FASTING IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

                            

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, may be 29 or 30 days long. An Islamic month begins with the sighting of the new crescent in the western horizon, immediately after sunset.

WHAT IS FASTING?

Literally, fasting means to abstain or stay away from something.

In Islamic Terminology, it is an act of worship for Allah Ta'ala in which one abstains from things which break the fast (like eating drinking) from dawn till sunset.

What is the ruling on fasting?

Allah says in the Quran:

'O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain God-consciousness. (2:183)



Its obligatory to fast in this month as Allah Ta'ala says in the Quran- fasting is prescribed for you.

Also the Prophet(peace be upon him) said that fasting in Ramadan is a pillar of Islam.


WHEN ONE MUST FAST?

Muslims look towards the western horizon for the new moon on the 29th day of Shaban, the eighth month. If the new moon is sighted, Ramadan has begun with the sunset but fasting begins with the next dawn. If the new moon is not sighted on this 29th day, Muslims complete 30 days of Shaban and Ramadan begins the following day. If the moon is concealed then count 30 days of ramadan and complete 30 days of fasting.

Narrated Ibn Umar: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can’t see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)”.

Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 124

                     
SIGNIFICANCE OF FASTING

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Allah said, ‘All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.’ Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hands my soul is’ The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.”

Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 128

The significance that we come to know from the above hadith are:

1-Allah Ta'ala will reward for this act of worship Himself. No one will be given the share of that reward except that person unlike the other deeds because its a hidden act of worship and a person does it sincerily for Allah Ta'ala.
2- Fasting is a shield from sins, so a person indulges more in goodness. When fasting, blood flow is restricted and the blood vessels are constricted, satans path is also tightened, therefore its easy to do good in this month.
3-The breath of the fasting person is sweeter to Allah then the fragrance of musk on the day of judgement.
4-There our two occasions of joy for the one fasting.

Narrated Sahl: The Prophet said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”

Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 120
4-The fasting muslims will enter through a special gate called Ar-Rayyan.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MONTH OF RAMADAN

"In the month of Ramadan, the Quran, a book of guidance with proofs of guidance distinguishing right from wrong, was revealed. Therefore, whoever of you is present in that month let him fast. But who is ill or on a journey shall fast a similar number of days later on. Allah desires your well-being, not your discomfort. He desires you to fast the whole month so that you may magnify Him and render thanks to Him for giving you His guidance." 2:185

1-Quran was revealed in this month and Allah Ta'ala orders His slaves to fast.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”

Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 123

2-The devils and rebellious jinn are chained up. And the gates of Hell are closed while the gates of paradise are opened.

                

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 125

3-Fasting in the month of ramadan with iman and seeking reward leads to forgiveness of past sins.


Ibn Abbas relates that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said "Umrah in Ramadan is like accompanying me on Hajj". Sahih al- Bukhari (1764)

4-Umrah in ramadan is like accompanying the prophet on Hajj.

THINGS TO DO IN RAMADAN

1-Making the intention to fast collectively at the beginning of the month or for every fast niyah has to be made before fajr. Women should renew their niyah after completion of mensturation.
2-Doing sahari before dawn.Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "Eat Suhoor, for there are blessings in it." [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
                 
3-Establishing prayers. Maintaining our faraid (obligations) dutifully.
4-Saying the Azkhar and all the selected innovations (supplicating and remembering Allah.)

                    
5-Refraining from performing any actions that don't befit fasting.
Fasting is a type of worship that draws one closer to Allah. Allah has prescribed it to purify the soul and to train it in good deeds. The fasting person must be on guard against any act that may cause him to lose the benefits of his fast. Thus, his fast will increase his Taqwa, and Allah says in the Qur'an [in meaning]: "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so perchance you may attain Taqwa."

