Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim,
Ramadan is coming soon, I just want to remind everyone to make niyaat (intentions) before fasting. Also not to forget make du’a for iftaar (breaking the fast). I know most of us know the dua’s to be read at the time of sahoor/ pre dawn meal (stop 10 minutes before azan al fajr ) and iftaar (breakfast. When adzan maghrib). However, it never hurts to re-check oneself to make sure you perfect your Deen. If you already know this, maybe you know of someone who may benefit from this knowledge and or for those who have reverted back to Islam. Please pass this article on.
When the Crescent of Ramadan month is sighted we should declare to ourselves that, we will keep all fasts during this month of Ramadan, qurbatan ilallah ta’ala (to attain nearness to Allah). It is recommended to turn towards the Qiblah, raising hands towards the sky, then say the following prayers:
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ ، والسَّلامَةِ والإِسْلامِ ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ –
Allaahumma ahillahu ‛alaynaa bil-amni wal-eemaani, was-salaamati wal-islaami, wat-tawfeeqi limaa tuḥibbu watarḍaa, rabunaa wa rabbuk-allaahu
O Allah, let the crescent this month above us be a period of peace and faith, safety and Islam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.
Abu Huraira (ra) reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: “Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadan) observe fast. And when you sight it (the new moon of Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe fast for thirty days.”(Saheeh Muslim).
After we eat sahoor (pre-dawn meal) -please make sure to stop eating 10 minutes before adzan), we make niyaat (intention) to fast with this dua:
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَا
Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan
(I intend to keep the fast tomorrow in the month of Ramadan)
Or:
نـَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غـَدٍ عَـنْ ا َدَاءِ فـَرْضِ شـَهْرِ رَمـَضَانَ هـَذِهِ السَّـنـَةِ لِلـّهِ تـَعَالىَ
Nawaitu sauma ghadin an’adai fardu syahri ramadhana hadzihissanati lillahita’ala
(I intend to do obligatory fast tomorrow in the month of Ramadan this year because of Allah)
Sahoor is sunnah and to delay it is also sunnah. This is what will strengthen the fasting of Muslim, and would lessen the hardship of fasting. It would also lessen the time period of thirst and hunger.
Rasulullah Shalallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Take sahoor, for verily there is a blessing in sahoor.”
When the maghrib adzan sounding (evening praying calling) , we are breaking the fast, we should say these du’a, right before beginning to eat.
اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa ‘ala rizq-ika aftarthu
O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance
ذهب الظمأ، وابتلت العروق ، وثبت الأجر إن شاء الله
Dzahabadh-dhama’u wabtallatil-‘urooqu, wa thabatal-ajru inshaa-Allaahu
The thirst has gone and the veins are quenched, and reward is confirmed, if Allaah wills.(Narated by: Abu Dawud 2/306, Sahih Al-Jami As Saghir 4/209)
اللهم إني أسألك برحمتك التي وسعت كل شيء أن تغفر لي
Allahumma inni as aluka birahmatika allati wasi’at kullu syaiin an aghfirali
O Allaah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelops all things, that You forgive me.(Narrated by: Ibn Majah 1/557)
May Allah give us health and strength to fast in the holy month of Ramadan
Allahumma Aamiin.
