AS_SAWM(FASTING)

As extracted from Wikipedia, in Islam, fasting (known as Sawm, Arabic: صوم‎; Arabic pronunciation: [sˤawm]. Or Siyam, Arabic: صيام‎; Arabic accent: [sˤijaːm], also commonly known as Rūzeh or Rōzah, Persian: روزه in non-Arab Muslim countries) is the practice of abstaining, usually from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity. During the holy month of Ramadan, Sawm is observed between dawn and nightfall when the adhan of the Maghrib prayer is sounded. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar and fasting is a requirement for Muslims as it is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam.

Fasting is not just for Muslims; it has long been a practice in many other religions as well, including Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Taoism. According to the Quran, Allah declares,

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may be more pious.” (Quran 2:183)

FASTING IN THE HOLY QUR’AN

The act of fasting is referenced in the Quran. Verse 2:183 of the Quran describes circumstances in which a Muslim is permitted to skip a fast and provides other measures like providing food for the poor. Verse 2:183–185 also emphasizes that fasting is not required for those who are ill or on the road. Until “another equal number of days,” it may be delayed. Fasting can be used to atone for specific sins, such as killing an animal when in the condition of “ihram,” according to verse 5:95. The Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan, according to verse 2:185 of the Quran.

You who believe, ‘O! It is commanded for you to fast, just as it was commanded for those who came before you, so that you may ward off (evil). You are to fast for a certain number of days, and for anyone who is ill among you or traveling, you are to fast for an additional number of days. For those who can afford it, there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need, but whoever does good of his own volition, it is better for him. And if you only (of right and wrong). Whoever is present should observe a monthlong fast, and whoever is ill or traveling should observe a similar number of additional days. God wants you to have it easy; He doesn’t want you to go through difficulty. He also wants you to finish the task at hand, thank God for guiding you, and maybe even be grateful. And you will know that I am close by when My slaves inquire of you about Me. When a person calls out to Me in prayer, I hear them. In order for them to be led correctly, let them hear My call and place their trust in Me. You are now allowed to sleep with your wives on the fast night. You are their clothing, and they are your clothing. God has turned to you in mercy and released you since He is aware that you were deluding yourself in this regard. Therefore, engage in conversation with them, pursue the things God has planned for you, and eat and drink until the white thread begins to stand out to you in contrast to the black thread of daybreak. Then rigorously maintain the fast until dusk, and do not touch them when attending prayers in mosques. God has set certain restrictions; do not cross them. God explains His revelation to people in this way so they might protect themselves (evil). — Quran 2:183-187“

OTHER TYPES OF OBLIGATORY FASTING

Perform the pilgrimage and the visit for God. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. ‘And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to God, and know that God is severe in punishment. — Quran 2:196

O you who have faith! While you are on the pilgrimage, do not kill any wild animals. “Whoever of you killeth it for a predetermined purpose he shall pay its forfeit in the equivalent of that which he hath killed of domestic animals, the judge to be two men among you known for justice, (the forfeit) to be brought as an offering to the Ka’bah; or, for expiation, he shall feed the needy, or the equivalent thereof in fasting,” so that he may taste the evil consequences of his deed. Whatever (of this type) may have occurred in the past, God will forgive; nevertheless, if a person relapses, God will exact vengeance on him. God is powerful and able to repay (the wrong). — Quran 5:95

CONDITIONS FOR FASTING

Intention (niyyah)

“The intention (niyyah) means resolving to fast. It is essential to have the intention the night before, night by night, in Ramadaan.” For fasting, the intention is necessary.

General conditions

Muslims will refrain from engaging in certain activities that the Quran otherwise permits, including eating, drinking, and having sexual relations, for the period of the fast. This is in addition to the general requirement that Muslims currently observe of abstaining from actions that are prohibited by the Quran or shari’a law (e.g. ignorant and indecent speech, arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts). Sawm is deemed meaningless if this basic requirement is not followed and is instead viewed as a hunger act. Fasting should serve as a catalyst for improving one’s compassion for all living things. One of the most fruitful acts of worship during this month is giving to the needy and disadvantaged.

