In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Fasting
During Ramadaan
Islamic legal rules of fasting: By Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi
11/13/2003 - Religious Education - Article Ref: IC0311-2136, IslamiCity* -
Duaa for keeping fast:
Wa bisawmi ghadeen nawaytu min shahri ramadaan
I intent to fast today for the month of Ramadaan
Duaa when breaking fast:
Allahumma Inni laka sumtu wa bika amantu wa ?la rizqika aftartu.
O Allah, I fasted for You and I believe in You and I break my fast with Your sustain
More Ramadaan Duaas:
http://www.global-right-path.com/Downloads/Ramadaan-Duaas.pdf
The
Arabic word for fasting is called "sawm" in the Quraan. The word sawm
literally means "to abstain". Chapter Maryam of the Quraan says that
Mary the mother of Jesus said "I have vowed a "sawm" (fast) for
the sake of the Merciful, so today I shall not speak to anyone."
[Quraan
19:26]. According to Shariyah,
the word sawm means to abstain from all those things that are forbidden
during
fasting from the break of dawn to the sunset, and to do this with the
intention
of fasting.
In
chapter 2 verse 183 the Quraan says, "O you who believe, fasting is
prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you,
in order
that you may learn taqwa (piety)".
Taqwa
is a very important
spiritual and ethical term of the Quraan. It is the sum
total of all Islamic spirituality and ethics. It is a quality in a
believer's
life that keeps him or her aware of God all the time. A person who has
taqwa
loves to do good and avoid evil for the sake of God. Taqwa is piety,
righteousness and consciousness of God. Taqwa requires patience and
perseverance. Fasting teaches patience, and with patience one can rise
to the
high position of taqwa.
The
Prophet said
that fasting is a shield. It protects a person from sin and lustful
desires.
When the disciples of Jesus asked him how to cast the evil spirits
away, he is
reported to have said, "But this kind never comes out except by prayer
and
fasting." (Matthew 17:21).
According
to Imam Al Ghazali, fasting produces a
semblance of divine quality
of samadiyyah (freedom from want) in a human being. Imam
Ibn
Al Qayyim, viewed fasting as a means of releasing the human
spirit from the
clutches of desire, thus allowing moderation to prevail in the carnal
self.
Imam Shah Waliullah Dahlawi (d. 1762 C.E.) viewed fasting as a means of
weakening the bestial and reinforcing the angelic elements in human
beings.
Maulana Mawdudi (d. 1979 C.E.) emphasized that fasting for a full month
every
year trains a person individually, and the Muslim community as a whole,
in
piety and self restraint.
In
the second year of Hijrah,
Muslims were commanded to fast in the month of Ramadaan every year as
mentioned
in the verse above [Al-Baqarah
2:183]. The Quraan further says "The month of Ramadaan is
that in which
was revealed the Quraan, wherein is guidance for humankind and the
clear signs
of guidance and distinction. Thus whosoever among you witness the month
must
fast..." [Al-Baqarah 2:184].
Prophet
Muhammad (Peace-Be-Upon-Him) explained
this further in a number of his statements reported in the books of Hadith.
It is reported by Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim on the authority of
Ibn Umar
that the Messenger of God said, "Islam is built upon five pillars:
testifying that there is no god except God and that Muhammad
(Peace-Be-Upon-Him) is
the Messenger
of God, performing Prayer, paying the zakah,
making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj),
and fasting during the month of Ramadaan."
The
entire Muslim world is unanimous in the principal of fasting in the
month of
Ramadaan and considers it obligatory upon every person who is physicaly
capable
(mukallaf).
Muslims
all over the world wait eagerly for Ramadaan, as it is a time of
increased inner
peace and well-being.
Fasting
in the month of Ramadaan is obligatory upon every adult Muslim, male or
female,
who has reached puberty, is sane and who is not sick or traveling.
Sickness
could be a temporary sickness from which a person expects to be cured
soon.
Such a person should not fast during the days of his or her sickness,
but he or
she must fast later after Ramadaan to complete the missed days. Those
who are
sick with incurable illness and expect no better health are also
allowed not to
fast but they must pay the fidyah,
which is giving a day's meals for each fast missed to a needy person.
Instead
of food for one day one can also give equivalent amount of money to a
needy
person. Women in their menses and post-natal bleeding are not allowed
to fast,
but they must make up the fast later after Ramadaan. If pregnant women
and
mothers who are nursing babies can also postpone their fasting to a
later time
when they are able to do so.
