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Fasting in Islam
Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual
characteristic of Islam. Literally defined, fasting
means to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks,
intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of
the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. But if we
restrict the meaning of the Islamic Fasting to this
literal sense, we would be sadly mistaken.
When Islam introduced this matchless institution,
it planted an ever-growing tree of infinite virtue and
invaluable products. Here is an explanation of the
spiritual meaning of the Islamic Fasting:
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It teaches man the principle of sincere Love:
because when he observes Fasting he does it out of
deep love for God. And the man who loves God truly is
a man who really knows what love is.
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It equips man with a creative sense of hope and
an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts
he is hoping to please God and is seeking His
Grace
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It equips man with a creative sense of hope and
an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts
he is hoping to please God and is seeking His
Grace
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It cultivates in man a vigilant and sound
conscience; because the fasting person keeps his fast
in secret as well as in public. In fasting,
especially, there is no mundane authority to check
man's behavior or compel him to observe fasting. He
keeps it to please God and satisfy his own conscience
by being faithful in secret and in public. There is no
better way to cultivate a sound conscience in man.
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It indoctrinates man in patience and
selflessness, as through fasting, he feels the pains
of deprivation but he endures them
patiently
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It is an effective lesson in applied moderation
and willpower.
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Fasting also provides man with a transparent
soul, a clear mind and a light body.
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It shows man a new way of wise savings and
sound budgeting
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It enables man to master the art of Mature
Adaptability. We can easily understand the point once
we realize that fasting makes man change the entire
course of his daily life.
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It grounds man in discipline and healthy
survival
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It originates in man the real spirit of social
belonging, unity and brotherhood, of equality before
God as well as before the law.
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It is a Godly prescription for self-reassurance
and self-control.
Now, someone may be tempted to raise the
objection: If this is the case with the Islamic
institution of fasting, and if this is the picture of
Islam in this aspect, why are the Muslims not living in
a utopia? To such an objection we can only say that
Muslims have lived in and enjoyed a utopia in a certain
epoch of their history. The realization of that utopia
was a phenomenon of a unique achievement in the history
of man. We say unique, because no religion or social
system other than Islam has ever been able to realize
its ideals in reality.
The reason why the Islamic utopia is not being
established nowadays is manifold and easily explicable.
But to restrict our discussion to the institution of
fasting we may say that some Muslims, unfortunately for
them, do not observe the fast or, at best, adopt the
attitude of indifference. On the other hand, some of
those who observe it do not realize its true meaning
and, as a result, derive very little benefit out of it
or, in fact, no benefit at all. That is why some Muslims
today, do not enjoy the real privileges of
fasting.
It has already been indicated that the period of
obligatory fasting is the month of Ramadan. The daily
period of observance starts before the break of the dawn
ant ends immediately after sunset. Normally there are
accurate calendars to toll the exact time, but in the
absence of such facilities one should consult one's
watch and the sun's positions, together with the local
newspapers, weather bureau, etc.
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory on every
responsible and fit Muslim. But there are other times
when it is recommended to make voluntary fasting, after
the Traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Among these times
are Mondays and Thursdays of every week, a few days of
each month in the two months heralding the coming of
Ramadan, i.e., Rajab and Sha'ban, six days after Ramadan
following the 'Eid-ul-Fitr Day. Besides, it is always
compensating to fast any day of any month of the year,
except the 'Eid Days and Fridays when no Muslim should
fast.
However, we may repeat that the only obligatory
fasting is that of Ramadan - which may be 29 or 30 days,
depending on the moon's positions. This is a pillar of
Islam, and any failure to observe it without reasonable
excuses is a grave sin in the sight of God.
Who Must Fast?
Fasting Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim,
male or female, who has these qualifications:
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To be mentally and physically fit, which means
to be sane and able.
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To be of full age, the age of puberty and
discretion, which is normally about fourteen. Children
under this age should be encouraged to start this good
practice on easy levels, so when they reach the age of
puberty they will be mentally and physically prepared
to observe fasting.
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To be present at one's permanent settlement,
your home town, one's farm, and one's business
premises, etc. This means not to be on a journey of
about fifty miles or more
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To be fairly certain that fasting is unlikely
to cause you any harm, physical or mental, other than
the normal reactions to hunger, thirst, etc.
Exemption From Fasting
These said qualifications exclude the following
categories:
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Children under the age of puberty and
discretion.
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Insane people who are unaccountable for their
deeds. People of these two categories are exempted
from the duty of fist, and no compensation or any
other substitute is enjoined on them.
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Men and women who are too old and feeble to
undertake the obligation of fast and bear its
hardships. Such people are exempted from this duty,
but they must offer, at least, one needy poor Muslim
an average full meal or its value per person per day.
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Sick people whose health is likely to be
severely affected by the observance of fast. They may
postpone the fast, as long as they are sick, to a
later date and make up for it, a day for a day.
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Travelers may break the fast temporarily during
their travel only and make up for it in later days, a
day for a day
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Pregnant women and women breast-feeding their
children may also break the fast, if its observance is
likely to endanger their own health or that of their
infants. But they must make up for the fast at a
delayed time, a day for a day.
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Women in the -period of menstruation (of a
maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of
forty days).; They must postpone the fast till
recovery and then make up for it, a day for a day.
It should be understood that here, like in all
other Islamic undertakings, the intention must be made
clear that this action is undertaken in obedience to
God, in response to His command and out of love of Him.
The fast of any day of Ramadan becomes void by
intentional eating or drinking or smoking or indulgence
in any intimate intercourse, and by allowing anything to
enter through the mouth into the interior parts of the
body. And if this is done deliberately without any
lawful reason, this is a major sin which only renewed
repentance can expiate.
If anyone, through forgetfulness, does something
that would ordinarily break the fast, 0a observance is
not nullified, and his fast stands valid, provided he
stops doing that thing the moment he realizes what he is
doing.
On completion of the fast of Ramadan, the special
charity known as Sadagat-ul-Fitr (charity of '
Fast-breaking) must be distributed before 'Eid-ul-Fitr
(approximately), seven dollars per head.
General Recommendations
It is strongly recommended by Prophet Muhammad to
observe these practices especially during Ramadan:
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To have a light meal before the break of the
dawn, known as Suhoor.
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To eat a few dates or start breaking the fast
by plain water right after sunset, saying this prayer
Allah humma laka sumna, wa 'ala rizqika aftarna. (O
God! for Your sake have we fasted and now we break the
fast with the food You have given us).
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To make your meals as light as possible
because, as the Prophet put it, the worst thing man
can fill is his stomach.
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To observe the supererogatory prayer known as
Taraweeh.
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To exchange social visits and intensify
humanitarian services.
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To increase the study ant recitation of the
Qur'an.
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To exert the utmost in patience ant humbleness.
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To be extraordinarily cautious in using one's
senses, one's mind and, especially, the tongue; to
abstain from careless gossip and avoid all suspicious
motions.
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