A large number of Muslims seek to know the fiqh of fasting, its rulings, pillars, obligations, recommended acts, and Sunnahs, so that they may perform this great act of worship in the best and most complete way, to attain the pleasure of Allah SWT and win His Paradise and His pleasure. Before the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan, the Muslim must set for himself a set of lofty goals and good intentions and strive hard to achieve them on the ground.
Ramadan represents the best opportunity for the Muslim to improve his relationship with Allah SWT and strengthen his connection with Him, through various acts of worship and many good deeds, such as prayer, supplication, remembrance, charity, and recitation of the Holy Qur’an. In this article, we will talk in detail about ramadan fasting rules time, mentioning the wisdom of imposing this great duty on Muslims.
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How to Determine the Beginning of Ramadan
The sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon is observed on the 29th night of Sha’ban after sunset. Experts look for the moon with the naked eye or telescopes. If sighted, Ramadan begins the next day; otherwise, Shaban is completed as 30 days. Some countries also use astronomical calculations alongside traditional sighting methods. The Prophet PBUH said:
“صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا عِدَّةَ شَعْبَانَ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْمًا.”
“Fast when you see it (the crescent) and break your fast when you see it, and if it is obscured from you, then complete Sha’ban as thirty days.”
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When Does the Time of Fasting Begin Daily in Ramadan?
To clarify ramadan fasting rules time accurately, fasting begins every day from the second Fajr (the break of true dawn) until the Maghrib prayer. The Muslim can eat Iftar at that time and thank Allah SWT for His blessings and abundant sustenance. It is from the purified Sunnah of the Prophet PBUH that the fasting person breaks his fast with dates or water, because in that there is following the Prophet PBUH and emulating him.
Is It Necessary to Renew the Intention Every Day in Ramadan?
Scholars differed on this matter as some of them believe that for continuous fasting, such as fasting the blessed month of Ramadan, a single intention can be made for the entire month on the first night of it. This is the opinion of Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him). Other scholars believe that the Muslim must intend to fast for each day separately, because it is an independent act and because the intention is an essential pillar of fasting, and fasting is not valid without it.
This is the best and most cautious thing to do, according to the saying of the Prophet PBUH: “Whoever does not intend to fast before Fajr, there is no fast for him.” He PBUH also said:
“مَنْ لَمْ يُبَيِّتْ الصِّيَامَ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ فَلَا صِيَامَ لَهُ”
Whoever does not intend to fast before Fajr, there is no fast for him.
“إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امريء مانوى فمن كانت هجرته إلى الله ورسوله فهجرته إلى الله ورسوله ومن كانت هجرته لدنيا يصيبها أو امرأة ينكحها فهجرته إلى ما هاجر إليه”
Actions are but by intentions and every man shall have only that which he intended. So whoever’s migration was for Allah and His Messenger, then his migration was for Allah and His Messenger, and whoever’s migration was for some worldly gain or for a woman to marry, then his migration was for that for which he migrated.
This clearly and in detail shows the rules and times of fasting Ramadan.
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What Are the Actions That the Muslim Is Recommended to Do During Fasting?
There are many good and recommended actions that the Muslim is recommended to do during the blessed month of Ramadan to obtain the doubled reward and recompense from Allah SWT. Among these actions are:
- Reciting the Holy Qur’an and listening to it from a sheikh who is proficient in the Qur’an, completing it several times in the month, and being keen to ponder its meanings and apply them in your daily life, and learning the interpretation of difficult and ambiguous meanings.
- Azkar, as there are morning and evening Azkar, Azkar before sleeping, Azkar after each prayer, and other various remembrances. When the Muslim repeats them with a humble heart and a remembering tongue, he obtains a great deal of reward and recompense from Allah SWT.
- Supplication, as supplication in the month of Ramadan is answered, and the Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
«ثلاثة لا ترد دعوتهم الإمام العادل والصائم حتى يفطر، ودعوة المظلوم»
“Three supplications are not rejected: the supplication of a just ruler, the supplication of a fasting person until he breaks his fast, and the supplication of an oppressed person.”