A
travel according to the Shariah is any journey that takes you away from
your
city of residence, a minimum of 48 miles or 80 kilometers. The journey
must be
for a good cause. One must avoid frivolous travel during Ramadaan which
causes a
person to miss fasting. If possible one should try to change their
travel plans
during Ramadaan to be able to fast and should not travel unless it is
necessary.
The traveler who misses the fasts of Ramadaan must make up those missed
days
later as soon as possible after Ramadaan.
B) Fasting
According to the Sunnah
1
- Take sahur (pre-dawn meal). It is Sunnah
and there is a great reward and blessing in taking sahur. The best time
for
sahur is the last half hour before dawn or the time for Fajr prayer.
2
- Take iftar (break-fast) immediately after sunset. Shariah considers
sunset
when the disk of the sun goes below the horizon and disappears
completely.
3
- During the fast, abstain from all false talks and deeds. Do not
quarrel, have
disputes, indulge in arguments, use bad words, or do anything that is
forbidden. You should try to discipline yourself morally and ethically,
besides
gaining physical training and discipline. You should also not make a
show of
your fasting by talking too much about it, or by showing dry lips and a
hungry
stomach, or by showing a bad temper. The fasting person must be a
pleasant
person with good spirits and good cheer.
4
- During the fast, do acts of charity and goodness to others and
increase your
worship and reading of the Quraan. Everyone should try to read the
whole Quraan
at least once during the month of Ramadaan.
C) Things That Invalidate FastingThings
You
must avoid doing anything that may render your fast invalid. Things
that
invalidate the fast and require qadaa' (making up for these days) are
the
following:
1
- Eating, drinking or smoking deliberately, including taking any
non-nourishing
items by mouth or nose.
2
- Deliberately causing yourself to vomit.
3
- The beginning of menstrual or post-childbirth bleeding even in the
last
moment before sunset.
4
- Sexual intercourse or other sexual contact (or masturbation) that
results in
ejaculation (in men) or vaginal secretions (orgasm) in women.
5
- Eating, drinking, smoking or having sexual intercourse after Fajr
(dawn) on
the mistaken assumption that it is not Fajr time yet. Similarly,
engaging in
these acts before Maghrib (sunset) on the mistaken assumption that it
is
already Maghrib time.
Sexual
intercourse during fasting is forbidden. Those who engage in it must
make both
qadaa' (make up the fasts) and kaffarah (expiation by fasting for 60
days after Ramadaan or by feeding 60 poor people for each day of fast
broken in this way).
According to Imam Abu Hanifah, eating and/or drinking deliberately
during fast
also entail the same qadaa' and kaffarah.
D) Things
That Do Not Invalidate Fasting
Using
a miswak to clean your teeth does not invalidate fasting
During
fast, the following things are permissible:
1
- Taking a bath or shower. If water is swallowed involuntarily it will
not
invalidate the fast. According to most of the jurists, swimming is also
allowed
in fasting, but one should avoid diving, because that will cause the
water to
go from the mouth or nose into the stomach.
2
- Using perfumes, wearing contact lenses or using eye drops.
3
- Taking injections or having a blood test.
4
- Using miswak (tooth-stick) or toothbrush (even with tooth paste) and
rinsing
the mouth or nostrils with water, provided it is not overdone (so as to
avoid
swallowing water).
5
- Eating, drinking or smoking unintentionally, i.e., forgetting that
one was
fasting. But one must stop as soon as one remembers and should continue
one's
fast.
6
- Sleeping during the daytime and having a wet-dream does not break
one's fast.
Also, if one has intercourse during the night and was not able to make
ghusl
(bathe) before dawn, he or she can begin fast and make ghusl later.
Women whose
menstruation stops during the night may begin fasting even if they have
not
made ghusl yet. In all these cases, bathing (ghusl) is necessary but
fast is
valid even without bathing.
7
- Light Kissing (NOT Sexual Kissing) between husband and wife is
allowed in fasting, BUT
one
should try to AVOID
it so that one may not do anything further that is forbidden
during the
fast.
E) Requirements
for Fasting to Be Valid
There
are basically two main components of fasting:
1
- The intention (niyyah) for fasting. One should make a sincere
intention to
fast for the sake of God every day before dawn. The intention need not
be in
words, but must be with the sincerity of the heart and mind. Some
jurists are
of the opinion that the intention can be made once only for the whole
month and
does not have to be repeated every day. It is, however, better to make
intention every day to take full benefit of fasting.
2
- Abstaining from dawn to dusk from everything that invalidates fasting
as
mentioned above.
Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is the imam
and director of the Islamic
Society of Orange County, California, USA and former president of the
Islamic
Society of North America.
