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The fast is observed from the beginning of the day till sunset. The time for beginning the fast has been stated in the Quran,
"...and eat and drink until you can discern the white streak of dawn from the blackness of night; and then resume fasting until nightfall..... (Sura Al-Baqara; 2:187)
This is the time from which the time of
Fajr prayer begins. Before this, a meal is taken (Sahur), so one may have some
nutrition, as the entire day is to be spent on an empty stomach.
The Messenger of Allah said
that the Ummah would be secure from trials as long they continue eating until
the last permissible moment. Saum (plural: Siyam) is mandatory for all mature Muslims,
male & female. Since Saum is physically demanding, those who are unable to
fast, such as pregnant women or nursing (breast-feeding) mothers, the elderly,
sick, or injured individuals are exempted. For example, if one is suffering
from an ailment that might be aggravated by Saum, it may be deferred until the
patient recovers.
In case, the ailment is
permanent, such as diabetes, or the individual is too old, Fidiya
(compensation) may be offered instead. A traveler may also defer the fast until
he or she returns home. Fidiya is the feeding of two meals to a needy person
for every missed fast. The menstruating ladies need not fast nor offer
compensation. During the fast, extraordinary care is taken to observe Allah's
commandments, such as five daily prayers, and abstaining from shameful deeds,
than in normal routine.
The modern scholars have titled
the fast of Ramadan the 'annual refresher course' for Muslims. As the reward
for good deeds multiplies manifold. Muslims perform as many additional acts as
possible, such as offering Nafl Salat, distributing charity, and recitation of
Holy Quran. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) instructed that Sahur be taken up to the last
permissible moment, and no delays should occur in the breaking of the fast,
once the sun has set.
When the sun sets, the fast is broken, and the following dua is recited,
"O Allah! I fasted for you, believe in you, trust in you, and broke my fast with your bounty".
Once
the fast is over, the next stage in the 'annual refresher course' begins. After
the `Isha prayer, men (and women also if they so desire) gather to offer in
congregation in the mosque the "Taraveeh" prayer. The object of the
Taraveeh is to recite a large portion of the Quran daily, and thus, complete at
least one full recitation in this holy month. It may be offered in the nafl
congregation with eight to twenty Rakat.
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