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Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristicof Islam. Literally
defined, fasting means to abstain"completely" from foods, drinks,
intimateintercourse and smoking, before the break of thedawn till sunset, during
the entire month of Ramadan,the ninth month of the Islamic year. But if we
restrictthe meaning of the Islamic Fasting to this literalsense, we would be
sadly mistaken.
WhenIslam introduced this matchless institution, itplanted an ever-growing tree
of infinite virtueand invaluable products. Here is an explanationof the
spiritual meaning of the Islamic Fasting:
Itteaches man the principle of sincere Love: becausewhen he observes Fasting he
does it out of deeplove for God. And the man who loves God truly isa man who
really knows what love is.
Itequips man with a creative sense of hope and anoptimistic outlook on life;
because when he fastshe is hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace
Itequips man with a creative sense of hope and anoptimistic outlook on life;
because when he fastshe is hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace
Itcultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience;because the fasting person
keeps his fast in secretas well as in public. In fasting, especially, thereis no
mundane authority to check man's behavioror compel him to observe fasting. He
keeps it toplease God and satisfy his own conscience by beingfaithful in secret
and in public. There is no betterway to cultivate a sound conscience in man.
Itindoctrinates man in patience and selflessness,as through fasting, he feels
the pains of deprivationbut he endures them patiently
Itis
an effective lesson in applied moderation andwillpower.
Fastingalso provides man with a transparent soul, a clearmind and a light body.
Itshows man a new way of wise savings and sound budgeting
Itenables man to master the art of Mature Adaptability.We can easily understand
the point once we realizethat fasting makes man change the entire courseof his
daily life.
Itgrounds man in discipline and healthy survival
Itoriginates in man the real spirit of social belonging,unity and brotherhood,
of equality before God aswell as before the law.
Itis
a Godly prescription for self-reassurance andself-control.
Now,someone may be tempted to raise the objection: Ifthis is the case with the
Islamic institution offasting, and if this is the picture of Islam inthis
aspect, why are the Muslims not living in autopia? To such an objection we can
only say thatMuslims have lived in and enjoyed a utopia in acertain epoch of
their history. The realizationof that utopia was a phenomenon of a unique
achievementin the history of man. We say unique, because noreligion or social
system other than Islam has everbeen able to realize its ideals in reality.
Thereason why the Islamic utopia is not being establishednowadays is manifold
and easily explicable. Butto restrict our discussion to the institution
offasting we may say that some Muslims, unfortunatelyfor them, do not observe
the fast or, at best, adoptthe attitude of indifference. On the other hand,some
of those who observe it do not realize itstrue meaning and, as a result, derive
very littlebenefit out of it or, in fact, no benefit at all.That is why some
Muslims today, do not enjoy thereal privileges of fasting.
Ithas already been indicated that the period of obligatoryfasting is the month
of Ramadan. The daily periodof observance starts before the break of the dawnant
ends immediately after sunset. Normally thereare accurate calendars to toll the
exact time, butin the absence of such facilities one should consultone's watch
and the sun's positions, together withthe local newspapers, weather bureau, etc.
FastingRamadan is obligatory on every responsible and fitMuslim. But there are
other times when it is recommendedto make voluntary fasting, after the
Traditionsof Prophet Muhammad. Among these times are Mondaysand Thursdays of
every week, a few days of eachmonth in the two months heralding the coming
ofRamadan, i.e., Rajab and Sha'ban, six days afterRamadan following the 'Eid-ul-Fitr
Day. Besides,it is always compensating to fast any day of anymonth of the year,
except the 'Eid Days and Fridayswhen no Muslim should fast.
However,we may repeat that the only obligatory fasting isthat of Ramadan - which
may be 29 or 30 days, dependingon the moon's positions. This is a pillar of
Islam,and any failure to observe it without reasonableexcuses is a grave sin in
the sight of God.
WhoMust Fast?
FastingRamadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male orfemale, who has these
qualifications:
Tobe
mentally and physically fit, which means to besane and able.
Tobe
of full age, the age of puberty and discretion,which is normally about fourteen.
Children underthis age should be encouraged to start this goodpractice on easy
levels, so when they reach theage of puberty they will be mentally and
physicallyprepared to observe fasting.
Tobe
present at one's permanent settlement, your hometown, one's farm, and one's
business premises, etc.This means not to be on a journey of about fiftymiles or
more
Tobe
fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to causeyou any harm, physical or
mental, other than thenormal reactions to hunger, thirst, etc.
ExemptionFrom Fasting
Thesesaid qualifications exclude the following categories:
Childrenunder the age of puberty and discretion.
Insanepeople who are unaccountable for their deeds. Peopleof these two
categories are exempted from the dutyof fist, and no compensation or any other
substituteis enjoined on them.
Menand women who are too old and feeble to undertakethe obligation of fast and
bear its hardships. Suchpeople are exempted from this duty, but they mustoffer,
at least, one needy poor Muslim an averagefull meal or its value per person per
day.
Sickpeople whose health is likely to be severely affectedby the observance of
fast. They may postpone thefast, as long as they are sick, to a later dateand
make up for it, a day for a day.
Travelersmay break the fast temporarily during their travelonly and make up for
it in later days, a day fora day
Pregnantwomen and women breast-feeding their children mayalso break the fast, if
its observance is likelyto endanger their own health or that of their
infants.But they must make up for the fast at a delayedtime, a day for a day.
Womenin the -period of menstruation (of a maximum often days or of confinement
(of a maximum of fortydays).; They must postpone the fast till recoveryand then
make up for it, a day for a day.
Itshould be understood that here, like in all otherIslamic undertakings, the
intention must be madeclear that this action is undertaken in obedienceto God,
in response to His command and out of loveof Him.
Thefast of any day of Ramadan becomes void by intentionaleating or drinking or
smoking or indulgence in anyintimate intercourse, and by allowing anything
toenter through the mouth into the interior partsof the body. And if this is
done deliberately withoutany lawful reason, this is a major sin which
onlyrenewed repentance can expiate.
Ifanyone, through forgetfulness, does something thatwould ordinarily break the
fast, 0a observance isnot nullified, and his fast stands valid, providedhe stops
doing that thing the moment he realizeswhat he is doing.
Oncompletion of the fast of Ramadan, the special charityknown as Sadagat-ul-Fitr
(charity of ' Fast-breaking)must be distributed before 'Eid-ul-Fitr
(approximately),seven dollars per head.
GeneralRecommendations
Itis
strongly recommended by Prophet Muhammad to observethese practices especially
during Ramadan:
Tohave a light meal before the break of the dawn,known as Suhoor.
Toeat a few dates or start breaking the fast by plainwater right after sunset,
saying this prayer Allahhumma laka sumna, wa 'ala rizqika aftarna. (O God!for
Your sake have we fasted and now we break thefast with the food You have given
us).
Tomake your meals as light as possible because, asthe Prophet put it, the worst
thing man can fillis his stomach.
Toobserve the supererogatory prayer known as Taraweeh.
Toexchange social visits and intensify humanitarianservices.
Toincrease the study ant recitation of the Qur'an.
Toexert the utmost in patience ant humbleness.
Tobe
extraordinarily cautious in using one's senses,one's mind and, especially, the
tongue; to abstainfrom careless gossip and avoid all suspicious motions.
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