A STEP TO RAMADAN(successful Ramadan)

What are the Pillars of Fasting in Ramadan?═══════════════════════

The pillars of fasting are the elements that form the essence of fasting. It is the observance of these elements that makes one's fast acceptable. These pillars are: An-Niyyah (Intention) and Al-Imsāk (Abstinence)

1. An-Niyyah (Intention):

 This pillar pervades all religious undertakings in Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: All actions are but with intentions. Thus, Imam An-Nawawiy said in Rawdatul Tālibīn that fasting is not valid without Niyyah (intention) and its place is the heart (not the tongue).

It is, however, important to note that the following conditions must be fulfilled for a Niyyah to be valid, for fasting in Ramadan:

Al-Ikhlās (Sincerity): 

This means that the intention for fasting must be to worship Allah, seek His pleasure, and earn His reward. Consequently, the fast of a Muslim is not valid if the intention is for dietary reason, weight control, loss of appetite etc.

Al-Jazm (Assertion): 

This means that one must be assertive in his intention. Thus, the intention should not be conditional such as one who, on the 29th of Sha'abān, makes an intention 'to fast tomorrow as Ramadan if it (tomorrow) is Ramadan, and as a supererogatory fasting, if otherwise.

At-Ta'yīn (Specification): 

This means that the type of fasting must be specified in the intention. In other words, the fast observer must make the intention distinguish his fast as being for Ramadan, and not for other than it like voluntary, expiation, redemption etc.

At-Tabyīt:

 This means that the intention must be made during the night i.e between sunset  and dawn. While some scholars opined that the intention should be renewed on a daily basis, others are of the opinion that the intention can be one-time such that a person makes his intention to fast (for 30 days) once at the beginning of Ramadan. However, if there is a cut-off in his fast (say, due to travel, illness, menstruation), he is required to renew his intention. 

2. Al-Imsāk (Abstinence): 

This is the second pillar of fasting in Ramadan. In addition to making the intention to fast, the fast observer must abstain from all fast-breakers from the dawn till sunset. The fast-breakers include eating, drinking and sexual association.