Fiqh made Easy – Fasting/part1
Introduction:
*Fasting the month of Ramadhan is a pillar from the pillars of Islam and a Fard from its Furûd, which is known from the Dîyn by necessity.
Proofs from the Qur’an and Sunnah:
*The proof for it from the Book of Allah:
‘O you who believe fasting is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you.‘ [2:183]
Allah says:
‘The month of Ramadhan is that in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination so whoever of you witnesses the month let him fast it.’ [2:185]
There are many ahadîyth which point to the importance of this month, of them:
a. The Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention, said:
‘Islam is built on five (pillars).’
He mentioned from the five the fasting of Ramadhan.
b. The Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention, said:
‘Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of belief and seeks the reward of Allah, his sins would be forgiven.’
c. The Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention, said:
‘The fasting person has two farhah (joys) one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Rubb. The smell of the mouth of the fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than musk.’
The Muslim scholars are agreed that it is compulsory to fast this month.
Definition of Sawm:
In linguistic terms the word ‘Sawm‘ means to abstain from something. Fasting in Islam is to abstain from eating, drinking, sexual desires, and also avoiding vulgar language, and fighting without reason and so on.
The Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention, said:
‘Whoever (his fast) does not prevent him from making false statements, and acting upon them Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink.’
Basic Knowledge Questions:
*Fasting starts when the white thread becomes distinct from the black thread of the dawn and ends with the sunset. Allah says:
‘So you may now go in unto them and seek what Allah has ordained for you; and eat, and drink until the white thread is distinguishable from the black thread of the dawn. Then complete the fast till nightfall.’ [2:187]
*When do we start fasting the month or Ramadhan?
We start fasting the month of Ramadhan from the first day of the 9th month of the Lunar calendar.
*How do we affirm the first day of fasting?
By one of three ways:
1. If the crescent is sighted. Allah says,
‘Whoever of you witnesses the month let him fast it.’ [2:185]
The Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention said,
‘Fast when you sight the crescent.’
So whoever sights the crescent would have to fast.
2. If a trustworthy man sights the moon, or reports sighting it, people should follow the sighting of that man and fast. The witness of one person would be enough. Ibn Umar said:
‘People were looking for the crescent, and I reported to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah exalt his mention, that I saw it, and he fasted and ordered people to fast.’ [Abu Dawûd and others] Ibn Habban said it is sahîh (authentic).
3. To complete the month of Sha’ban 30 days. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah exalt his mention, said:
‘Indeed the month is 29 days, do not fast until you sight the crescent, and do not stop fasting until you sight the crescent, but if you cannot sight it, then complete it.’
Complete it here means to complete the month 30 days. This is taken from the other authentic Hadîyth of Abu Hurairah:
‘If you cannot sight the crescent complete the month 30 days.’
*Sh. Abdul-Aziz b. Bâz, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
‘When kids reach the age of seven they should be told to fast, so that they would get used to it. The children’s guardians should order them to fast, just as is the command in Salâh.’
*Fasting is not compulsory on an insane; even if he fasts it would not be accepted from him, because he has no intention.
*Fasting is not compulsory on a sick person, or a traveler. Allah says,
‘Whoever of you is sick, or traveling let him make it up with other days.’ [2:184]
*If a person breaks his fast for a reason, and during the day of Ramadhan that reason no longer has an affect, such that the traveler comes back from his travel, the period or postnatal bleeding stops, or a Kaafir accepts Islam, or an insane turns sane, or a young child reaches the age of puberty; they should all abstain from food and drink for the rest of the day, and make that day up. Similarly, if it is proven that the day that they thought to be the 30th day of Sha’ban was actually the first day of Ramadhan, people should abstain from eating or drinking for the rest of the day and make up that day after Ramadhan.
Point of Interest:
*Here a story comes to mind about Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy on him.
He was sitting in his Majlis with his students, and a very seemingly respected man came to them. Abu Hanifah was sitting with his legs stretched, so he quickly drew his legs in.
The man then proceeded to ask Abu Hanifah, ‘When do we stop eating Suhûr…?’
He said, ‘After you hear the call of Fajr (Adthân of Fajr prayer).’
He then asked, ‘When do we break our fast?’
He said, ‘We break our fast when the sun sets.’
The man then asked, ‘What if the sun does not set?’
Abu Hanifah said, ‘this man had such an effect on me, but now he has lost his respect…!’
or words similar to this.
Allah knows best
