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.
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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
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