INTRODUCTION

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory on every Muslim adult. The Arabic word sawm is used for fasting. The word sawm (plural siyam) literally means 'to refrain', but as an Islamic term, it means refraining from food, drinks and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. Allah says in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2-183):

'O you who believe, siyam is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become self-restrained.'

The importance of Siyam in Ramadan is clearly expressed in several sayings of the Prophet(S.A.W.). It is reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said:

'He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al- Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.' (Bukhari and Muslim)

Fasting in Ramadan is practiced by Muslims all over the world. The most significant aspect of Siyam is the development of Allah-consciousness (Taqwa) in the heart and the soul of a fasting Muslim. One must abstain from immoral behavior and attitude as well. Refraining from food and such is essential during fast but it is not sufficient. The Prophet of Allah is reported to have said:

'If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink.' (Al-Bukhari)

WHAT IS RAMADAN ?

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran about the month of Ramadan :-

"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs) for guidance and Judgement (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, 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." (Al-Baqarah / 185)

Moreover Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has described this specific month as follows :-

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained. (Al-Bukhari No 1765)

There is no doubt that the month of Ramadan conceals tremendous benefits for those who fast and observe recommended voluntary actions within it.

WHY DO MUSLIMS FAST ?

This is a common but interesting question which a child may ask his/her parents. Non-Muslim may also pose it to a Muslim. Here are some possible reasons why Muslims observe a one-month fast during Ramadan.

(1) To obey Allah's injunction

Fundamental to a Muslim's faith (or belief) are six articles:

Articles (i) and (iii) demand that a Muslim must believe in, obey and implement, all the words of Allah contained in the Holy Qur'an. Almighty Allah thus says :-

"This is the book; in it is guidance, sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;" (Al-Baqarah / 2)

"This Quran is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the Worlds." (Yunus / 37)

"Allah ! there is no god but He : of a surety He will gather you together against the Day of Judgement, about which there is no doubt. And whose word can be truer than Allah's." (An-Nisaa / 87)

"The word of thy Lord doth find its fulfilment in truth and justice : none can change His Words for He is the One who Heareth and Knoweth all." (Al-An'am / 115)

Thematically, Qur'an contains injunctions for mankind, allegories, stories of past events, accounts of future events, and a lot of lessons especially for Muslims. Of importance the injunctions are sometime directed to all creatures (men and jinns), or sometime to specific gender (men or women), or sometime to specific tribes (eg "Bani Israel"), or sometime to the progeny of Adam (i.e mankind), or sometime to Ahl-ul kitaab (the people of the book), or sometime to Muslims (i.e those who believe in One Allah) etc. All the injunctions of Allah to Muslims are blessings and mercy from Himself and when fully obeyed undoubtedly lead them to His straight path.

In truth, there is no compromise with Allah's injunctions such that every sincere and God-fearing Muslim must obey them; this is a necessary precondition for being a Muslim. Thus, one of His injunctions, directed to Muslims (men and women), concerns fasting in the month of Ramadan.

Injunction to fast during Ramadan

The Holy Quran further states :-

"O ye who believe ! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint, " (Al-Baqarah / 183)

The phrase "O you who believe" is referring to: (i) those who submit to Allah's wills and commands, (ii) those who believe in the six articles of faith, (iii) those who testify that "La ilaha illa llaha Muhammadu-r Rasululla", (iv) those who practise the five pillars of Islam, and (v) those who implement and obey Allah's injunctions in the Qur'an and follow the sunnah of His Prophet, Muhammad (s.a.w). No followers of any religions satisfy these criteria of "O you who believe" except the Muslims. It is they (Muslims) that Allah is directing His injunction in 2:183 to. The injunction prescribed fasting as a compulsory duty for them thus:

"...fasting is prescribed for you (Muslims)..." (2:183)

and

"...whoever witnesses the month of Ramadan should fast through it..." (2:185)

Clearly, fasting in Ramadan is a divine injunction, mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims who are free from compelling excuses. Whoever deliberately forgoes fasting in Ramadan, should know that (s)he has disobeyed Allah's injunction and no amount of fasting thereafter can give her/him a reward equivalent to one missed Ramadan fast as obvious from the following hadith.

