The duties and obligations of a fasting person in Ramadan revolve around upholding the principles of fasting as prescribed by Islam. By fulfilling these duties and obligations, fasting individuals can fully immerse themselves in the spiritual essence of Ramadan and attain the manifold blessings and rewards associated with this blessed month.
Here are some key duties and obligations:
1. Intention (Niyyah): It is essential for a fasting person to have the intention of fasting each day of Ramadan. The intention should be sincere and made before the start of each day's fast, intending to observe the fast solely for the sake of pleasing Allah.
2. Abstaining from Food, Drink, and Intimacy: A fasting person must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in marital relations from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib). This includes avoiding anything that invalidates the fast, such as intentional vomiting or consuming anything that reaches the stomach.
3. Guarding the Tongue and Behavior: It is incumbent upon a fasting person to guard their speech and behavior throughout the day. This includes refraining from lying, backbiting, gossiping, arguing, or engaging in any other sinful behavior that may negate the spiritual benefits of fasting.
4. Observance of Prayers: Fasting individuals are obligated to perform the five daily prayers (Salah) punctually and with devotion. Additionally, they are encouraged to perform voluntary prayers, such as Taraweeh and Tahajjud, to maximize the spiritual rewards of Ramadan.
5. Recitation of Quran: Muslims are encouraged to increase their recitation and reflection upon the Quran during Ramadan. Fasting individuals should strive to recite and ponder over the verses of the Quran, seeking guidance and inspiration from its timeless teachings.
6. Charitable Acts: Giving charity (Sadaqah) and helping those in need are highly emphasized during Ramadan. Fasting individuals are encouraged to give generously to the less fortunate, whether through Zakat al-Fitr, feeding the hungry, or supporting charitable causes.
7. Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance: Ramadan is a time for seeking forgiveness and repentance from Allah for past sins. Fasting individuals should seize the opportunity to turn back to Allah with sincere repentance, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.
8. Maintaining Good Character and Conduct: Fasting individuals should strive to embody the values of kindness, patience, humility, and gratitude throughout Ramadan. They should treat others with respect, compassion, and empathy, fostering harmony and goodwill within their communities.
Sh. Ibn Bāz رحمه الله stated: "What is incumbent upon the fasting person is to be cautious of all that Allāh has made prohibited upon him and to safeguard everything that Allāh has made obligatory upon him. With this, his forgiveness and being saved from the Hellfire are hoped for, as well as the acceptance of his fasting and standing in prayer.
Fasting contains numerous benefits and much wisdom, which include self-purification and disciplining the soul, in addition to purifying it from bad character and repulsive traits such as lying, arrogance and miserliness. It also causes one to accustom himself upon noble character traits such as patience, forbearance, being generous and hospitable and striving against the self in that which is pleasing to Allāh and brings him closer to Him."
All praise is due to Allah we ask Him to bless the Prophet Sallah Llah Alei Wasalam and make us die on the path of Qur'an and Sunnah.