O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.

Qur’aan 2:138

The Intention for Fasting (Niyyah)

The intention’s place is the heart, not the lips. Neither the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), nor any of his companions, ever pronounced the intention verbally.

The Du‘aa for Breaking the Fast

This is the only du‘aa specified by the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) for the time of iftaar:

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّه

Dhahabaz-zama’, wabtallat-il-‘urooq, wa thabat-al-ajr, in shaa’ Allaah.”

(The thirst has gone, the veins are moist and the reward is set, Allaah willing.)

[Sunan Abee Daawood (2357) – graded authentic by Ibn Hajar & al-Albaanee]

A person may supplicate with any other good words along with the above. However, it is not correct to specify any particular du‘aa for iftaar that was not specified by the Prophet.

Ramadaan Advice in Brief

  • Read more Qur’aan and offer more units of prayer and do it with reflection, humility and attentiveness.
  • Share and provide food for fasting people to gain a reward similar to theirs, especially the poor and needy.
  • Perform your five prayers on time in congregation to gain the reward and Allaah’s protection.
  • Do your best to attend the taraaweeh prayers.
  • Give plenty of charity.
  • Break your fast as soon as the sun sets – don’t delay.
  • Avoid overeating.
  • Maintain ties with family and relatives.
  • Safeguard your tongue from lying, cursing, backbiting and slander for they decrease the reward of fasting.
  • Resolve important Islamic issues in your life.

 

Note

Fajr beginning time also means imsaak (starting fast) and Maghrib beginning time also means adhaan and iftaar (breaking fast).