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet(s.a.w) said: "whoever did not fast one day of Ramadan without a genuine excuse or a disease then even if he fasted for a complete year, it would not compensate for that (missed Ramadan) day" (Sahih al-Bukhari, vol 3,p.88)

(2) To practice the tradition, and way of the pious people.

Fasting is not new to Islam; it is, indeed, as old as Adam(a.s) who was the first creature and the first Muslim to submit to one Allah. No one knows precisely when fasting began among Adam's progenies but it is the practice of all the Prophets of Allah and their followers. Qur'an mentions that Musa(a.s) fasted for 40 days (see 2:51) (this is what the Jews termed "Jewish Passover") and the Prophet(s.a.w) told us that Dawud(a.s) used to fast for half of the year (this involves fasting on every alternate day). 'Issa (a.s) (or Jesus) was also reported to have fasted for 40 days (this is what the christians termed "the Lent", usually observed before Easter festival). Since these Prophets were Muslims, it can be seen that by asking Muslims to fast, Allah intends to draw their attention to the practice and tradition of those pious predecessors who attained piety (in His sight) through fasting.

"O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for people before you ..."(2:183)

This verse shows that fasting was observed by the people (i.e "ahl-ul kitaab") who came to the scene before the Muslims and so it is a "sunnat Allah" (i.e a tradition approved by Allah) for those who lived aforetime and for the Muslims who are now the best generation ever raised for mankind (3:110). Qur'an says:

"(As for) the sunnat Allah (approved) for those who lived aforetime, no change will you find in (such) sunnat-Allah" (33:43)

Therefore, Ramadan fast should be seen as a propagation of the tradition approved by Allah for all those who submit to Him.

(3) To learn how to attain piety

By the very nature of human beings, they are susceptible to sins and transgression of Allah's limits. This may be due to their ignorance, worldly struggle for ephemeral and tantalizing things, or satan's handiwork. In particular, Muslims are warned against gossiping, backbiting, slandering, hypocrisying, lying, cheating, duping, hatring, nursing grudge, keeping malice, fornicating as these vices negate the teachings of the Holy Qur'an.

Ramadan as a Training Month

The Blessed month of Ramadan is a training period whereby muslims are encouraged to do good deeds, restrain from habitual and reprehensible deeds. Allah, the Almighty has thus ordained special rewards for any good action or thought done during this month, thus encouraging muslims to excel in good actions and thoughts.

The virtues of fasting and other recommended actions by the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) teaches muslims how to put an end to vices, bad habits and faults in character, appreciate those virtues and get nearer to Allah. Hence during Ramadan,

(a) compulsory five daily salaat are observed regularly and timely (this is to remind and train the mindless Muslims that salaat is an all-time duty for them);

b) Zakat-Ul Fitr is paid on or before the 'Id-Ul Fitr (the festival that commemorates the end of Ramadan fast) (Zakat-Ul Fitr is to teach Muslims to do sadaqah, help less fortunate ones and avoid niggardliness and also to remind them that after Zakat-Ul Fitr, they should not forget to pay on time their annual divine obligatory Zakaat, the fourth pillar of Islam);

(c) Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers are observed in the evening and night of Ramadan (this is to teach Muslims to observe nawafil (i.e additional) prayers after Ramadan so as to increase their imaan and get their supplications to Allah accepted promptly);

(d) Doubtful hobby such as smoking is stopped (this is to train Muslims to be frugal as Allah hates extravagancy and to save themselves from diseases such as Tuberclosis, Cancer, and heart attack known to be associated with smoking and premature death);

(e) Indecent videos/pictures are avoided and kept away (this is to free Muslims' hearts and eyes from corruption and from shaitan's whisperings to do evil deeds);

