SUNNATS AND FARD DUTIES
IN SAUM (FAST)

Fard Duties in Fast:

The following duties are Fard in fast and breach of one of them shall make the fast null and void:

1. If someone sees the moon, or anybody reliable as a witness attests that he has seen it, it becomes compulsory on the former to keep fast.

2. Niyyah of fast is Fard. Every morning after Sehri, Niyyah must be made in the mind or uttered by the tongue for the following days fast.

3. Anything wilfully introduced into the body from outside makes the fast void; but if it is introduced out of forgetfulness or if anything goes into the body as a result of involuntary action, fasting will not be void. Therefore, smoking, wilful vomiting, wilful taking of medicine, and acts of similar nature make the fast invalid. But if one takes in something as food or drink out of forgetfulness, or vomits a little quantity involuntarily or somehow or the other allows water to get in without any intention, he will not injure fast. Cleaning the mouth or teeth by gargling or snipping water into nostrils does not break the fast.

4. Sexual intercourse during the hours of fasting is prohibited. If resumed, it will make the fast void, but there is no prohibition at night after Iftaar. Kissing or hugging without lust is as a greeting to one’s wife, mother or daughter, however, allowed in fasting.

5. In many cases, the Holy Prophet of Islam (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) held that one who does not resist from false talks and false actions is not required to keep fast. Once he advised two persons to break fast because they rendered it void by backbiting. He said: Fast is meaningless if one speaks falsehood and is engaged in bad actions.

Sunnats in Fast:

1. To partake of Sehri or pre-dawn meal.

2. To break fast immediately after sunset.

3. To read Taraweeh prayer at night after Esha.

4. To feed the poor and hungry fellow-beings.

5. To increase the Quraan reading, and

6. To observe Ihtikaf (seclusion) within the Mosque during the last ten days of Ramadaan.