Part 2 : WHEN TO BEGIN FASTING :

Part 2 : WHEN TO BEGIN FASTING :

What is Sawm (Fasting)?

The Arabic word for fasting is called "sawm" in the Quran. The word sawm literally means "to abstain/restrain oneself".

The first day of Ramadan can be confirmed by one of the following:
1. By sighting the moon on the night of the 29th of Sha'ban (the month which precedes Ramadan) , When the new crescent is sighted, the fast becomes an obligation on the following day from dawn to sunset.
Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Fast when you sight the moon (of Ramadan) and break your fast when you sight it (meaning the moon for Shawwal, which comes after Ramadan)," (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
2. By completing thirty days of Sha'ban, in which case the following day will be the first day of Ramadan. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "If you were not able to see it (the crescent of Ramadhan), then complete the month (of Sha'ban) as thirty days." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In the second year of Hijrah, Muslims were commanded to fast in the month of Ramadan every year as mentioned in the verse above [Al-Baqarah 2:183]."O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)" The Quran further says "The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran, wherein is guidance for humankind and the clear signs of guidance and distinction. Thus whosoever among you witness the month must fast..." [Al-Baqarah 2:185].

Requirements for Fasting to Be Valid :

There are basically two main components of fasting:

1 - The intention (niyyah) for fasting. One should make a sincere intention to fast for the sake of Allah every day before dawn. The intention need not be in words, but must be with the sincerity of the heart and mind. Allah (S.W.T) says interpretation of the meaning is: "...and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall." (2:187)

2 - Abstaining from dawn to dusk from everything that invalidates fasts(the acts which invalidate fasts we will get to know in the next posts,in sha Allah).

2. Abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse.
Fasting starts at dawn (about an hour and twenty minutes before sunrise) and lasts until sunset.