Ramadan: Intention and Validity

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory for every Muslim adult. The Arabic word sawm is used for fasting. The word sawm (plural siyam) means ‘to refrain’, but as an Islamic term, it means refraining from food, drinks and sexual activity from dawn to sunset.

DURATION OF SAWM

Fasting starts every day in Ramadan at the break of dawn, which is also the start of the Salatul Fajr time. Fasting ends at sunset or with the call of Salatul Maghrib.

INTENTION

Muslims can make one intention first of Ramadan that he/she will fast the whole month (if intend to fast the whole month without any stops). Otherwise, it is better to make an intention every day before dawn to fast the next day. The intention (niyyah) may be made during the night before going to sleep or it can also be made at the time of Suhoor before dawn. Suhoor is eating before fasting. It should be as close to Fajr time as possible. Niyyah is as simple as saying in your heart: “I intend to fast tomorrow as an obligatory act for Allah“

VALIDITY OF FASTING

The things which invalidate fast are of two kinds. The first one requires Qada (only making up missed days), and the other one not only requires Qada but also Kaffarah(a penalty).

The following are the things that require Qada only:

1. Eating or drinking intentionally. This includes non-nourishing items taken by mouth.
2. Deliberately causing oneself to throw up.
3. The beginning of menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding even in the last moment before sunset.
4. Ejaculation for reasons other than sexual intercourse.
5. Intending to break the fast before sunset even if one changes his mind since the intention is one of the prerequisites of the validity of fasting.
6. Eating, drinking or having intercourse after dawn on the mistaken assumption that it is not dawn yet. Similarly, engaging in these acts before Maghrib on the mistaken assumption that it is already sunset.

Things that not only require Qada but also Kaffarah are the following:

Sexual intercourse during fasting(dawn to dusk). The penalty is to fast an additional period of 60 continuous days. If one is not able to do so then he must feed sixty poor people one average meal each.

What does not break the fast:

1. If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks, he should complete his fast, for it is only Allah who has fed him and given him drink. (A Hadith from Muslim).
2. Unintentional vomiting.
3. Swallowing things that are not possible to avoid, such as one’s saliva, street dust, smoke, etc.
4. Brushing the teeth.