Allah Almighty Himself has commanded fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslim men and women. By fasting, people are blessed with nearness to Allah and piety.
Regarding fasting, Allah Almighty says, “O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety (self-purification).” (Surah Al-Baqarah: Verse 183)
It is necessary to eat Suhoor to fast in Ramadan. In a hadith, the beloved Prophet has urged to take Suhoor. He has also urged to break the fast at the right time.
Hazrat Amr Ibnul As (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The difference between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book, i.e. the Jews and Christians, is eating Suhoor.” (That is, Muslims eat Suhoor, while Jews and Christians do not eat Suhoor.) (Muslim, An-Nasa’i)
Just as Suhoor and Iftar are important in observing the fast, so too are the intentions for fasting and the supplications for breaking the fast. It is important to make the intention for fasting after eating Suhoor.
Intention to fast
I intend to fast tomorrow from the blessed month of Ramadan, an obligation prescribed by You, O Allah, so accept from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing
Arabic Intention: Nawaitu an ashumma ghadam min shahri ramazanal mubaraki fardallaqa, ya Allahu fataqabbal minni innika antas samiul alim.
Bengali Intention: O Allah! I intend to fast tomorrow from the holy month of Ramadan, an obligation prescribed by You. So accept from me (my fast, i.e., my abstinence from food and drink). Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
Recite Istighfar more before breaking the fast
Astaghfirullah al-Azeem – There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Ever-Sustaining, and I turn to Him in repentance. There is no power or might except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
Astaghfirullah al-Azeem, Allahi la ilaha illallahu al-Hayyul-Qayyum, wa atubu ilaihi la hawla wa la kuwata illa billahil-Aliyyul-Azeem.
As soon as it is time to break the fast, recite the dua and break the fast: Allahumma laka sumtu wa ala rizqika wa aftarutu birahmatika ya arhamar rahimin.
Meaning: O Allah! I have fasted for Your sake and I am breaking the fast with Your provision.
Reciting a prayer after thanking Allah
It was narrated from Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) broke his fast, he would say:
The sun has set, the veins have become wet, and the reward has become firm, if Allah wills
Pronunciation: ‘Jahabaz Jama’u; Wabtalatil U’ruku; Wa Shabatal Azhroo InshaAllah.’
Meaning: ‘(Through Iftar) thirst is quenched, the veins are moistened and, if Allah wills, the reward is established.’ (Abu Dawud, Mishkat)
May Allah grant the Muslim Ummah the ability to make intention after Sahur, repent and seek forgiveness before Iftar, recite dua during Iftar and recite dua after Iftar with thanksgiving. Ameen.
