𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 19 | 19 Sha’bān 1444H

This is our final lesson related to the rulings of fasting the month of Ramaḍhān. In this lesson we will mention the obligatory, recommended, disliked, and allowable acts of fasting. ▪️The obligatory acts of Ṣawm [Wājibāt] Ṣawm has one obligatory act; that is to avoid all types of sins. The implication of committing sins while fasting (aside from invalidating one's fast <- as these are also sins) is that they diminish the reward of fasting. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allāh is not in need of him leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allāh will not accept his fasting).” [Bukhāri & Muslim] 💡Benefit: Al-Bayḍhāwī raḥimahullāh said: “Fasting was not legislated merely for hunger and thirst, but due to what results from that in terms of overcoming one's desires and subjugating the evil soul so that it succumbs to the tranquil soul; if this does not happen, Allāh will not look at this fast with [an eye of] acceptance.” [Fat-ḥ Al-Bārī] 🔺Note: If a person does not abandon major sins while fasting, their fast will not be a means for their past sins to be forgiven. Major sins include: missing a prayer, praying late, backbiting, swearing, lying, disobeying parents, disobeying husband, oppressing others... ___ ▪️Recommended acts of Ṣawm [Sunan] (1) Eating Suḥūr (2) Delaying Suḥūr (3) To avoid seeking revenge. Rather when someone swears at him or quarrels with him, he should say, I am fasting. The Prophet ﷺ said: “If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody fights or quarrels with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.'” [Bukhāri & Muslim] 💡Benefit: Sheikh ’Uthaymīn raḥimahullāh said, this statement should be uttered audibly for two reasons: (1) to let the perpetrator know that he is not weak, and that he is capable of taking revenge, but nothing is preventing him from doing so other than the fact that he is fasting, (2) to remind the perpetrator that this is not from the conduct of a fasting person, as he too may be fasting. [Sharḥ Al-Mumti’] (4) To increase in Dhikr and Du’ā while fasting The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are three whose supplications are not rejected: a just ruler, the fasting person until he breaks his fast, and the prayer of one who has been wronged is lifted up above the clouds, the gates of heaven are opened for it and the Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘By My might, I shall surely grant you support you [against the wrongdoer], even after some time.’” [Ibn Mājah - graded 'Ṣaḥīḥ' by Sheikh Albāni in Al-Jāmi’ Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥ] 💡Benefit: Ibnul Qayyim raḥimahullāh said: “The best in every act of worship are those who remember Allāh the most while engaging in those acts; thus, the best amongst the fasting are those who remember Allāh the most while fasting, the best of the charitable are those who remember Allāh the most when giving charity, the best of the pilgrims are those who remember Allāh the most while performing pilgrimage, and the same for all other acts.” [Al-Wābil Aṣ-Ṣayyib] (5) Using a Miswāk is recommended at all times, even while fasting The Prophet ﷺ said: “Were it not that it would be too difficult for my Ummah, I would have ordered them to use the Miswāk before every prayer.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] 🔺Note: It is not permissible to intentionally swallow the juice from the Miswāk, nor the bits that come off it. (6) It's Sunnah for the fasting person when invited to a meal during the day to say, I am fasting. The Prophet ﷺ said: “If one of you is invited for a meal while fasting, he should say, I am fasting.” [Muslim] 🔺Note: This Sunnah applies outside Ramaḍhān. Especially when a Muslim invites you to his Walīmah, because it's Wājib to answer this invitation.