By Ishola Haroon Balogun

Praise be to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We turn to Him in repentance. We seek Allah’s protection from the evils of our souls and our bad deeds.

Fasting is an action that goes beyond controlling the physical appetites. A shield for the heart, it is an effective means of seeking nearness to Allah and purifying the soul. As  we discussed yesterday, we must be full of remembrance of Allah at all time.  That is only when we can get the full reward and gain nearness to Allah.

Avoid overeating and concentrate on remembrance of Allah

Many spend most time in eating when breaking fast (iftar) to make up for what have been missed during the day to the detriment of giving enough time for the worship and remembering of Allah.

Ramadan should rather be used as an opportunity of getting closer to Allah, seeking His forgiveness and attracting His blessings at any time in the month.

Concentration on food throughout the evening is not a good use of time and ibadah in the month.

Of what use is the fast, if at the time of breaking it not only makes up for all one has missed during the day, but perhaps also indulges in a variety of extra foods?

It has even become the custom to stock up for Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuff, so that more is consumed during the time than in several other months put together.

The object of fasting is to experience hunger, check desire, to reinforce the soul in piety. If you have more food, give to those who do not have, make extra effort by locating them and make them happy for having something to break fast.

If the stomach is starved from morning till evening, so that its appetite is aroused and its craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is increased and its force exaggerated; passions are activated which would have laid dormant under normal conditions.

Look up to Allah with fear (taqwa)
After the fast has been broken, the heart should swing to Allah, in supplication on forgiveness and rahma. Embark on supererogatory prayers, tahjud and recitation of the Holy Quran.
May Allah accept it as acts of Ibaadah, forgive us and bless us abundantly.

Special Dua
Say this dua in the night Allahumma Rabba Shahri Ramadan Ladhi Anzalta fihil-Qur-aana Waftarad’ta Alaa I’baadika Feehil-S’iyaama. Salli Alaa Muh’ammadin Wa aali Muhammad Warzuqni H’ajja Baytikal-H’araam Fee Aamee Haad’aa Wa fi kulli Aami-waghfir li tilkal zunuubal-azaam.  Fa-innahu laa yaghfiruhaa Ghayruka Yaa Ar amah Rahimin.   Al-Fatiha…, Amin, Amin, Amin, Amin, Amin, Amin, Amin.

O Allah, the Lord, (this is) the month of Ramadan, in it Thou revealed the Holy Quran, and in it made obligatory “fasting” upon Thy servants, send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, and provide us with the means to go to Thy Sacred House for “Hajj” this year and every year; and in this month forgive my grave sins.Verily, other than Thee, no one can liberate (me) from its consequences, Oh the Beneficent and Compassionate.