Dear Muslims;

Assalamu Alaikum,

Today's talk is about the rules and practices of fasting in Islam The first part of the talk will be about exemptions from fasting followed by nullification of fasting. The last part of the talk will be about the practices of fasting.

Exemptions from Fasting:

Fasting throughout Ramadan annually is obligatory on all Muslims past puberty. Children under the age of puberty are exempted although they are encouraged to fast as many days as they can. Th age of puberty for boys is when they start nocturnal emission, while for girls, it would be at menarche.

The following groups are exempted from fasting:

(1) Sick people with recoverable illness may postpone their fast as long as they are ill and make up for it later, a day at a time for every day missed.

(2) People who are traveling may not fast, but they must make u later the number of days they have missed. It had been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "It is not piety to fast while traveling."

(3) Women during pregnancy and lactation ... however, later the must make up the number of days which they have missed.

(4) Women during menstruation (often six to seven days) or women during post-natal discharge (usually forty days). For them fasting is forbidden, but they must make up for the number o days missed.

(5) Elderly people who are physically unable to fast. However, they are to give a needy person food for a full day or its value for each day missed.

(6) Insane and retarded people.

(7) Those engaged in very hard work, such as soldiers on the battlefield. Although permitted to delay fasting during Ramadan, they must make up the missing days later.

Nullification of Fasting

Fasting would be nullified if a person deliberately and willingly commits an act which breaks fasting. In such circumstances, the person must repeat the fast at a later time with or without penance. Some of the factors which nullify the fast are:

(1) Any solid or liquid material, taken intentionally during the fasting periods.

(2) Sexual intercourse.

(3)Intentional vomiting.

(4) Continuing to eat and drink or to have sexual intercourseafter dawn, not realizing that the time of fasting has already started, and then discovering the error.

(5)To break the fast just before sunset, assuming or thinking that the sun has already set.

(6) Intravenous or intramuscular injections or nutrients for health reasons.

The practice of fasting among Muslims follows a sequential daily pattern which may be summarized as follows:

The Muslim makes a verbal intention, at any time the night before the next day on which he is fasting, approximately as follows: "O God! I intend to fast for the coming day as part of the whole month of Ramadan. 0 God! Help me to fulfill my duty conscientiously to please You."

He/she may wake up about an hour before dawn for prayer (taha-jjud, salat). He performs ablutions, recites from the Qur'an and performs the prayer, which produces physical, mental, and spiritual fulfillment. This, may take from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the individual's wish. Afterwards, the Muslim has a light predawn meal, called Sahoor. Usually Muslims prefer moist foods high in protein and vitamins. Eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, fresh or dehydrated fruits, vegetables and bread are among the foods which may be included in breakfast. It has been reported that eating a meal before dawn is considered to be a blessing to the individual. The meal must be completed, however, before the first light of dawn, and Muslims must then totally abstain from food and drink, smoking and sexual intercourse throughout the day until sunset.

After dawn, anytime during about one and a half hours before sunrise, Muslims perform their dawn prayers (Salatul Fajr), which include two cycles (Rakaats), preceded by two supererogatory cycles.

During the day, they pray twice, at noon (Salatul Zuhr) and in the late afternoon (Salatul Asr). Immediately after sunset, they break their fast with liquids, such as water, milk or juice, along with dates taken in odd numbers, after saying: "O God! I have fasted for Your pleasure. 0 God! Accept my fast and reward me." This breaking of the fast is called Iftar. Then the sunset prayer (Salatul Maghrib) is performed, after which dinner is eaten. It is recommended that the fasting person should not completely fill the stomach with foods and liquids. The night prayer (Salatul Isha) is performed two hours later. During Ramadan, there is an extra night prayer (Salatul Taraweeh).

During the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to undertake additional devotions. During the time, there is a night called "Night of Power" (Lailatul Qadr), which is better than one thousand months worth of living (Qur'an 97: 115) and Hadeeth or Sunnah. Muslims are, therefore, encouraged to spend the whole of this night praying and reciting the Qur'an individually and/or collectively. During these last ten days, individuals are also encouraged to intensify their religious observation and to retire temporarily for one to ten days in Mosques for prayers, meditation, vocal recitation of the Qur'an, and spiritual attainment. This is called I'tikaf.

Thus, the food -and life habits of a Muslim during the month of fasting are totally changed from the routine. Generally, less food is consumed, as only two instead of three meals are eaten during 24 hours.

The times of meals are also changed-one before dawn, the other immediately after sunset. The hours of sleep during the normal rest period are shortened, due to the night prayers and the early breakfasts before dawn. The behavior, mood, and personality of the individuals are improved during this period due to the self-control they attain.

We hope and we pray that Muslims will observe this obligation their daily lives so as to attain Taqwa and to find contentment in their hearts.

Let us ask Allah for forgiveness.