (fasting) on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise the voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: 'I am observing fast." (Reported by al-Bukhari).

 

10-Reflecting on the blessing of fasting: It is important for the fasting person to recognize the blessing of Allah upon him by granting him the ability and ease to fast. Many people are deprived of fasting due to various reasons such as death before reaching the age of fasting, physical incapacity, or turning away from it (fasting) due to misguidance.