Interesting Islam

 

4: Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

What is Sawm/Fasting?

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint…”

(Quran 2:183)

Sawm is fasting during the whole Islamic month of Ramadan and is an actional method of showing the devotion of a Muslim to Allah. When Ramadan falls, depends on the sighting of the Moon.

Definition of Fasting:

The definition of fasting is given in the book called ‘The Book of Fasting and Itikaf:’ ‘Fasting, Rozaa or Sawm in Islam means to refrain from eating, drinking and cohabitation (sex), from “Subhe Sadiq” (pre-dawn) to sunset with the niyyat (intention) of observing fast.’

Similarly, the book called ‘Islamic Months Merits and Precepts’ phrases the definition as follows: ‘”Fast” means “to refrain from eating, drinking and having sexual intercourse throughout the day, right from the break of dawn up to sunset, with a clear intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah.”’

If any fasts are missed or broken for whatever reason, they must be kept after the month of Ramadan. There are also other penalties such as giving money or food to charity.

The fast must be kept sincerely and for the correct reasons, including avoiding sinning. The Prophet (s) said in a Hadeeth: ‘If one does not give up falsehoods in words and actions, Allah has no need of him giving up food and drink.’

Reasons for Fasting:

Fasting shows the devotion of Muslims to Allah and helps to strengthen the relationship. It also makes Muslims closer to Allah, due to stronger Taqwaa(intense awareness of Allah) and therefore Muslims tend to stray away from sinning, and try their utmost to heap rewards and become better Muslims.

Fasting allows Muslims to empathise with the less fortunate and helps them to develop their character and become disciplined in being able to control their desires. It is prescribed and a command of Allah.

The Quran was also revealed in the month of Ramadan.

Fasting is obligatory on:

1. Muslims

2. Adults (not people who are minors)

3. People who are aware that fasting is obligatory in the Islamic month of Ramadan. Those who do not know will not be sinning if they do not fast.

Valid reasons for not fasting:

1. Being on a journey

2. Sickness

3. Pregnancy

4. Suckling

5. Weakness and old age

6. Risk of life

7. Jihad

8. Unconsciousness

9. Insanity

10. Menstruating

Haram/Forbidden Fasts:

Fasting is forbidden on three occasions. Muslims cannot fast on the two major days of celebration: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha and thirdly, on the three days of ‘Aiyyam-e-Tashreek’ (11th, 12th and 13th of the Islamic month Zil-Hijjah).

A/N:

The following subtitles are all related to Fasting:

1. Prayers

2. Sehri

3. During Fasting

4. Iftaari

5. Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

6. Medical Benefits of Fasting

- However, the following subtitles are to do with the Islamic month of Ramadan:

1. Taraweeh Prayer

2. Itikaf

3. Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power

PRAYERS:

There is no defined prayer to pray at the time of starting or breaking the fast; therefore I am only including sample translations below. The prayers are originally in Arabic.

Prayer (Du’aa) when starting the fast/Prayer at time of Sehri

Translation: “O Allah, I keep fast for you, so forgive my future and past sins.”

Prayer (Du’aa) when breaking the fast/Prayer at time of Iftaari

Translation: “O Allah, for You have I fasted, in You I do believe, and on You do I rely and now I break this fast with food coming from You.”

Sehri:

Sehri is the time in the morning (pre-dawn) when Muslims partake in a meal. It was the practice (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (s) to wake up at this time and eat, before beginning the fast; therefore many Muslims follow his example.

The Prophet (s) said in a Hadeeth: ‘Verily, Allah and His Angels send mercy upon those who eat Sehri.

As mentioned in the Chapter about the second pillar of Islam: Salaah, the Call to Prayer (Adhaan) precedes each prayer. Therefore, Sehri ends when the Adhaan for Fajr prayer is called, and the fast begins. It is important for a Muslim to keep the intention for fasting, and so the prayer for starting the fast (above) is recited.

During Fasting:

Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.”

(Quran 2:184)

During fasting, Muslims must avoid sinning and constantly try to better themselves. Muslims are also advised to perform extra prayers and do Zhikr (remembrance of Allah) because the rewards for this are multiplied in the month of Ramadan.

If a person eats or drinks forgetfully, their fast is not broken, however they must not continue to eat or drink. Similarly, smoking or the deliberate entry of something into the throat, bloodstream or body breaks the fast.

Iftari:

Iftari is the time straight after sunset when the fast is broken. Muslims recite the prayer for breaking the fast, as above. It is the Sunnah/Practice of the Prophet (s) to break the fast with dates and water, before feasting. The general advice given to Muslims is to eat lightly, then perform the Maghrib, Isha and Taraweeh prayer, before eating again.

Taraweeh Prayer:

Every night in the month of Ramadan, at the time of Esha prayer, a special prayer is performed. It has twenty raka’ats(units of prayer) and is longer than any other daily prayer, and is known as the Taraweeh prayer. Often, Muslims complete the entire Quran during these prayers, by reciting a chapter on each unit of prayer.

Spiritual Benefits of Fasting:

1. Makes people generous: Muslims give a lot of Zakaah and Sadaqah (charity) during the month of Ramadan.

2. Muslims develop self-discipline and self-restraint/tolerance. The Prophet (s) said in a Hadeeth: ‘Fasting is not only to restrain from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly towards you, say (to them) ‘I am fasting; I am fasting.’ (Ibn Khuzaimah)

3. The feeling of Unity and Equality of the Ummah is developed, as every Muslim fasts at the same time, for the same reasons. As Mahboob Hussain Al-Azhari (graduate of Jamia al Karam and Al-Azhar University) states in ‘Al-Karam Muslim Magazine:’ ‘Fasting also has social benefits because it creates social unity, like the Hajj, where Muslims in every part of the world during the same month following the same rules and observances. It also creates a feeling of equality between people, because the same rules apply to all social and ethnic backgrounds, regardless of whether they are rich or poor, black or white etc.’

