Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Fourth Lesson on the Fasting Of Ramadan and its Intention – Part 4

By Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi, New Age Islam Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 27 March 2023 Fourth Lesson on The Fasting Of Ramadan And its Intention According to the accepted Shariah terminology, ‘Fasting’ refers to a Muslim's intentional practise of abstaining from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual activity, from the true dawn [Subh-e-Saadiq] until sunset, with the intention of worshipping Allah (Ibaadat). In order to fast, a female must be free from menstruation (Haidh) and post-natal bleeding (Nifaas). (Bahaar-e-Shariat) Gradations Of Fasting There are three gradations of fasting: The first is the Fasting of the common Muslims. They prevent the stomach and private parts of the body from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual activity. The second gradation of fasting is practised by the spiritually elite [Khawaas]. They protect all parts of the body from sinful acts, in addition to withholding the stomach and private parts from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual activity. Third is the fasting of the spiritually Super Elite who entirely abstain from anything that is not done for the sake of Allah, and direct their attention only towards Allah. [Al-Jauhira Al-Nayyira] The Prescribed Time for the Intention [Niyyat] The time allotted for the intention of the Ada of the Ramadan fasts, the defined vow [Nazr-E-Mu'ayyan], and the Nafil fasts starts from (i.e. after) sunset up to Dhahwa-i-Kubrā [i.e. the midday as defined by the Shariah]. If the intention is made at any point within this duration, the fast will be considered valid. As a result, if someone made the intention to fast the next day before sunset, and then entered an unconscious state, and regained consciousness after Dhahwa-i-Kubrā, their fast would not be considered valid in this instance. Yet, his fast would be considered valid if he made the intention after the sun had set. [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Raddul Muhtar] [Translator’s Note: Ada refers to the timely performance of every required act within its prescribed time] Law: Dhahwa-i-Kubrā is not the proper time for the intention, but the intention must actually be made before the Dhahwa-i-Kubrā since that is necessary. If someone made the intention at the precise instant the Sun touches the "Khattu Nisf al-Nahaar-al-Shari" [i.e. the meridian line of the location], then that fast is invalid. [General Books of Fiqh] [Translator’s Note: The time when the Sun is at its highest point at midday is referred to as Nisf al-Nahaar-al-Shari'] The Method of Knowing the Time of Nisf Al-Nahaar-Al-Shari Split into two equal halves the period of time between the actual dawn and the actual sunset on the day you are looking for Nisf al-Nahaar-al-Shari. You can use this trick to determine the time of Nisf al-Nahaar-al-Shari. As soon as the first half ends, the Nisf al-Nahaar-al-Shari time will start. Consider the true dawn and sunset for today, which are supposed to be at four and six o'clock, respectively. They are separated by fourteen hours. Divide the duration into two halves, and you will have seven hours for each half. Now, if we add seven hours to four o'clock, the time of the Nisf al-Nahaar-al-Shari starts at eleven o'clock. The important thing to remember is that after eleven o'clock, the intention of these three types of fasts can no longer be valid. (Raddul Muhthar vol. 3. p. 143) Law: The Niyyat (intention) refers to the intent of the heart. It is not a condition to mention the intention with the tongue. Nonetheless, it is Mustahab (commendable) to mention the words of the intention with the tongue. If someone makes their intention at night to observe the fast of Ramadan, they should say the following: نَوِیْتُ اَنْ اَصُوْمَ غَدًا لِلّٰہِ تَعَالیٰ مِنْ فَرِضِ رَمْضَانَ ھٰذَا Nawaytu An Asooma Ghadan Lillahi Ta’aala Min Fardi Ramadana Haadha Translation: “I have made the intention that I will observe the Mandatory Fast of this Ramadan tomorrow for Allah” The following words of intention should be used if someone makes the intention during the day: نَوِیْتُ اَنْ اَصُوْمَ ھٰذَا الْیَوْمَ لِلّٰہِ تَعَالیٰ مِنْ فَرِضِ رَمْضَانَ ھٰذَا۔ Nawaytu An Asooma Haadhal Yawma Lillahi Ta’aala Min Fardi Ramadana Haadha Translation: "I have made the intention that I shall observe the Mandatory Fast of this Ramadan today for Allah." [Raddul Muhtaar, Vol.3, p.233] Law: The Arabic words used to express the intention will be counted as the intention only when the speaker is aware of their meaning. Additionally, it should be kept in mind that any intention made by the tongue, regardless of language, will be effective, provided that the intention is also made through the heart. Law: One may also make the intention in their mother tongue. You can make your intention in Arabic or any other language, but it must be done so with sincere heartfelt intent; otherwise, the intention won't be valid if you just carelessly recite the phrases you've memorised. Absolutely, the intention is valid if you utter the memorized words of intention with your tongue and then make the intention in your heart within the allotted time. (Raddul Muhtar Vol. 3 p. 332) Law: When setting an intention during the day, it is required to make the following intention: “I am fasting since Subh-e-Saadiq [true dawn]. Hence the intention is invalid if someone says, “I am fasting as of now, and not since the true dawn (Subh-e-Saadiq),". [Al-Jauhira al-Nayyira, Vol.1, p.170] Law: For each fast of Ramadan, it is compulsory to set a new intention. If someone sets an intention on the first day of Ramadan or any other date to fast for the full month of Ramadan, such intention is only valid for that particular day and is not valid for the other days. [Al-Jauhira al-Nayyira, Volume 1, p.170] (Continued) Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi is the author of multiple books. He has also lectured and held positions such as Mufti, Shaykhul Hadith, president, founder, and director at a number of institutions, including Dar Uloom Ghousia in Hubli, Karnataka, and Darul Uoom Solemaniya Rahmaniya in Bikaner Darul Uloom Reza-e-Mustafa, Bihar, Madrasa Shah Khalid, Vanwa Libo Muslim League, Fiji (near Australia), Madina Educational Society, Rajasthan. He currently holds the positions of Mufti in the Sunni Darul Ifta in the Madina Masjid, General Secretary of the Raza Foundation, Director of the Darain Academy, Founder of the Afkar-e- Raza Institution, and Chief Editor of the Do-Maahi Raza-e-Madina (Urdu, Hindi) in Azadnagar, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. ------ Previous Articles: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Welcome to Ramadan and First Lesson on the Virtues of Ramadan Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Second Lesson on the Respect of Ramadan – Part 2 Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Third Lesson On The Horrific Consequences Of Desecrating Ramadan – Part 3 URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/ramadan-lesson-fasting-part-4/d/129412 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism