The Meaning Of Fasting And The Wisdom Behind It
In its religious sense, the word fasting denotes abstinence from all fast-invalidating matters (eating, drinking and sexual intercourse) from dawn till sunset, as a devotional ritual that has with it the intention of fasting.
we cannot comprehend the wisdom of Allaah The Almighty; He Says (what means):
{…And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little."}
[Quran 17:85]
The greatest wisdom behind fasting is cultivating in the hearts of Muslims Taqwa (piety and righteousness). Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.}
[Quran 2:183]
Taqwa (piety and righteousness) is the commandment of Allah The Exalted to all mankind, - the former and the latter. Ibn Mas‘ood (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) defined Taqwa as, "…The right of Allah The Exalted to be obeyed and never disobeyed; to be remembered and never forgotten; and to be thanked and not shown ingratitude."
Talq Ibn Habeeb (Rehmat Allah) defined Taqwa as, "…To act in obedience to Allah The Exalted, with a light from Him, hoping for His reward and to avoid and give up disobeying Allah The Almighty with a light from Him, fearing His punishment."
Fasting is one of the greatest acts of worship. It instills piety and righteousness in the heart and the soul, urging one to comply with the divine commands and avoid prohibitions. Fasting cultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience. In fasting, especially, there is no mundane authority to check man's behavior or compel him to observe fasting.
In this regard, in a Hadeeth Qudsi (Sacred Hadeeth) narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) said that Allaah The Exalted Says: "Every deed of the human being is for himself except for fasting, it is for Me and I reward it.
(then Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said)Fasting is a shield (from the Fire and from committing sins). If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and
quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting, I am fasting.’ By Him in whose hand the soul of Muhammad is, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allaah than the scent of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person: one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be delighted because of (reward he attained for) his fasting." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Fasting enables man to master the art of self-discipline and self-restraint. Itteaches man to curb the desires and discipline the ego so that one can become submissive to the truth and kind and thoughtful towards all creatures.
Fasting also establishes in man the real spirit of solidarity; it imbues rich people, who are showered with the blessings of Allah, with the genuine virtue of identifying with their fellow Muslims who are less fortunate and who are hungry not only during the days of Ramadan, but all year long, and some of them may even die of starvation! This cultivates in tender-hearted souls the spirit of charity and giving. Moreover, the health benefits of fasting are no secret. How great is the wisdom of Allah The Exalted! Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Does He who
created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?} [Quran 67:14]
The pillars of fasting:
The first pillar: intention
Intention is a pillar of all acts of worship in Islam and the abode of the intention is the heart; Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakaah [obligatory charity]. And that is the correct religion.} [Quran 98:5]
‘Hazrat Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (Ali Razi Allah Tala Anhu) reported that the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Indeed, actions are (rewarded) by intentions, and every person is judged according to what he intended…" [Al-Bukhaari]
The majority of Muslim jurists believe that a fasting person should have the intention to fast from the preceding night in case of obligatory fasting. Making the intention at night to fast the following day means to have the intention to fast in one’s heart during the night preceding the fasting day, i.e. after sunset and before the dawn of the following day. Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa’i, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah Rehmatul Allah reported on the authority of Hafsah Bint ‘Hazrat Umar (Razi Allah Tala Anhu)with a Saheeh (authentic) chain of narrators that the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
"Whoever does not resolve on fasting before dawn, his fasting is invalid."
[Abu Daawood]
However, this pertains to obligatory fasting. It is not mandatory to have the intention during at preceding night for the voluntary fast. It is permissible for a fasting person to intend voluntary fasting in the morning (after the fast has begun) if he has not yet consumed anything. To support this, we have Hazrat‘Aa’ishah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu)who said that one day the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) visited her and asked: "Do you have anything (to eat)?" When she replied in the negative, he said: "Then, I will be fasting." Then Hazrat‘Aa’ishah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) said that he came another day and she said, "Messenger of Allah, Hays (a mixture of dates, ghee and dried curd) has been offered to us as a gift." Thereupon, Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Show it to me; I had been fasting since morning." He then ate it. [Muslim]
The first Hadeeth shows that the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) woke up without having the intention to fast then made the intention during the day. This ruling only applies
A question arises in this respect as to whether making the intention on the first day of Ramadan is enough for fasting the whole month or whether one should renew his intention daily. The answer is that Muslim scholars hold two different opinions in this regard: to voluntary fasting, though.
I: The Maaliki scholars believe that one intention is sufficient for the whole of Ramadan.
II: The second view is the preponderant opinion, and Allah knows best. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars: (Hanafi, Hanbali and Shaafi‘i). When a person wants to fast in Ramadan, he should make an independent intention for each day (on the night preceding it).
Another aspect of the mercy of Allah The Exalted is that one is not obliged to articulate one’s intention. The heart is the abode of intention. In fact, eating the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) is considered making the intention of fasting, and all perfect praise is due to Allah The Exalted for His grace and for facilitating this.
Intention is, therefore, the first pillar of fasting.
The second pillar: abstinence from all fast-invalidating matters (eating, drinking and sexual relations) from dawn till sunset.
Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {…And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night] at dawn.} [Quran 2:187]
In a Hadeeth on the authority of ‘Hazrat Adiyy Ibn Haatim (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) he said, “When the verse in which Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night] at dawn} [Quran 2:187]
was revealed, I took two strings, one black and the other white, and kept them under my pillow and went on looking at them throughout the night but could not make anything out of it. So, the next morning I went to the Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam )and told him the whole story. The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam )smiled and said: ‘Then your pillow is extremely wide if the white thread (of dawn) and the black thread (of the night) are underneath your pillow! The verse refers to the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the dawn!’” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
There is no doubt that the third pillar is related to the fasting person; he\she should be a sane adult Muslim and physically able to fast, and this is something very obvious to all.
Nullifiers of fasting
Let us begin with the gravest of them:
First: Having sexual intercourse:
According to the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of scholars, engaging in sexual intercourse invalidates the fast. If a fasting person has sexual intercourse during the fast day, his \ her fast becomes null and void. In such a case the fasting person is obliged to make up for that day and strict expiation is due, which is to free a believing slave; failing that, he should observe fasting for two consecutive months without interruption except for a valid reason under the Sharee‘ah, such as illness, or because it is intervened by the days of ‘Eed. If he breaks his fast without a valid reason even for a day, he\she has to restart the 60-day fasting once more in order to maintain the element of successiveness. If he fails to fast for two consecutive months, he should feed sixty poor people [a Mudd (a quarter Saa‘) for each of them]. Note: A Saa‘ measures four Mudds. The Mudd measures two middle-sized handfuls, which equals about 3 kilograms
Muslim jurists hold different opinions with regards to the above expiation, whether the mentioned order of options should be followed or the fasting person is entitled to choose whichever he\she wishes from these three options. The preponderant opinion is that expiation should be implemented in the mentioned order of options respectively, and this is the opinion of the majority of Muslim scholars.
The evidence that support this opinion is the words of Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) when he said, "While we were sitting with the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) a man came to him and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I am ruined!' The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) asked: 'What is the
matter?' He replied, 'I had sexual intercourse with my wife while fasting.' The
Messenger Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) asked him, 'Can you afford to free a slave?' He replied in the negative. The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) asked him: 'Can you fast for two successive months?' He also replied in the negative. The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) asked him: 'Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?' He replied in the negative. After a while, some dates were brought to the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam )and he asked: 'Where is the questioner?' He replied, 'I (am here).' The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) said (to him): 'Take these (dates) and give them in charity.' The man then said, 'Is there a person poorer than me that I can give them to? By Allaah, there is no family between its two mountains (i.e., in Madeenah) who is poorer than mine.' The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam )smiled till his pre-molar teeth were visible, and said: 'Feed them to your family.'" [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Muslim jurists hold three different opinions with regards to the ruling of a woman whose husband forces her to have sexual intercourse with him during the day in Ramadan. The preponderant opinion is that she should make up for that day and no expiation is due; as her husband forced her to do what she did. There is no religious text [authentic evidence] indicating the obligation of expiation in such a case.
Second: The emission of semen in wakefulness (because of touching, kissing, or caressing one’s spouse, or masturbation using the hand, and the like): This invalidates the fast and one is obliged to make up the fast; as all this is included in the meaning of sexual desire that must be avoided in order for the fast to be valid as stated in a Hadeeth Qudsi: "(Allah The Exalted Says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and sexual desire for My sake..." [Al-Bukhaari]
*The release of semen (or sexual vaginal secretions in the case of women) as a result of sexual arousal during the daytime in Ramadan invalidates fasting and the fasting person should make up for that day. There is no evidence stating that expiation is due except in the case of engaging in full sexual intercourse and there is no valid argument for those who say otherwise. Allaah knows best.
* The emission of semen (or sexual vaginal secretions in the case of women) as a result of a wet dream does not invalidate the fast because it happens involuntarily. If the fasting person has a wet dream and then wakes up to realize the discharging of semen (or sexual vaginal secretions in the case of women), let him/her perform the due Ghusl (ritual bath) and complete the fast. The fast is
valid in such a case and there is no blame upon the fasting person.
* If a fasting person kisses, hugs or fondles his\her spouse during the day in Ramadan without ejaculation, there is no harm in that and his\her fast is valid. ‘Hazrat Aa’ishah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) reported, “The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would kiss and embrace [his wives] while fasting, but his ability to control his desires was greater than any of yours.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
* An important question arises in this regard: What is the ruling on having sexual intercourse with one's spouse at night and then sleeping without performing Ghusl until the Athaan (call) for the Fajr (dawn) prayer?
It is narrated by ‘Hazrat Aa’ishah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) and Hazrat Umm Salamah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)was sometimes overtaken by dawn while he would be in a state of Janaabah (post sexual-intercourse impurity) after having sexual intercourse with his wives; he would then perform Ghusl and observe [his] fast.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Eating, drinking, and consuming anything that is nutritious invalidates fasting, if it is intentional. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night].} [Quraan 2:187]
As for those who eat or drink during the day in Ramadan out of forgetfulness, their fast is valid. Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) reported that Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Whoever forgets he is fasting, and eats or drinks is to complete his fast, as it is Allah Who fed him and gave him something to drink."
[Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Fourth: Intentional vomiting:
This means forcing oneself to bring food up from the stomach and out of the mouth. Intentional vomiting invalidates the fast and one should make up for that day. However, if a fasting person throws up unintentionally, his fasting is valid and he should resume fasting. The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Whoever is overcome by vomiting is not to make up the day. Whoever vomits intentionally must make up the day." [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi & Abu Daawood] [Al-Haakim in Al-Mustadrak: Saheeh] [Ibn Taymiyyah in Haqeeqat As-Siyaam: Saheeh(Authentic)]
Fifth: Menstruation and post-partum bleeding for women:
Whenever a Muslim woman sees menstrual blood or post-partum bleeding, her fasting is invalidated, whether it is in the beginning or the end of the day and even if it is a few moments before sunset. She is obliged to make up for these fast days afterwards.
‘Hazrat Aa’ishah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) was asked about the menstruating woman making up for the missed fast days, and she said, "We used to experience this and we were ordered to make up for the missed fasting but we were not ordered to make up for the missed prayers."
[Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
This was a very brief account of the most famous invalidators of fasting
Concessions and etiquettes of fasting
There are many concessions that Allaah grants His slaves to relieve them from
any embarrassment and discomfort, including:
1 – The traveller and the sick person are allowed to not fast in Ramadan if fasting is difficult to be endured:
Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {… And whoever is ill or on a journey – then [fast] an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not Intend for you hardship ...} [Quraan 2:185]
2 – It is permissible for a fasting person to use a Siwaak (traditional cleaning stick for teeth) at any time during the fast day. This is the correct opinion. However, some scholars prove the impermissibility of using Siwaak while fasting relying on the Hadeeth that was reported by ‘Hazrat Ali(Razi Allah Tala Anhu) which reads, "When you fast, use Siwaak in the morning but do not use it in the afternoon."
[Marfoo’ (Attributed to the ProphetHazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) )] This is a very weak narration that was narrated by Al-Bayhaqi and Ad-Daaraqutni.
A fasting person is allowed to use Siwaak at all times, especially at the following six times about which there is a religious text:
• Prayer
• Ablution
• Entering the home
• Waking up
• Reciting the Quran
• When the odor of the mouth changes
3 – Among the concessions given to fasting people in the month of Ramadan is rinsing one's mouth and nose without exaggeration so that water would not reach the throat and invalidate the fasting. Hazrat Laqeet Ibn Sabrah (Razi Allah Tala Anhu) reported that the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said to him: "Exaggerate when rinsing your mouth and nose unless you are fasting." [Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithi, An-Nasaa’i, & Ahmad]
4 – Fasting women are allowed to taste the food with the tip of the tongue during cooking but should spit out what remains on the tongue and make sure that it does not reach the throat.
5 – It is also permissible for a fasting person to relieve himself\herself from extreme heat and thirst by taking a shower or cooling one's body with cold water while fasting; Abu Bakr Ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan reported on the authority of one of the Companions (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that he said, "I saw the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) pouring water over his head while he was fasting because of thirst or because of heat."
[Abu Daawood]
6 - It is permissible for a fasting person to use ear or eye drops if necessary, even if he finds their taste in his\her throat. This is because it is not nutritious and nor is it similar to food and drink [constitutes nutrition for the body] according to the words of Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah Rahmat Allah.