- Charity, because the reward is multiplied in the month of Ramadan, and it has a night that is better than a thousand months, which is the blessed Laylat Al Qadr.
- The Muslim must be keen to perform prayers on time, the man in congregation in the mosque and the woman in her home. The prayers include the five obligatory prayers, supererogatory prayers, Sunnah prayers, Duha prayer, Tarawih prayer, and Tahajjud prayer.
- Other good deeds include calling to the path of Allah, enjoining good and forbidding evil with wisdom and good advice, and seclusion in mosques.
- Learning the rules and times of fasting Ramadan and being keen to apply them in your daily life.
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What Are the Things That Invalidate Fasting?
There are a number of things that invalidate fasting and make it incorrect. The Muslim must avoid them as much as possible. These things include:
- Menstruation and postpartum bleeding in women.
- Intercourse.
- Eating and drinking.
- Inhaling incense deliberately.
- Deliberate vomiting.
- Apostasy from Islam (Allah forbid).
- Smoking.
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How Can the Muslim Make Up for the Days He Broke His Fast in Ramadan?
Fasting Ramadan is an individual obligation on every sane, adult, and able Muslim. Therefore, the Muslim must make up for these days that he broke his fast with a legitimate excuse, whether he broke his fast as a result of having an excuse such as traveling long distances or a severe illness with which he is unable to fast, or even the woman to compensate for the days of menstruation and postpartum bleeding.
After the end of the month of Ramadan, she must intend to fast these days with the intention of making up for them. In this matter, there is vastness and facilitation, as the Muslim is allowed to fast these days at any time of the year before the arrival of the next Ramadan. He must stay away from the days on which fasting is forbidden, such as the day of Eid al-Adha, the day of Eid al-Fitr, and the days of Tashriq.
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When Is the Appropriate Time to Pay Zakat al-Fitr?
Scholars and jurists differed on this matter. The Shafi’is and Hanbalis considered that the appropriate time to pay Zakat al-Fitr is at sunset on the last day of Ramadan. The Malikis allowed paying it two or three days before its due date. The Hanafis believed that it is due at the dawn of the first day of Eid before the Eid prayer.
What Is the Wisdom Behind Imposing Fasting on Muslims?
The wisdom behind imposing fasting on Muslims lies in worshiping Allah SWT in the manner that He loves and pleases, and drawing closer to Him through good deeds and various acts of obedience. Fasting helps the Muslim to achieve piety, fear of Allah SWT, and monitoring Him in secret and in public.
It helps the Muslim in feeling for others and increasing love, cohesion, and solidarity among members of society by helping the poor and needy and giving charity to them. Fasting makes the Muslim realize that he has a strong will and an unwavering determination in facing desires, pleasures, sins, and transgressions, and insisting on obedience, worship, and adherence to the commands of Allah.
Fasting also helps in purifying hearts, refining souls, learning patience and endurance, strengthening immunity, purifying blood, improving blood circulation, and maintaining body health. Therefore, the Muslim must learn the ramadan fasting rules time in detail so that he does not miss all these great benefits and virtues.
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FAQs
Is It Necessary to Stop Eating 10 Minutes Before Fajr?
It is not necessary for the Muslim to stop eating or drinking ten minutes before Fajr specifically. It is better for the Muslim to take precautions for his religion and stop eating and drinking a few minutes before Fajr, so that he does not break his fast by mistake or doubt the validity of his fast.
Is My Fast Valid If I Vomit?
The ruling on this matter differs depending on the type of vomiting, whether it is deliberate or not. Vomiting unintentionally and inadvertently does not invalidate the fast, and the fast is valid in this case. Deliberate vomiting invalidates the fast and requires making up for this day after Ramadan. This shows the importance of knowing the rules and times of fasting Ramadan in detail.
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Does Nose Bleeding Invalidate Fasting?
Nose bleeding does not usually invalidate fasting, as long as the amount is small and not significant. If the amount of blood is large and the Muslim swallows part of it, his fast is invalidated as a result of this matter. He can compensate for this day later after Ramadan.