Fasting during Journey or illness in the month of Ramadaan:
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. (Al_Quraan_002-184)
It is suggested that if you are on a Journey which is upto two hours, i.e. 200-KM (in old time around 48-miles) for one way from door to door, you should continue fasting, BUT if your travell time is more than two hours, you should skip the fast and make it up at a later date. Remember, for air travel, even for an hour of air time could be much more than that, usually more than five hours due to the travel time to the airport and the wait at the airport. So most of the air travel you must skip fasting during Ramadaan and make it up at a later date. If one can go for work and come back on the same day and that can be on a regular schedule, he/she should continue fasting, otherwise he/she must skip it and make up for it later.
Delaying Periods (Menstruation) in the Month of Ramadaan:
Be Careful in playing against the laws of Allah. Allah created women with this thing. Don't ever think to do against the will of Allah, otherwise Allah may punish you. Don't trust the scientists, one day they say it is ok and then 20-30 years later they say this is the cause of the thing you tried 20-30 years ago. Don't think that your reward will be less because of this, unless you don't make up the counting of fasting later.
Reciting the Quraan during the Menstruation (Periods):
There is NO harm in a menstruating or post-partum bleeding woman reading the books of supplications that are written for the rites of the pilgrimage. In fact, there is nothing wrong with her reciting the Quraan according to the correct opinion. There is no authentic, clear text prohibiting a menstruating or post-partum bleeding woman from reciting the Quraan. The thing that is narrated is concerned with the sexually defiled person only, as such should not recite the Quraan while he is sexually defiled. This is based on the Hadeeth of 'Alee. (Reference: http://www.fatwa-online.com)
Are we Muslims during Ramadaan only?
If
we are Muslims during Ramadaan only then it looks like during Ramadaan
we really worship Allah BUT rest of the year we worship Shaitaan. Don't
be like this. Enter into Islaam Completely.
Ramadaan is a month
of getting training and applying in your life for ever, what you learn,
only this way your Emaan will increase, otherwise it will be like we
are Muslims during Ramadaan only, and rest of the year we are Shaitaan.
You
cannot learn during Ramadaan, UNLESS you know Arabic Language or at
least read the Translation of Quraan till you learn the Arabic Language.
May Allah help us to become REAL Muslims. AMEEN.
Universal Exceptional Fasting-Salaat Timing Method, By Irshad Mahmood:
Allah told to face Makkah means FOLLOW Makkah and get GUIDANCE
from Makkah for Hajj, Umrah, Salaat, Ramadaan and Eid etc., and do not
divide Religion Islaam, since those who Divide their Religion and break
up into Sects, thou hast NO part in them in the least: their affair is
with Allah, (Ref: Al_Quraan_002.125-129, 002.130-138, 002.142-144,
002.149-150, 002.189, 003.095-097, 003.103, 003.106, 006.096, 006.159,
010.005).
Remember: When there is summer
on the north of equator, there is winter on the south of it and Fasting
and Salaat timings are different over there.
Fasting for only few hours is not a
fasting at all and fasting for over 16 hours is like having extreme
hardship on people. Main purpose of fasting is to follow the
commandments of Allah without hardship (Ref: Al_Quraan_002:84-185). To
find medical reason, which recommends 12 hours of fasting for health benefits on occasional basis, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting.
Although Allah has
granted to skip fasting for those who cannot fast for valid reasons
(Ref: Al_Quraan_002:84-185), and provided us following options:
1> Fast if you can with no major hardship.
2> Skip fasting and makeup on some other days in case you are sick or travel or having extreme hardship.
3> Skip fasting and pay due to the poor for those days in case you cannot makeup later.
Below is just a case study (FYI):
Since Universe is expanding (Ref: Al_Quraan_051:047). Also people not
only started living in the far north and far south on this planet
earth, where normal day and night is based on 24
hours clock instead of daylight and night but also moving above in
space. It is time now to re-analyze Fasting and Salaat timing in the
light of the Quraan, Really Authentic Hadeeth and Ijtihaad. Scholars of
the past had suggested on following Makkah timings, or the nearest city
on the south below 64 degrees if living north or nearest city on the north below 64
degrees if living on the south. Great thanks to the scholars of past,
who have already done ground works to show us the signs that there is
real need for this simplified Universal Exceptional Fasting/Salaat
Timing Method as an adjustment (Reference: http://www.islamicvoice.com/2001-06/dialogue.htm and http://www.islamicity.com). Those who fall beyond these limits should follow Makkah (Saudi Arabia) Timing.