Abu Hurairah also reported the Prophet (S) as saying: "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah Mighty and Majestic has no need [i.e. will not accept] that he should leave his food and drink".[Bukhari]

6-Using the siwak (tooth pick brush)-It is preferred for the fasting person to use a tooth stick or a brush. There is no difference if he uses it at the beginning or the ending of the day.
Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures." [Bukhari]                                   
7-Reciting the Quran with understanding and pondering over Its Ayats seeking the recognition of Allah through His Names and Attributes which increases our faith and leads to piety which is the sole purpose of this month, and this God consciousness remains for the days to come. 

Being generous and studying the Qur'an is recommended during all time, but it is especially stressed during the month of Ramadan. Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said: "The Prophet was the most generous of people, but he would be his most generous during Ramadan when he would meet with [the angel] Jibreel (Gabriel). He would meet with him every night and recite the Qur'an. When Jibreel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind."     
 
8-Cleanse your heart from any grudges or bad feelings against others forgive them and fill it up with piety, also purify it from the diseases like arrogance, envy, hypocrisy etc.


Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions."

The prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) also said, 'Surely there is in the body a small piece of flesh; if it is good, the whole body is good, and if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted, and that is surely the heart’. [Related by Imam Bukhārī in his sahih]

                   

9-Hastening to break ones fast preferably with ruthab dates as done by our Prophet (peace be upon him).

Sahl ibn Sa`d reported that the Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi wasallam) said: "The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they hasten in breaking the fast." [Bukhari and Muslim].                             

 

10-Establishing taraweeh and the lilatul Qadr(prayer of night of decree)
Narrated ‘Aisha: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.
Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 241
                         
Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle used to practice Itikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan”

                 
Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 237


11-Giving charity sadaqah and zakat.

“The best charity is that given in Ramadhan.” [At-Tirmithi].
                           

“He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards.” [Ahmad].




12-Performing Umrah.

                     


THE NULLIFIERS OF THE FAST

1-Eating and Drinking Intentionally- one has to make up for it later and seek repentance. If someone does so forgetting that he is fasting, the fast remains correct and he continues to fast till sunset. If water unintentionally comes to one's throat while washing his mouth then it doesn't break the fast.
2-Sexual Intercourse- one must make up that day and expiate the sin of this act by freeing a slave and if he cannot do that, he must fast 2 consecutive months if he is not able to do either of those, he must feed 60 poor people and seek repentance.

3-Vomiting deliberately- one must make up that day and seek forgiveness from Allah.
4-Injections which provide nutrition like saline drops (injections given in the vessels)- one is required to make up and do tawbah.
5-Dialysis -making up and tawbah required.
6-Menstruation and nifaas (post natal bleeding)-Making up only required.
7-Ejaculation due to kissing, hugging or masturbation, etc.- making up for that day and seeking forgiveness. There is nothing due for wet dreams.
8-Letting blood, by means such as cupping (hijama) or blood donation- making up and tawbah required. A little amount for medical examination or unintentional bleeding like a wound doen't nullify the fast.

9-Nasal sprays and nasal drops- making up and tawbah required. Eye drops inhaler, oxygen mask don't nullify the fast.

THOSE ALLOWED NOT TO FAST

1-Women in their monthly menses and postpartum bleeding must break the fast.

2-It is sunnah for the traveler to break his fast if the journey is long enough to allow shortened prayers and if fasting is difficult for him. 
3-It is allowed for a women who is pregnant or nursing to break the fast if she fears any harm on the child or herself.



AL BAQARAH 184

All types of people mentioned above must make up the days missed. The pregnant or nursing women should additionally feed a poor person for every day missed if she breaks her fast because she fears harm for the child only.

4-If a person breaks his fast because of aging or because of chronic disease from which it is not expected that he will recover, then he must feed a needy person for every day of Ramadan, and he doesn't have to make up those day.

Who ever postpones making up the days he missed until the next Ramadan due to legitimate excuse, only needs to make them up. If his postponement was not for a legitimate excuse, then he must make up the missed days in addition to feeding a needy person for each day he didn't make up.