One is deemed free from fasting if they are ill, pregnant, in menstruation, breastfeeding, or travelling. Fasts that are interrupted or skipped because of illness, pregnancy, menstruation, nursing, or travel are not made up until the end of the next Ramadan. Women who are menstruating, pregnant, or nursing are also permitted to break the fast, but this must be made up by paying a Fidyah, which is essentially the Iftar and Suhur for a fasting person who needs such financial assistance. According to the Quran, not fasting is only permitted when the act is potentially dangerous to one’s health.

According to Muslim authorities, menstruating women are not permitted to observe the fast. But when her menstruation has stopped, a lady must take a bath and keep fasting. She must make up any missed or interrupted fasts because of her period as soon as she can before the following Ramadan (not all Muslims believe missing fasts due to menstruation must be made up). Since the Quran says that both men and women are required to perform all Islamic duties, women are required to fast during periods. This is due to the Quran’s description of menstruation, which is “Say: It is a discomfort(Menstruation)” The suffering involved in it, according to Nouman Ali Khan, an American Muslim speaker, is the rationale behind this prohibition. A Muslim woman may still do dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and make dua (supplication to Allah) during this time.

Fasting is obligatory for a person if they fulfill five conditions:

  1. They are a Muslims.
  2. They are accountable (Islamic past the age of puberty).
  3. They are able to fast.
  4. They are settled (not traveling).
  5. There are no impediments to fasting such as sickness, extreme pain from injury, breastfeeding, or pregnancy.

Breaking the fast and the consequences

During Ramadan, if one unintentionally breaks the fast by eating or drinking, then they must continue fasting for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. Those who intentionally break the fast by eating or drinking, they have to make up for that and also repent. For breaking fast by having sexual intercourse, the consequences are:

  1. Free a slave, and if that is not possible.
  2. Fast for two consecutive Hijri (moon) months, and if that’s not possible.
  3. Feed or clothe sixty people in need.

During voluntary fasts, if one unintentionally breaks the fast then they may continue for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. If one intentionally breaks the fast there is no sin on them, because it is only voluntary.

Days of Fasting

Month of Ramadan

Main article: Fasting during Ramadan

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered Fard. Ibn Qudamah said that there is consensus of Muslims that fasting is compulsory in the month of Ramadan.

Days of oath

If someone swears or makes an oath, for example: “If I graduate with a good mark, I will fast for three days for Allah” then common belief dictates that one should fulfill this. This type of fasting is considered obligatory. Breaking such an oath is considered sinful.

Days for voluntary fasting

Muslims are encouraged, although not obliged, such as:

  1. Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.
  2. any 6 days in the lunar or “Islamic” month of Shawwal is desirable if possible.The White Days, the 13th, 14th, and 15th day of each lunar month (Hijri).
  3. the Day of Arafah (9th of Dhu’I-Hijja in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar).
  4. As often as possible in the months of Rajab and Sha’aban before Ramadan.
  5. First 9 days of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar (but not for any who are performing Hajj (the pilgrimage).
  6. Tasua (9th day) and Ashura (10th day) of Muharram.

Days when fasting is forbidden

Although fasting is considered a pious act in Islam, there are times when fasting is considered prohibited or discouraged according to the majority of the sunni scholars:

  1. Eid al-Adha and three days following it, because Muhammad said “You are not to fast these days. They are days of eating and drinking and remembering Allah”, reported Abu Hurairah.
  2. Eid al-Fitr
  3. It is also forbidden to single out Fridays and only fast every Friday, as ‘Abdullah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As said that he heard Muhammad say “Verily, Friday is an eid (holiday) for you, so do not fast on it unless you fast the day before or after it.”
  4. Fasting every day of the year is considered non-rewarding; Muhammad said: “There is no reward for fasting for the one who perpetually fasts.” This Hadith is considered authentic by the Sunni scholars.

The Quran contains no other prohibition regarding the days of fasting.