Al Kareem Mosque

What is Siyam ( الصيام)

Siyam ( الصيام) is an Arabic word. Its meaning is to fast. There are certain rules for fasting in Islam which are as follows.
1. One has to make intention that I am fasting today for the sake of Allah jalla jalaaluhu. You will specify which fasting you are performing. Such as if you perform the fasting of the Ramadan then you will make intention that you are performing the fasting of the Ramadan for the sake of Allahu tawala.
2. One has to refrain himself from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from the Subah sadiq till sunset.
Fasting during Ramadan is compulsory for every adult muslim. If a traveler or a sick person fail to perform the fasting of Ramadan, he can fulfil this fasting afer Ramadan when the traveler returns at home and when a sick person heals.

Fasting is prohibitted 5 specific days in a year:

Eid al-Adha and three days following it
Eid al-Fitr
After the fasting of Ramadan one can perform fasting except the above 5 forbidden days that will be considered as additional ( نفل ) fasting.

The persons who fast will enter into the heaven through the gate named Rayyan:

عَنْ سَهْلِ بنِ سَعدٍ رَضِيَ الله عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: (إِنَّ فِي الجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ، يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ، لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ، يُقَالُ: أَيْنَ الصَّائِمُونَ؟ فَيَقُومُونَ لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ، فَإِذَا دَخَلُوا أُغْلِقَ فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ)
رواه البخاري ومسلم
Meaning:
On the authority of Sahl ibn Sa'd, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)said: "Indeed, in Paradise there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, through which those who fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one will enter through it except them. It will be said, 'Where are those who fast?' Then they will stand, and no one will enter through it except them. When they have entered, it will be closed and no one will enter through it.
Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Having Sahoor is a way to get blessings and rewards

قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهُ صَلَّي اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسَحَّرُوْا فَاِنَّ قِي السَّحُوْرِ بَرَكَة – رواه البخاري و مسلم

The messenger of Allah jalla jalaaluhu said, Have sahoor, because there are blessings in having sahoor.
- Bukhari and Muslim

Annotation:
1. For performing fasting to have food before subah sadiq is called Sahoor. The best time to have sahoor is the last one-sixth part of the night. To take sahoor is sunnah. If a person takes some food or drinks as sahoor for performing fasting, he will get the blessings and rewards of having sahoor. If somebody performs fasting without having sahoor, his fasting will be perfect and accepted. But he will be deprived of the rewards and blessings of having sahoor.
2. Subah Sadiq: It is an Arabic word. Subah Sadiq (Pre-dawn) is when the time of Fajr enters. The end time of Sahoor is at the time of Subah Sadiq. When Subah sadiq appears eating and drinking is not allowed as you want to fast. As a precaution, all eating must stop at least 5 minutes before subah sadiq.
3. Sahoor: It is an Arabic word. The food eaten for fasting before Subah sadiq is called sahoor.