4. There are a lot of family gatherings, and exchanging of pleasantries during the month of Ramadan, so people are more generous in inviting others for Iftaari (breaking of the fast) and are more in touch with each other. This helps to keep families connected.

5. Muslims develop good character, stronger faith and an improved personality by trying their utmost to avoid sinning. For example, many Muslims boycott music, backbiting etc. during the month of Ramadan.

6. There is greater spiritual cleanliness, as well as physical. The rewards for normal acts of worship are doubled in the month of Ramadan and past sins are forgiven. The Prophet (s) said in a Hadeeth: ‘whoever fasts (the month of) Ramadan on the basis of faith and seeking (the pleasure of Allah), his past errors are forgiven.’ (Ahmad)

7. Muslims learn to be grateful for what they have – Greater Gratitude.

8. People learn to enjoy hardship, and develop patience and perseverance.

Medical Benefits of Fasting:

(Quoted from ‘The physical and spiritual benefits of fasting’ by Mahboob Hussain Al-Azhari, graduate of Jamia Al-Karam and Al-Azhar University)

Fasting is a guardian against stomach disease, provided that the person sticks to a strict dietary rule, which is: ‘eat after breaking the fast and avoid over-eating.’

‘…Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not wasters.’

(Quran 7:31)

It is a well-known fact that a large number of illnesses originate from the stomach especially stomach indigestion and obesity. This is why the Messenger of Allah (s) says: “The son of Adam will never fill a container with something worse and evil than his stomach. It will suffice him some morsels (food) that will keep him on his feet, otherwise, he should divide his stomach into three parts: one third for his food, the other for his drink and the other third for his breath.” (Ibn Habbaan)

An American physician published a report on fasting and its benefit saying: “It is mandatory on every person who is sick to restrain from food certain days in a year whether he be wealthy or poor. Because if bacteria can find food in abundance in the body, it will grow and multiply. But with fasting it becomes weak.” He then praised Islam by saying that it should be considered as the wisest religion, for as it mandated fasting it has mandated health care. He continued: “Indeed, Muhammad, who brought this religion, was the best physician who succeeded in his teachings, for he called for prevention before ailment. That is apparent in fasting and the nightly prayer (Taraweeh) that Muslims observe after breaking the fast every day in Ramadan. These physical acts contain big benefits in digesting food.” (Arkanul Arba’ah by Abul Hasan Nadwi).

Itikaf:

(Quoted from ‘Islamic Months Merits and Precepts’ by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani

Another unique form of worship in this month (i.e. Ramadan) is Itikaf, in which a person gives up all his activities, abandons his attachments, associations and routines and enters the mosque for a specific period.

Islam does not approve monasticism, which is based on the concept that Allah’s pleasure cannot be attained without abandoning all worldly activities forever. The Holy Quran has expressly condemned this concept. Islam has, instead, emphasized on earning one’s livelihood through permissible means, on one’s mingling with his family members and on discharging all the obligations towards his wife, children, relatives, neighbors and other acquaintances. But at the same time… sometimes one’s deep involvement in these activities slows down his spiritual progress.

In order to repair this loss, a Muslim is required to spare a time in which he separates himself from the normal routine of worldly activities and to sit in seclusion, devoting his heart and soul for pure spiritual acts. Itikaf is a bountiful way to carry out this objective. In Itikaf one leaves his home and family and undertakes to remain in the mosque for a limited period. This unique mode of worship can be done any time in the year. However, it has been declared as a Sunnah… (Practice of the Prophet (s))… in the last ten days of Ramadan, because Ramadan is the most suitable time to carry out this worship.

Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power

The Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) holds the utmost importance in Islam. The reason for this is because this was the night that the first five verses of the Quran (Surah Al-Alaq 1-5) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (s):

Proclaim! (Or read!) In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created- Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, - He Who taught (the use of) the pen, - Taught man that which he knew not.”

(Quran 96:1-5)

Allah explains the significance of The Night of Power in a chapter in the Quran entitled Surah Al-Qadr (Power/Fate):

We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace! ...This until the rise of morn!”

(Quran: Chapter 97)

Aisha (R.A.), the wife of the Prophet (s) related in a hadeeth that Muhammad (s) had said: “Seek the night of Power in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.”

Therefore, Muslims pray intensively on the odd five days of the last ten days of Ramadan (i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th) and seek forgiveness for previous sins. There is no fixed method of praying, so one can perform extra Salaah(Muslim daily prayers), do Zhikr (remembrance of Allah), recite the Quran or give to charity.

End of Ramadan Reward: Eid-ul-Fitr

Throughout the whole year, Muslims celebrate on two major occasions: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. Eid literally means ‘happiness’ and fitr means ‘to break the fast’. Therefore, as the month of Ramadan ends, Muslims are rewarded for their perseverance and hardships by the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, which lasts for three days. Generally, there is a special prayer and Muslims tend to exchange gifts and pleasantries by visiting relatives and friends. It is the Sunnah of the Prophet (s) to apply Mehndi (Hina/Henna) and so, on Eid, many people apply it as a form of skin decoration.

Muslims also give to charity (Sadaqaatul Fitr) as part of the celebration to ensure that the less fortunate are not forgotten and can also participate on the joyous occasion. Again, as with many other things, Muslims are reminded that no matter what their status, they are Muslims, and no one is superior or inferior to another, except for in terms of piety. Unity and brotherhood is also promoted. What makes the celebration of Eid unique is the fact that it isn’t a party. It’s not about playing music the loudest or dancing or going out. It’s about celebrating in a humble manner and actually cherishing the occasion.