The Blessed Month of Ramadan
by Amer A. AL-Zubaidi
Fasting is the oldest recorded ritual of spiritual purification known to man and it is prevalent in many of the worlds’ religions in different forms. The general practice is abstinence from food, drink, and other pleasures for a duration of time. The Glorious Qur’an says, “O ye who believe! Fasting has been ordained unto you as it was ordained unto those before you so that ye guard yourself (against evil).” (2:183) ... Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said, “Fasting is like a shield, and he who fasts has two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of him who fasts is better in Allah's estimation than the smell of musk.” Peace of everlasting blessing till the dawn of the morning to whomsoever of His servants He wills, according to the decree confirmed by Him. O' Lord, help us to observe the fasts of the month of Ramadan by restraining our limbs from disobeying Thee, and employing them in that which would please Thee, Ameen. ... Fasting ‘Saum’ should be observed from the first day of the month of Ramadan until the end of it, and before the first of the following month of Shawwal, for the entire of this month, every Lunar Year. Fasting is one of the most compulsory (Fard) pillars for every Muslim adult (Baligh), for a male on the completion of his thirteenth to fifteenth years, and for a female on the completion of her ninth to thirteenth year, depending on puberty. During this month, men as well as women, rich as well as poor, influential and powerful as well as the weak and downtrodden have to observe fasts, restraining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual pleasure from dawn until sunset. Of course, as always, all sinful actions are to be constantly avoided. ... Fasting is not incumbent on the old, or for whom it causes extreme hardship. But in latter case, the individual should give one mudd food to a poor person for every missed fast. Fasting also regulates the desires of the lower physical self and trains the higher moral self to control them. The Glorious Qur’an says, “The month of Ramadan in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear Evidence for guidance and Discrimination between Right and Wrong. So every one of you who is witnesseth this month should fast therein, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later. Allah desired for your ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and He desireth ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful (to Him).” ... One who, while fasting, does not guard his/her tongue from telling lies and does not refrain from bad deeds, is not respecting his/her fast. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) does not approve of mere abstention from food. Fasting is supposed to provide a Muslim with a state of mind that is focused on the duties toward Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), so that the Muslim can train himself or herself to work daily through words, actions, and emotions
5 The Blessed Month of Ramadan AL-KUFA Publications Amer A. AL-Zubaidi
in accordance with the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala). Mere hunger and thirst do not constitute a fast. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said: "For everything there is a Zakat (purification), and the Zakat of the bodies is fasting." Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) said in the famous Hadith Qudsi in which the Almighty Lord says, “Fasting is Mine and it is I who give reward for it.” The Glorious Qur'an says, “O’ ye who believe! Seek help with patience and prayer; Verily Allah is with the patient ones.” "And giveth his wealth out of love for Him to kindred and the orphans and the poor and the wayfarer and the needy and for those in bondage." (2:117 & 153)
To read more, please click on the link below:
BeneficiariesOfFastingInIslam.pdf