Ramadan is an incredibly special time of year. The holy month is an opportunity for us to reconnect with Allah (swt), reflect on our faith and gain immense reward, as every good deed is multiplied by 70. It is an important time for making duaa, as duaas made by a fasting person are readily accepted.
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam, and is obligatory upon every healthy Muslim. Fasting requires us to abstain from eating and drinking and intimacy from sunrise until sunset. It is an excellent time for challenging and strengthening oneself.
Duaa for fasting
There is a special duaa for fasting which should be made before the fast begins each day:
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Transliteration: Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan.
Translation: I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.
Having something to eat, even something simple as a few dates and water, is a sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) and highly recommended. This duaa is based on intention, and can be made out loud or set in yout heart. It is incredibly important to recite this duaa for fasting as it sets out your intention as fasting for the sake of Allah (swt), as He decreed it necessary, and an act full of reward.
The Importance of Good Intentions
The duaa for fasting helps us set our good intentions for the fast. It is necessary to make intention to fast for the sake of Allah (swt)
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab relates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:
“Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended. Thus he whose migration was for Allah and His messenger, his migration was for Allah and His messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated.”
Related by Bukhari and Muslim
The importance of fasting
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the most important things to many Muslims. It offers a chance for forgiveness, renewal of intentions and for us to deeply consider our faith and relationship with Allah (swt).
Fasting itself brings many rewards, and is one of the most beloved acts to Allah (swt).
The Prophet ﷺ said about fasting:
“Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will place between him and the Hellfire a trench equal to the distance between the sky and the earth.” [Sahih Bukhari]