Moreover, it is permissible for a person who is asthmatic and fasting to use an inhaler for breathing problems and he\she should resume the fast. His\her fasting is valid in such a case; as the inhaler is neither nutritious, nor is it like food and drink. All perfect praise and gratitude is due to Allah.
Etiquettes of fasting:
1. Having Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal):
It is recommended to eat a pre-dawn meal and there is no sin upon one who does not do so. The Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)said: "Eat a pre-dawn meal, for there are blessings in it." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Suhoor is fulfilled by eating a small quantity of food or even a sip of water. It is recommended to delay it (that is, as close to dawn as possible). Hazrat Anas (Razi Allah Tala Anhu)reported on the authority of Hazrat Zayd Ibn Thaabit(Razi Allah Tala Anhu) that he said, "We ate the pre-dawn meal with the Messenger of Allah and then we got up for the prayer. I (Anas) asked him: 'What was the amount of time between the two?' He replied:
'The time it would take to recite fifty verses.'" [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
2. Hastening to break the fast:
It is preferred for the fasting person to hasten to break the fast when the sun has set.Hazrat Sahl Ibn Sa‘d(Razi Allah Tala Anhu) reported that the ProphetHazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "People will continue to be upon virtue so long as they hasten to break the fast." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
It is recommended to break the fast by eating an odd number of ripe dates, dried dates or, if that is not available, then by drinking some water.
3. Supplication upon breaking the fast:
The supplication of a fasting person when he is breaking his fast is not rejected.
It is confirmed that the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would say upon breaking his fast: "Thahaba Ath-thama’ wabtallat Al-‘urooq wa thabata Al-Ajr in shaa’ Allaah" (which means: the thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and, Allah willing, the reward is confirmed). [Abu Daawood]
4. Refraining from performing any actions that do not befit fasting:
The fasting person must be on guard against any act that may cause him to lose the benefits of his fast. A fasting person should not abstain merely from eating and drinking, but also from backbiting, tale-bearing, false speech, and all sins and misdeeds.
I supplicate to Allah The Exalted to render you and me among those who listen to the speech and follow the best of it.
Finally, mistakes in fasting:
There is no doubt that the fasting people are among the best servants of Allah The Exalted but there are some errors that are made by some of those who fast, such as:
1 - Some fasting people show commendable diligence in performing acts of worship at the start of Ramadan; adhering to (performing) congregational prayers in the mosque, showing keenness on reciting the Quran, remembering Allah The Exalted, seeking His forgiveness, and showing keenness on performing Taraaweeh prayers (the congregation night prayers in Ramadan).
However, as the first days of the month pass by, they then become lazy and too occupied to continue performing these acts of worship.
Dear readers, let us remember the words of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as he said: "The most beloved deeds to Allaah are the incessant ones even if they are few …"[Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
He Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said: "Indeed, the (rewards of) deeds depend upon the last of them." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
2 – Another grave mistake that is made by some people during Ramadan is yielding to cruelty, harshness, and ill-treatment while dealing with others under the pretext that they are fasting! Does fasting call for aggressive acts? Does fasting justify such aggressive acts or induce fasting people to use foul language or yield to cruelty and vulgarity? Indeed, no! Fasting is a great spiritual school that instills refined virtues and morals in fasting people.
Dear readers, let us always remember the will of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) when he said: "… Fasting is a shield (or protection from the Fire and from committing sins). If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'Indeed, I am fasting; indeed, I am fasting.'" [Al-Bukhaari]
3 – Some fasting people spend the days of Ramadan sleeping, rendering it a month of sleep, laziness and lethargy. Some may sleep the whole day, delaying prayers, Allah forbid, and then be awake all night long! Perhaps they rely upon the narration that reads: "The sleep of the fasting person is (an act of) worship," But Shaykh Al-Albaani Rahmat Allah stated that this is a weak Hadeeth.
4 – Incidents of wasting food increases during Ramadan when some people cook as much food as they can and then throw away large quantities of surplus food. This is blameworthy and forbidden extravagance. This, undoubtedly, contradicts the wisdom of fasting for which it has been prescribed in the first place; it is against the spirit of fasting and the philosophy behind it.
May Allah bless he who said, "You eat great amounts of food, drink large quantities of drinks, and sleep all night long, and still label yourselves as pious!"
Our intention here is to advise Muslims to be moderate without denying them what Allah has deemed lawful for them.
We ask Allah The Almighty, Lord of the Throne, to accept our fasting, prayers, and Zakaah (obligatory charity); He is able to do that and He alone is worthy of this entreaty.
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