How To Fast

When the month of Ramadan begins, All Muslims must observe fast.

To fast one must abstain from dawn till sunset from the following things:

Eating

Drinking

Smoking

Obscenity

Vain talk

Sexual intercourse

Fighting

Negative things

To keep the fast the person must say this Dua which is known as the intention of fasting and is a requirement for fasting:

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan

(I intend to keep the fast today in the month of Ramadan)
[abu Dawud]

The fast begins at dawn with the Fajr prayer, the person takes a meal before the prayer known as the sahur.

During the day the person must abstain from all things mentioned above and go about their normal daily activities.

When fasting all the following must be observed otherwise the fast becomes void:

The 5 Daily compulsory prayers

While fasting it is better to indulge in extra acts of worship since the rewards are greatly increased.

Recommended actions while fasting:

Doing extra voluntary prayers (nafal salat)

Doing extra voluntary charity (sadqah)

Seeking out opportunities for good deeds

Maintaining a smiling face and helping others

Exercising restraint and being extra kind and generous

Provide means for someone to keep their fast at sunrise

Provide means for someone to break their fast at sunset

All compulsory prayers must be observed during the fast otherwise it will make the fasting useless.

At sunset at the time of the Maghrib prayer, the fasting person breaks their fast. This meal is known as Iftaar.

When breaking the fast there are quite a few Duas which can be said one of these which is known as the dua for opening the fast should be recited:

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

(O Allah!  I fasted for You and I believe in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance)
[abu Dawud]

It is a practice of the Prophet Mohammed to break the fast with a date and water.

To provide means for someone to keep their fast at the time of sahur or break their fast at the time of iftaar is a means to paradise, so we must all seek to do it.

After the fast is over one may eat and drink normally

After the fast is over one may have sexual intercourse with their spouse

At night after Maghrib prayers in the mosque the optional Taraveeh prayers are held - it is highly recommended to attend this everyday.

In the last 10 nights of Ramadan a lot of people sit in Itikaf which is a practice of the Prophet, you can learn more about Itikaf by clicking on the topic on the left.