The work categorizes the spiritual levels of fasting into three tiers: the common folk, who restrain the stomach and private parts; the elite, who additionally protect their entire body from sinful acts; and the super elite, who abstain from everything that is not for the sake of Allah. It establishes that the intention for a fast may be made at any time from sunset until Zahwa e Kubra, which is defined as the midday stipulated by Shariah. While the intention is fundamentally an act of the heart, it is considered desirable to express it audibly. The text specifies the exact Arabic phrases to be used for intentions made at night or during the day. It also addresses the necessity of making a fresh intention for every individual day of Ramadan, as a single intention for the entire month is insufficient.

Key topics & takeaways

Levels of Fasting

• Common folk fasting — this level requires the individual to abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual intimacy (page 6)
• Elite fasting — this level requires the individual to abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual intimacy, while also protecting the ears, eyes, tongue, hands, feet, and entire body from sin (page 6)
• Super elite fasting — this level requires the individual to abstain from everything that is not for the sake of Allah and to direct their attention solely toward Him (page 7)

Intention (Niyyat)

• Timeframe for intention — the valid period for making an intention begins after sunset and concludes at Zahwa e Kubra (page 7)
• Audible intention — while it is not a condition to state the intention with the tongue, doing so is considered Mustahab (page 7)
• Knowledge of Ramadan — if a person knows it is Ramadan but makes neither an intention to fast nor an intention not to fast, the fast is not valid (page 9)
• Eating after intention — if an individual makes an intention at night and subsequently eats or drinks during that same night, the initial intention remains valid and does not need to be repeated (page 9)
• Purity from Haidh or Nifaas — if a woman makes an intention at night and becomes pure from Haidh or Nifaas before True Dawn, her fast is valid (page 9)
• Sehri as intention — eating Sehri is considered an intention in itself, provided the person does not simultaneously intend not to fast (page 10)
• Daily requirement — a new, fresh intention must be made for every individual day of Ramadan, as an intention for the entire month is only valid for the first day (page 10)

Compensation and Missed Fasts

• Intentional breaking of a fast — a person who intentionally breaks a Ramadan fast is liable for the Qaza of that day and must perform Kaffarah, which consists of sixty continuous fasts (page 10)
• Missed fasts due to Haidh or Nifaas — women are required to make up fasts missed due to Haidh or Nifaas after the month of Ramadan, and failure to do so is considered a sin (page 10)
• Missed fasts due to illness — individuals who miss fasts due to a valid illness must perform Qaza for those days once they have recovered and are physically able to fast (page 11)