A comprehensive guide to obligatory fasting (Ramadan) and various types of recommended fasting (Monday-Thursday, Ayyamul Bidh, Shawwal). Includes readings on the intention to fast, prayers for breaking the fast, the times for imsak and suhoor, and things that invalidate fasting. Also find the procedures for making up missed fasts (qadha) and paying fidyah for pregnant or breastfeeding women according to Shafi’i fiqh.
The word “fasting” (Sawm) is universally recognized, particularly when the holy month of Ramadan arrives. For Muslims, fasting is an act of worship that holds a profoundly elevated status. However, do we truly understand the comprehensive meaning of fasting? Far beyond merely enduring hunger and thirst, fasting possesses a rich conceptual depth—both linguistically and in … Read more
The month of Muharram marks the dawn of the Islamic New Year. As the inaugural month of the lunar year, the virtues of Muharram are deeply rooted in Islamic jurisprudence and history. Understanding this month’s significance is essential for Muslims seeking to maximize their spiritual rewards and align themselves with the Prophetic traditions. Let us … Read more
Fasting (al-ṣawm) is a profound act of worship. It trains us to exercise self-restraint (al-imsāk) from anything that invalidates the fast, from dawn to sunset. However, human physical condition is not always perfect. Sometimes, nausea caused by illness, motion sickness, or indigestion strikes suddenly during the day in Ramadan. This condition often leads to a … Read more
The worship of fasting (al-ṣawm) is a spiritual discipline demanding a believer to actualize al-imsāk (restraint). The essence of al-imsāk is not merely abstaining from hunger and thirst, but also rigorously controlling biological desires from the break of dawn until sunset. In married life, physical interaction between a husband and wife becomes a highly sensitive … Read more
The worship of fasting demands a believer to actualize al-imsāk, which is the complete restraint from all things that invalidate the fast from the break of dawn until sunset. In practice, the boundaries regarding things that invalidate the fast frequently intersect with daily medical needs. One specific issue that often sparks doubt among the Muslim … Read more
The month of Ramadan is a golden moment for a believer to practice self-control (al-imsāk) and elevate spiritual quality. Fasting is not merely withholding from thirst and hunger; it is a profound medium for purifying the soul. However, in practice, Muslims often face medical issues or physical therapies during the day. One such treatment is … Read more
The act of fasting (al-ṣawm) is a tangible manifestation of al-imsāk, which constitutes total restraint from all things that invalidate the fast from the break of dawn until sunset. This noble act of worship must, of course, be preceded by a sincere and correct intention for Ramadan fasting. In the scholarly tradition of the Shafi’i … Read more
The holy month of Ramadan serves as a spiritual madrasa that educates every Muslim to sharpen their inner spiritual acuity and social sensitivity. One significant manifestation of this sensitivity is the practice of muwasah (empathy and caring) toward fellow servants of Allah who are observing the fast. Within classical Islamic literature, particularly in the book … Read more
The worship of fasting (al-ṣawm) is a medium for disciplining the soul and body. Its main essence lies in al-imsāk, namely refraining from everything that invalidates the fast from dawn until sunset. For individuals who are married, the challenge of fasting extends to the manner of physical interaction with their lawful spouses during the day. … Read more
The tradition of gathering to break the fast with family or friends always colors the beauty of the holy month of Ramadan. This practice of feasting goes beyond the routine of merely eating. Sharing iftar meals is a means of worship with high value when the doer frames the intention with ikhlas (sincerity) and avoids … Read more