In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
WHAT IS FASTING?
Fasting is generally understood to mean abstaining from food or the practice of going without food or drink. People of every community fast for one reason or another – as a religious duty, as a sign of mourning, a hunger strike for socio-political reasons or for health reasons probably to put off weight.
Religiously it is seen as an act of self-discipline that increases spiritual awareness by weakening dependence on the material world.
Recent advances in medical technology have found that short periods of fasting releases hormones beneficial for the body.
In Islam, fasting is not just abstinence from the food and water. But, also to abstain from such things, which otherwise normally is allowed, from dawn to dusk.
The Arabic word for fasting is “Al-Siyam” which literally means, “to abstain from something.” So if Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, it means to abstain from food, drink, marital relations, and so on, solely for the sake of Allah, with clear intention.
WHY FASTING?
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an,
Chapter 2: Verse 183,
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, in order that you may gain ‘Taqwa’ [(fear of God or God-Consciousness) and ‘that you may (learn) self-restraint’]....”
Fasting helps us to understand the pangs of hunger and thirst that the beggars and the needy usually experience, not just one month, but almost everyday, except occasionally some how they manage to get for a day or two, a proper meal, albeit of lower quality, three times a day.
By this process, we are impelled to thank Allah for His bounties He Provides us everyday – the very basic amenity, the food more than three times a day by way of breakfast, beverage, lunch, snacks and supper – rather than not thank Him and proceed on our daily chores or to take a short nap after heavy mouth-watering meals.
FASTING ONE OF THE PILLARS OF ISLAM
The last Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, peace be upon him, said,
1] To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle
2] To offer the five daily prayers dutifully and properly
3] To pay Zakah
4] To observe fasting in the month of Ramadhan
5] To perform Hajj (for those who are able, physically and materially)
[Narrated by Ibn-Umar, Sahih Bukhari]
Fasting is a period of self-purification, physically and spiritually. It can rightfully be called as a month of ‘filter’ that holds back bad deeds and lets good deeds pass. The month of Ramadhan is that period, associated with fasting and prayers, that tends to make people pass through the filter, to be cleansed off their sins, and flow towards the spiritual self. That is, to gain modesty, generosity, pity, nobility and increase in good manners, good words, good needs, good thought, good talk, and actually to add extra bricks, to the house called, ‘The good deed.’
There is a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reported by Abu Said al-Khudri saying that
“Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadhan, obeying all its limitations, and guarding himself against what is forbidden, has in fact, atoned for any sins he committed before it.”
And another hadith reported by Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said,
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadhan with faith and seeks Allahs pleasure and reward will have his previous sins forgiven.”
WHY FASTING IN THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN?...
“Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting…”
Chapter 2: Verse 185
…WHO SHOULD FAST?
“… but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.”
Chapter 2: Verse 185
May Allah help us live every moment of our life as we would in the month of Ramadhan, Ameen.
Last update : 06-10-2005 00:19
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