The Month of Ramadan has long ago been established as the Month of Fasting for Muslims. But from where does the 'Authority and Instructions' for its observance come? How can we know with certainty the 'Correct Performance and Acceptability' with Allah the Sublime?
Wisdom of Fasting
- Fasting is a 'Great Act of Worship' for the Muslim which he performs by Neglecting his Desires to please his Lord and hopes for His Reward.
- Fasting is also a 'Means of achieving Piety and Righteousness'. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "He who does Not give up False Speech and Evil Actions, Allah doesn't need his refraining from Food and Drink."
- The Heart, through Fasting, is apt to maintain its tenderness since the desires are not sought rather shunned, and tend to be more Receptive to the words of Allah.
- The Rich will, through Fasting be more appreciative of Allah's graces and bounties. He will also suffer deprivation as do the poor and needy under their everyday circumstances. So he will be more motivated to help them from what Allah has provided him.
Abu Huraira narrated "Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: 'When the Month of Ramadan starts, the Gates of Jannah (Paradise) are opened and the Gates of Jahannam (Hell) are closed, and the Shayatin (devils) are chained up."
The gates of Jannah (Paradise) are opened in this month because a great deal of righteous deeds are performed, and as an encouragement for those who seek Allah's reward. While the gates of Jahannam (Hell) are closed because only a few sins are committed by the believers. The shayatin (devils) will be chained that they may not have the influence on the believers by whispering to them and misguiding them that they might ordinarily have during the other months of the year.
- Allah has prescribed Fasting and made it Obligatory on all Nations.
- It is a Shield because it safeguards the Believer from vain talk and wrong doing and thereby protects him from the Jahannam (Hell).
- Of all the Good deeds, Allah has favoured Fasting to be Greatly Rewarded by Him and distinguished it with prestige, if it is observed with the pure intention of pleasing Him alone.
- Fasting intercedes with Allah on behalf of a fasting person on the Day of Judgment.
Who Should Fast?
- Fasting is Obligatory on the Mature sane and Healthy Muslim.
- Exempted are those who suffer terminal illness or are too old to fast.
- On the other hand, Permission to abstain from Fasting is granted to the Travelers also Travelers should make up the fasts they missed out in Ramadan once Ramadan is over and they are back home.
- As for those whose Sickness does not allow them to Fast, they fall into 3 categories:
1) If it is neither hard nor harmful for them, they must observe fasting
2) If it is Hard but not harmful for them, they are permitted to break their fast
3) If it is Harmful for them, then they must abstain from fasting
Note: The Fasts (days) that happen to be missed in Ramadan must be made up once Ramadan is over.
- During the monthly Menstruation of women or postnatal time after giving birth, women should not fast, but they must make up these days that are missed as soon as possible in the following month(s).
- Pregnant or Breast-feeding women whose health or the baby's health would be negatively affected by the fasting should break their fast and then make them up in the future as soon as it is not a problem for their health.
When Does Fasting Begin and End?
- Fasting begins upon Sighting the New Moon after the ending of the month of Sha'ban (on the Lunar calendar).
Note: It is not incumbent on each person to sight the new moon. If a Trustworthy Muslim testifies that he has sighted the Moon then everyone must observe fasting.
- Fasting ends with the Sighting of New Moon after completion of Lunar month of Ramadan which is either 29 or 30 Days.
Praiseworthy Etiquettes of Fasting
- Taking the Meal of Suhur
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Take the Meal of Suhur because there is Blessing in it."
- Breaking the Fast as Soon as the Sun sets
- Making Dua upon breaking the Fast
- Reciting as much Quran as possible during Fasting
Fast Breakers
- Sexual intercourse during the time of day for fasting
Note: Wilful violation of Fast by such practice requires the fast of 60 consecutive days in order to make up for the day in which the intercourse took place.
- Intentionally ejaculating breaks the fast. Unintentional ejaculations do not break the fast.
- Intentional Eating, Drinking, Smoking or taking any food substitutes such as Glucose, or I.V. substances, breaks the fast. If done without remembering you are fasting, then it would not count as breaking the fast.
- Vomiting on purpose without necessity
- Menstrual bleeding
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