Why do we fast

Allah says in the meaning of:

fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you.
Since Islam means submission to Allah, we have no other choice but to submit ourselves to Allah and obey His commandments.

Actions Which Nullify the Fast

1-Intentional eating, drinking

2-Sexual intercourse

3-Intentional vomiting

4-Poor Intentions

5-Injections containing nourishment

Involuntarily events that break the fast

The fast is disrupted (and there is no point or reward then in continuing to fast) when a woman sees the blood caused by either of:

1-Menstruation

2-post-childbirth bleeding

Acts That are Permissible During the Fast

(1) Pouring water over one's self and submerging one's self in water

(2) Applying Kohl (*) or eye-drop or anything to the eyes

(*)A black substance applied to the rims of the eyelids

(3) Kissing and foreplay for one who has the ability to control himself
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(4) Injections, eye and ear drops

(5) Cupping (Hijaamah) and blood-letting [or donation] for medical purposes

(6) Rinsing the mouth and nose

(7) Those things which one could not protect one's self from

(8) The fasting person can eat, drink, and have sexual intercourse until fajr

(9) It is permissible for the fasting person to be Junub (sexually defiled or having had intercourse or a wet dream) at the time of Fajr (that is, a person is not required to perform ghusl before fajr)

(10) Delaying the purifying ghusl (bath) from menstruation till after fajr (dawn)

(11) Involuntary actions

Who is permitted to break the fast in Ramadhan?

(1)The Insane person

An insane person should not fast and should not be asked or forced to fast because he does not know or understand what he is doing.

(2)The Pregnant and Breast-Feeding women

If they fear for the baby, can break the fast and pay the fidyah (ransom). They do not have to make up the days missed according to one opinion of scholars.

(3)The Traveler and the (not chronically) ill

A sick person may break his fast which, if continued, would only aggravate the illness or delay its cure. He must make up the days of fasting that he missed.

If a sick person or a traveler fast and withstand the hardships of the fast, and continue to fast while Feeling the hardship, their fast will be valid but disliked, for they did not accept the concession Allah gave him, thereby causing himself much hardship.


The Manners of Fasting:

1-Eating the Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal)

2-Hastening in breaking the fast.

3-Supplications while breaking the fast.

4-Refraining from performing any actions that do not befit the fasting.

5-Using the Siwak [tooth stick brush].

6-Being generous and studying the Qur'an.

7-Praying in the nights of Ramadan.

The last ten days of Ramadan:

How to take full advantage and benefit from the last part of Ramadan ?

Though all parts of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions. I will focus here on three major practices of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions during these days.

1-Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadan:

You should strive [to do acts of worship] during the last ten days of Ramadan more than you should at any other time.

2-Performing I`tikaf in the Masjid (seclusion in the Mosque):

I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. This was the practise of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, during the last ten days of Ramadan especially.

One who is performing Sunnah i'tikaf may end his i`tikaf at any time, even if it is before the period he intended to stay.

It is preferred for the one who is making I`tikaf to perform many supererogatory acts of worship and to occupy himself with prayers, reciting the Qur'an, glorifying and praising Allah, extolling His oneness and His greatness, asking His forgiveness, sending salutations on the Prophet, upon whom be peace, and supplicating Allah - that is, all actions that bring one closer to Allah. It is also preferred to set up a small tent in the courtyard of the mosque as the Prophet did.

3-Seeking Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree)

A)It is the greatest night of the year.

B)It is the night when the Qur'an was reveled.

C)It is the night when the Message (the Final and seal of all messages) sent to Mohammad,
salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, started.

D)It is the night when the light, that would illuminate mankind to the end of life, started.

E)It is the night when every matter of ordainment is decreed.

A person who misses Laylatul-Qadr is really a deprived person!