Secrets of the Quran: Jurisprudence and the Power of Dua in Surah Al-Baqarah (186-187)

In the heart of the verses regarding Ramadan, Allah (SWT) transitions from the rules of fasting to the intimate act of Dua (supplication). Scholars like Ibn Kathir note that placing the verse about prayer in the middle of fasting regulations is a profound encouragement: it urges the believer to be diligent in supplication after completing the fast, and especially at the moment of breaking it (Iftar).

The Golden Hour: Supplication at Iftar

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized the sanctity of the moment we break our fast. As narrated in various Hadith:

"Indeed, for the fasting person at the time of breaking his fast, there is a supplication that is not rejected." (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Abdullah bin Amr (RA) used to gather his family at Iftar and pray:

"O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which encompasses all things, to forgive my sins." Furthermore, the Prophet (ﷺ) identified three people whose prayers are never turned away:

A just leader.
The fasting person until they break their fast.
The supplication of the oppressed.

Key Legal Rulings from Verse 187

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 187, provides the framework for the "Dos and Don'ts" of fasting. Here are 12 essential takeaways:

1. Marital Relations at Night

The verse confirms that marital relations are permissible during the nights of Ramadan but strictly forbidden during the day. This was a concession (Rukhshah) from Allah, as intimacy was previously forbidden after one had slept following Iftar.

2. The Boundaries of the Fast

Fasting requires abstaining from all invalidators from the break of dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib).

The Necessity of Niyyah (Intention): The majority (Jumhur) of scholars hold that the intention must be made before Fajr. As fasting is an act of worship, it is not valid without a conscious intention in the heart.

3. State of Ritual Impurity (Junub)

If dawn breaks while a person is in a state of major ritual impurity (Junub), their fast is still valid. While they must perform a ritual bath (Ghusl) to pray the morning prayer, the impurity does not invalidate the fast itself.

4. Post-Menstrual Rulings

If a woman’s menstruation ends before Fajr, she must fast even if she hasn't performed Ghusl until after sunrise. If she is unsure whether she became pure before or after dawn, she should fast out of precaution (Ihtiyat) and make it up later, without any penalty (Kaffarat).

5. Cupping (Hajama)

Based on the Prophet's (ﷺ) practice during the Farewell Pilgrimage, cupping does not break the fast. This ruling supersedes earlier prohibitions.

6. Mistaken Timing

If someone breaks their fast thinking the sun has set (e.g., due to heavy clouds), but the sun reappears, the majority of scholars require them to make up that day (Qadha).

7. The Prohibition of Continuous Fasting (Wishal)

The Quranic command to "complete the fast until the night" implies that the night is the end of the fast. Consequently, Wishal (fasting for two or more days without eating at night) is prohibited or highly disliked (Makruh), as it contradicts the spirit of the Quran and mimics the practices of previous nations.

8. The Sunnah of Iftar

It is highly recommended to break the fast with fresh dates (Rutab). If unavailable, dried dates (Tamr), and failing that, a few sips of water.

9. The Six Days of Shawwal

Fasting six days in the month following Ramadan (Shawwal) is a beloved Sunnah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that doing so is equivalent to fasting for an entire year.

10. I’tikaf and Boundaries

During I’tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque), marital relations are strictly forbidden. While casual physical touch without desire (like combing hair) is permissible, any act of passion is prohibited and, in some schools of thought, invalidates the retreat.

11. Defining I’tikaf

Linguistically, I’tikaf means "to remain." Sharia defines it as a continuous stay in the mosque for the purpose of worship, following specific conditions.

12. Respecting the Limits (Hudud) of Allah

Allah refers to these laws as Hudud Allah (The Boundaries of Allah). Like a fence, these limits prevent us from wandering into sin and keep us safe within the sanctuary of obedience. This is why criminal punishments are also called Hudud—they act as a deterrent to protect society and the individual.

Reflection

Ramadan is not just about the stomach; it is about the heart and the discipline of the soul. By respecting the Hudud set by Allah and utilizing the sacred moments of Iftar for Dua, we transform a physical challenge into a spiritual triumph.

Wallahu A'lam (And Allah knows best).

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