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Fasting in the month of Ramadan is the third pillar of
Islam. It is mandatory upon all healthy adult Muslims. The
Arabic word for fasting is 'sawm which literally means 'to
abstain'. When fasting, one has to abstain from food, drink,
smoking, intercourse, etc. from dawn to dusk.
These prohibitions, however, are lifted from sunset to dawn. The
ultimate goal of fasting in Islam is to achieve piety or taqwa,
that is a state of constant awareness of Almighty Allah.
Believers who enjoy taqwa constantly think on how to please
Allah by doing good and avoiding evil. They are promised great
rewards in the Hereafter.
The revelation that made fasting compulsory upon Muslims is
contained in the following verse:
"O you who believe! Fasting is ordained
for you as it was ordained for those before you, that you may be
pious." [Al-Baqarah: 183]
Allah Almighty did not impose fasting to burden His servants.
Islam has set guidelines on those upon whom fasting is
mandatory. Travelers and those who fall ill may break their
fasts, but they must make up for the days they missed during the
other months of the year. Women in menstruation and those
bleeding after childbirth are not permitted to fast, and they
must make up for the days they have missed.
People with chronic illnesses should feed a poor person (fidyah)
for each day that they miss, and they do not have to make up
with fasting at another time. Scholars unanimously agree that
pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, who fear for
their own health or the health of their children, may forego
fasting as long as their conditions persist.
Fasting is a form of ibaadah (worship) that is entirely private.
Only Almighty Allah alone knows whether His servant is truly
fasting, and He promises great rewards for those who observe
their fast during Ramadan.
Sahl narrated that the Prophet SAW said:
"There is a gate in Paradise called
Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on
the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through
it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe
fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter
through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody
will enter through it." [Bukhari]
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is determined by two ways: that
is, when the new moon is sighted on the 29th evening of Sha'baan;
failing which when the preceding month of Sha'baan completes its
full 30-day cycle.
Ibn Omar narrated that he heard the Prophet SAW say:
"When you see the crescent (of the month
of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of
the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast
(and you can't see it) then regard the crescent (month) of
Ramadan (as of 30 days)". [Bukhari]
The Holy Qur'an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad SAW at
night in the month of Ramazan. This night is described in the
Qur'an {Chapter 97: Al-Qadr (The Night of Power)} as
Lailatul-Qadr or Lailatul Mubaarak which means the Night of
Power or the Night of Blessing respectively. The relevant
chapter (surah) specifically states that the reward for one good
deed performed on this night is equivalent to that of 1,000
months
Allah Almighty practically invites Muslims to benefit from this
special night of all nights. Generally, scholars are of the
opinion that Lailatul-Qadar occurs in the last ten days of
Ramadan, more so on one of the odd dates (i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27
and 29th).
As such a Muslim is expected to increase his level of ibaadah,
recite the Holy Qur'an, remember Allah and do good deeds on
those days. Many opt for seclusion (etikaf) in the neighborhood
mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Islam recommends parents to teach their children to fast when
they are about seven years old, but only if they are able to.
The child will be rewarded for fasting, and the parents will be
rewarded for bringing him up properly and guiding him to do
well. It has been reported that Al-Rubay' bint Mu'awwidh (r.a.)
said:
"We used to make our children fast, and
we would make them a toy made out of wool. If any one of them
started to cry for food, we would give them that toy to play
with until it was time to break the fast." [Bukhari]
(From VisionIslam) |
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