(f) Excessive intake of food is avoided (this regulates the stomach from being pot-bellied and distinguishes Muslims from kaafir whom Qur'an describes as those who eat like cattle (47:12)); etc. All these good things which Ramadan fast teaches Muslims are the means to attain piety. This is why the verse on Ramadan fast says:

"O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you...so that you will (learn how to attain) piety" (2:183)

(4) To benefit from the voluntary congregational night prayers (Taraweeh)

The Blessed Month of Ramadan is also marked with congregational optional daily prayers (Salaat-ul Taraweeh) after the Night Prayer (Salat-ul I'sha). The practice of performing Taraweeh was strongly encouraged but not ordered, as demonstrated by the hadith below, during Ramadan by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Abu Hurayrah (r.a) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) said : 'Anybody who gets up to offer voluntary prayer during the month of Ramadhan with deep sense of belief and self-scrutiny will have his previous sins remitted.' (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah (r.a) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) only used to persuade people to offer voluntary prayer during the month of Ramadhan but would not order for its observance (so that this may not become an obligatory prayer). He (s.a.w) said : ' One who gets up for voluntary prayer during Ramadhan with deep sense for his faith and self-scrutiny, will have his past sins remitted.' (Muslim)

The virtues and importance of extra voluntary prayers (Taraweeh) during the month of Ramadan, are established from the sayings ans actions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w). But during his (s.a.w) lifetime, its observance as Taraweeh was not enforced so that the same may not become an obligatory duty. After the passing away of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w), when there was no danger of its becoming a Fardh (compulsory act), Umar Farooq (r.a) with the agreement of pious companions introduced it as a voluntary prayer in congregation.

(5) To benefit from the Last Ten days of Ramadan

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) used to accentuate his efforts in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan. He (s.a.w) has encouraged his immedaite family, companions and all those who believe in Allah (s.w.t) as Only Lord and Muhammad (s.a.w) as messenger to exploit the virtues and benefits of these last ten days. It is thus reported :

A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: When the last ten nights began Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) kept awake at night (for Prayer and devotion), wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe Prayer (with more vigor). (Al-Bukhari No 1884)

Furthermore,

'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time. (Al-Bukhari No 1884, Muslim No 2009 and Tirmizi No 726)

Performance of I'tikaf (Seclusion in the mosque)

It is important to mention at this point, in order to show the need to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in constant worship, that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) used to perform I'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque) during the last ten days of Ramadan. The following hadiths illustrate this point :

Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. (Al-Bukhari No 1885, Muslim No 2002)

'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan . (Al-Bukhari Nos 1892, 1893, 1900 and 1904)

Abu Hurayrah (r.a) says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) retired to the mosque for ten days every year in the month of Ramadhan, but in the last year of his life he retired to the mosque for twenty days. (Al-Bukahri).

Let those who can, perform I'tikaf as the benefits from retiring to the mosque for Allah's worship and away from the daily routine during Ramadan is only as such as Allah, The Merciful knows the full extent.

Muslims should therefore look forward to doing much charity (Sadaqa), voluntary (Naafila) and night prayers (Tahajjud), remembrance of Allah (Zikr), repentance (Asta'ghfar) and seeking of Allah's mercy particularly during these last ten days. The importance of the last ten days is also emphasised through the revelation of the Holy Quran in the Night of Power (Lailat-ut Qadr) in it as discussed below.

(6) To reap the full reward of the Night of Power (Lailat-ut Qadr)

The last book of Allah to His creatures, Al-Qur'an, was revealed in the night of Ramadan. What this means is that the first divine revelation to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) took place in the Night of Ramadan. Allah chose the night because of the special blessings in it. It is called the Night of Power (Lailat-ut Qadr) or the Night of Blessing (Lailat-ul Mubarak). The deed in this night is better than the rewards of deeds of 1,000 months (about 83.3 years).