To have Iftaar and Sahoor one need
certain number of hours gap to digest otherwise it will be like one
meal a day, and you might not be able to do the challenging work after
few days due to reduced energy level in you.
Also keep in mind that as per medical research 7 to 8
hours of sleep is necessary for a normal person. It will be extremely
hard for those who drive vehicle or aircraft or spacecraft or any
complex machinery and may cause accidents if not taken extra
precautions. Surgeons must avoid surgery if not having enough sleep or
have much less energy and cannot concentrate on their duties, to save
patients’ lives.
It is not practical, in one hour at
night, end fasting, then offer Maghrib Salaat, then offer Ishaa Salaat,
which includes Taraveeh Prayers, then eat Sahoor before start of
Fasting, then finally offer Fajr (Dawn) Salaat. Similarly it is not practical
to have a one hour period of fasting, and have the remainder be 23 hours of night.
Allah does not wish to make the religion difficult for you, (Ref_Al_Quraan_:002:184-185, 005:006).
Maghrib and Ishaa Prayers may be
combined in case of bad weather, nighttime getting extremely shorter in
the extreme regions, etc.
CONCEPT OF TIME FREEZE:
As we have noticed, there is a
NATURAL TIME FREEZE for certain days during peak summer, as well as
peak winter in Makkah (Saudi Arabia) which is at 21.4167° N, 39.8167° E. It will help us understand the
concept of TIME FREEZE. Extracted time data has been taken from
http://www.guidedways.com.
Keep in mind that Sunrise Freeze and Sunset Freeze are on different days in Makkah (Saudi Arabia).
Start of
End of Fajr
/ Maghrib /
Date From
Date To
Fajr
Freez Sunrise
Freeze Sunset Freeze
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 29, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 04:11 AM 05:38 AM
Jun 26, 2011 Jul 12,
2011
07:07 PM
Nov 23, 2011 Dec 01,
2011
05:37 PM
Jan 10, 2012 Jan 23, 2012 05:38 AM 07:01 AM
In Makkah (Saudi Arabia), 21.4167° N, 39.8167° E, during summer peak fasting time is around fifteen (15) hours while in Madinah it is over 15 hours and during winter peak fasting time is around twelve (12)
hours. Those who live in such an exceptional area (i.e. where it is
becoming hardship on them), people can freeze the Fasting and Salaat
Time when fasting time becomes longer than fifteen (16) hours or fasting becomes shorter than twelve (12) hours like in Makkah. Below is an example for Stockholm (Sweden). http://www.guidedways.com
Suggested Forced Time Freeze for Salaat and Fasting in
Stockholm (Sweden) for summer: Adopt Salaat and Fasting time accordingly for your
region. Start of Fajr (Dawn) should be one hour before End of Fajr (Dawn).
Start of
End of
Date
From Date
To
Fajr Freez
Fajr Freeze
Maghrib Freeze
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apr 22, 2011 Aug 22, 2011 04:18 AM 05:18 AM
Apr 22, 2011 Aug 25,
2011
08:17 PM
If in any region Fasting Hours increases beyond sixteen (16) hours, people can freeze that at sixteen (16) hours.
Suggested Forced Time Freeze for Salaat and Fasting in
Stockholm (Sweden) for winter: Adopt Salaat time accordingly for your
region. Start of Fajr (Dawn) should be one hour before End of Fajr (Dawn).
Start of
End of
Date
From Date
To
Fajr Freez
Fajr Freeze
Maghrib Freeze
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct 08, 2011 Feb 23, 2012 06:05 AM 07:05 AM
Oct 08, 2011 Mar 23,
2012
06:07 PM
If in any region Fasting Hours drops below twelve (12) hours, people can freeze that at twelve (12) hours as well.
People in other regions in the far north or south should follow similar method according to their local time.
Regions falling beyond these limits e.g. in space etc., people should follow Makkah (Saudi Arabia) Fasting/Salaat Timing.
Scholars should adjust their Calendar for the benefit of Muslim Ummah.
The month of Ramadaan is that in
which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the
guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in
the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a
journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah
desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty
(hardship), and (He desires) that you should complete the number and
that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you
and that you may give thanks, (Al_Quraan_002:185).
O you who believe! when you rise up
to prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and
wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you are under an
obligation to perform a total ablution, then wash (yourselves) and if
you are sick or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy, or you
have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to
pure earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith, Allah does not
desire to put on you any difficulty, but He wishes to purify you and
that He may complete His favor on you, so that you may be grateful,
(Al_Quraan_005:006).