In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. As we all know the Holy Quran was revealed in Ramadan. So, it is a very important month for the Muslims. Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. It is a special act of worship that means abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset. Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is obligatory for all mature, conscious, and capable Muslims. The sick, travelers, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and those who are physically or mentally incapable of fasting are exempt. Intention (Niyyah) is an important aspect of fasting. The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded that those who fast should eat the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor). The fasting person should avoid unnecessary talk and bad deeds. During Ramadan, we should pay special attention to fasting, Taraweeh, I’tikaaf, almsgiving, and recitation of the Quran.

Making up for missed Ramadan fasts:

If one skips fasting in Ramadan intentionally, then he will have to make it up. Allah says in Surah Baqarah:

Translation: Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard (to distinguish between right and wrong). So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then (let them fast) an equal number of days (after Ramadan). Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.

From this Ayah, we can understand that:

Whoever misses fasting due to valid temporary reasons (illness, travel, pregnancy, etc.) should fast an equal number of days after Ramadan. For example: If a sick person doesn’t fast for six days in Ramadan, he should fast for six days after Ramadan.

Note: It is forbidden to fast on Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and three days following Eid-al Adha (known as the days of Tashreeq). It is also forbidden to single out Friday as a day for fasting. So, making up missed fasts is not allowed on these days.

Let us read and understand another Ayah in Surah Baqarah:

Translation: (Fast a) prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then (let them fast) an equal number of days (after Ramadan). For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person (for every day not fasted). But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.

From this Ayah, we can deduce that:

In case one skips fasting due to valid permanent reasons (old age, chronic illness, etc.) he should feed a needy person for every day not fasted.

How merciful is Allah!

Laylat al-Qadr:

Do you know what Laylat al-Qadr is? In Surah Qadr, Allah says:

Translation: Indeed, (it is) We (Who) sent this (Qur’an) down on the Night of Glory.

Yes, the Qur’an was revealed on Laylat al-Qadr. Laylat al-Qadr occurs in Ramadan’s 10 final days. It was advised by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to "Look for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan." (Bukhari).

Translation: The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.

We can understand that Laylat al-Qadr is:

A blessed night in a blessed month.

Therein all angels including Jibreel (as) come down.

It is a Night of Peace until daybreak.

A night when all supplications are granted.

On this night, it is advised to do good deeds, pray to Allah for forgiveness and recite the Holy Qur’an.

Things that invalidate the fast:

1. Intentionally eating and drinking.

2. Vomiting deliberately.

Fasting in Ramadan can earn us huge rewards from Allah. Sahl b. Sa'd (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

In Paradise there is a gate which is called Rayyan through which only the people who fast would enter on the Day of Resurrection. None else would enter along with them. It would be proclaimed: Where are the people who fast that they should be admitted into it? And when the last of them would enter, it would be closed and no one would enter it.

We should all try to use Ramadan in the best possible way. Insha Allah.

Alia Nazneen MM, Grade-5D, Indian Community School Kuwait Khaitan