Let suppose that a man survived up to 100 years and he consciously witnessed 93 nights of Power, he would have in his account more than 7,750 rewards which exclude all other rewards he earned from doing virtuous deeds. It is this night that all Muslims are invited by Allah to look for in the month of Ramadan. Specifically, the night is in the last ten days of Ramadan and usually in one of the odd days (i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29th). A Muslim is expected to perform naafilah, recite the Qur'an, do zikr etc in the night. Since no one knows precisely which of the odd days is the night, Muslims are expected to be in seclusion (itikaf) during the last 10 days of Ramadan and the best place to do so is in the mosque.

'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Look for Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan. (Al-Bukhari No 1878)

'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: When the last ten nights began Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) kept awake at night (for Prayer and devotion), wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe Prayer (with more vigor). (Al-Bukhari No 1884)

It should be mentioned that the Angels descend in succession during the night of Power and they go round with special greeting of "peace" till day break when they will move back to their position. The number of these angels is uncountable and they descend with special command of Allah. The following chapter of the Qur'an details the event of the night of Power thus:

"Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: (they say) Peace" (continuously) till the rise of Morning!" (97:1-5)

Who will like to miss the Night after reading this description? It is this very reason that every Muslim wants to witness and reap its full blessing by fasting during the days of the month of Ramadan. As Ramadan fast is inextricably tied to the Night of Power (see 2:183) it follows that any Muslim who wishes to benefit from the Night of Power must fast during the month of Ramadan. Qur'an says:

"Ramadan is the (month) in which Qur'an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, and a clear guidance and judgement (so that mankind will distinguish right from wrong). Whoever among you witnesses the month of Ramadan should fast through it..." (2:183)

(7) Highly-recommended Actions during Ramadan

It is recommended to partake of a light meal (suhoor) prior to commencing the fast. The fast begins at first light and ends at sunset.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) has said :

' Eat some food before the fast begins, there is blessing in its partaking. ' (Bukhari and Muslim)

' Zaid, the son of Thabit related: ;We partook of suhoor (food before the commencement of the fast) during Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah and then stood up for prayer. He (s.a.w) was asked what was the interval of time between the two, so he (s.a.w) replied: 'The time it takes to recite fifty verses (of the Quran).'

' The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ;My nation will remain in goodness as long as they break the fast as soon as it is due.' (Muslim)

It is a time of happiness and refreshment after experiencing the pangs of hunger and thirst. It is usually broken with dates and in many cultures a light soup with bread or small side dishes. Breaking the fast is followed immediately by the evening obligatory prayer.

Muhammad (s.a.w) has taught us to ask Allah (s.w.t) duah just before breaking of the fast since the prayers of a fasting believer is not rejected at that time by Allah (s.w.t). Furthermore, he (s.a.w) has shown us not to delay in breaking the fast. This is also a most pleasing action in the sight of Allah, The Merciful.

' When evening approaches from this side (east) and the day retreats from this side (west) and the sun has set, the one who is fasting breaks his fast. ' (Bukhari and Muslim)

' Break your fast with a date, or with water because it is pure. ' (Abu Daud and Tirmidhi)

' The Prophet (s) said: By Him in whose Hands is the life of Muhammad, the breath of one who is fasting is better with Allah than the fragrance of musk.'

' Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet (s.a.w) was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).' (Bukhari)

' Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" (Bukhari)

It was the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to recite the entirety of the Holy Quran during the month of Ramadan, and in his last year of life (s.a.w), he recited it twice. Dear Muslims, the frequent recitation of the Holy Quran during Ramadan is a necessity for all those who wishes to get maximum benefit from it.

(8) To show to Muslims how to get their past sins forgiven

Islam is a religion that stresses equality: both the poor and the rich (men or women) are equal as slaves in the sight of Allah. In Islam the surest way to obtain Allah's forgiveness for one's past sins is Pilgrimage (the fifth pillar of Islam) which unfortunately is easy for the rich to afford the cost of the journey. The All-wise, Allah, did not put the poor Muslims in limbo, rather He made fasting during Ramadan as a means of placing the poor and the rich on equal footing in terms of asking for forgiveness for their past sins. If a Muslim has no means of going for hajj, there should be a way to compensate him/her. The All-wise has chosen Ramadan for all Muslims to get their past sins forgiven as evident in this hadith:

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:"... whoever fasts during Ramadan with sincere faith and hoping for his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven"

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol.3 p.70).

