Fasting: Definition of Fasting
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Ayatullah Sistani
‘Fasting’ means that one abstains from eight things – which will be mentioned later – from the start of the time of morning (ṣubḥ) prayers[1] until the time of maghrib,[2] in humility and obedience to the Lord of the worlds.
-Ayatullah Sistani, Practical Laws of Islam, Fasting (Sawm)
1
In the original work, the term ‘morning call to prayer (adhān)’ is used, which practically speaking means the start of the time of the ṣubḥ prayer. The legal definition of ṣubḥ is given in Ruling 728.