Therefore, Ramadan fast unites Muslims and bring them together as equal slaves who can be forgiven of their past sins devoid of discrimination in the sight of Allah.

(9) To show that Fasting is the epitome of the five pillars of Islam

Islam is built upon five pillars. The third pillar is siyam (i.e fasting during Ramadan). The wisdom behind its third position is because it is a fulcrom upon which the other four pillars (Tawheed, and salaat are in first and second positions while zakat and Hajj are in the fourth and fifth positions) are balanced. It is the only pillar that encompases all the four other pillars in the sense that:

(a) before one observes fast, s(he) must be a Muslim, sane, matured, and free from excuses (such as menstruation, illness, travelling long-distances, child-birth bleeding, etc). And since a Muslim is required to proclaim Shahada (i.e Tawheed, the first pillar of Islam), fasting is directly tied to shahada.

(b) Salaat is the second pillar of Islam that delineates a Muslim from one who is not; this means that a Muslim must observe salaat regularly to become a true Muslim. It follows that fasting during Ramadan without regular salaat is like using a spoon to fill a porous basket with water.

(c) Zakat (the compulsory divine tax) is aimed to redistribute the Muslims' wealth so that the gap between the rich and the poor is bridged to a certain extent. In Ramadan, every fasting Muslim, who is free from insanity, bondage etc, must pay Zakat-ul fitr on or before the 'Idl Fitr day. Zakaat-ul fitr is in some sense a low-profile zakat, though aimed to achieve similar result, is completely different from zakat.

(d) Hajj is a duty which Muslims owe to Allah and it is to help the pilgrims to get their past sins forgiven.

Coincidently, fasting during Ramadan has the same result. From the foregoing, it can be concluded that fasting is an epitome of the pillars of Islam. Therefore, every able-bodied Muslim must fast to learn how the other four pillars operate.

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM SAWM?

Fasting is mandatory on every Muslim who is sane, adult, able and resident. The following exemptions apply:

Allah, the All-Wise says in the Qur'an :-

"...But if anyone 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...." (Al-Baqarah / 185)

DURATION OF SAWM

Fasting starts everyday in Ramadan at the break of dawn, which is also the start of the Salatul Fajr time. Allah, the Creator of the Universe says in Surah Al-Baqarah (verse 187) :-

"..., and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears;..."

Fasting ends at sunset or with the call of Salatul Maghrib.

'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When the night approaches and the day retreats and the sun sinks down, then the observer of the Fast should break it. (Al-Bukhari No 1818)

VALIDITY OF FASTING

The validity of fasting depends on the following:

THINGS WHICH INVALIDATE FASTING

The things which invalidate fast are of two kinds.

Action or thought which requires Qada only :-

Action or thought which not only require Qada but also Kaffarah :-

Before the days of the Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.), slavery was a common practice in the Arab world. Islam eliminated slavery from the society in a very short period of time. A useful approach was to allow people free a slave as a charity or as a penalty for a sin. Thus during the time of the Prophet(S.A.W.), setting a slave free was the penalty one must pay as a kaffarah, if he or she had a slave.

THINGS THAT DO NOT BREAK FASTING

Breaking of fast under exceptional conditions

Muslims are permitted to break the ordained fast of Ramadan when there is danger to their health. In this situation a Muslim should make up his fast later at any other time of the year.

May Allah give us His support in this world and in the hereafter and give us strength and good health to be able to fast and benefit fully from the Blessed Month of Ramadan.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Reference : "Every Day Fiqh" by Maulana Yusuf Islahi, translated by Abdul Aziz Kamal.

Courtesy : Islamic Information & News Network (IINN) (Muslims@Psuvm.Bitnet) Vol.4 No.43

And all those who have directly or indirectly contributed to the above.

All Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds and Peace and Blessings be upon the Last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (s.a.w), his family, his companions and all those who follow him until the Day of Judgement.