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Fasting
(Sawm)
The observance of sawm during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is one
of the Five Pillars of Islam. The significance of Ramadan is that it was
the month on which Quran was first revealed. Sawm is the Arabic word for
fasting regulated by Islamic jurisprudence. Sawm is derived from Syriac
Sawma. Literally, it means "to abstain". In the terminology
of Islamic law, Sawm means "to abstain from eating, drinking and
sexual intercourse".
In Qur'an, this practice is mentioned as follows:
"O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you
as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.
(2:183) "
"Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran, as
a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between
right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during
that month should spend it in fasting" (2:185)
Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in
sexual intercourse from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). Fasting is essentially
an attempt to seek nearness to Allah and increase one's piety. One of
the remote aims of fasting is to sympathize with those less fortunate
ones who do not always have food and drink readily available. Also one
must try to avoid cursing and thinking evil thoughts. Fasting is also
viewed as a means of controlling one's desires (of hunger, thirst, sexuality,
anger) and focusing more on devoting oneself to God.
Sawm also carries a significant spiritual meaning. It teaches one the
principle of love: because when one observes Fasting, it is done out of
deep love for God.
Benefits of fasting
Fasting inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as Muslims can
feel and experience that which needy and hungry humans feel. However,
even the poor, needy, and hungry participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan
is a month of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together,
the latter offering more reward than if eating alone. Most importantly,
the fast is also seen as a great sign of obedience by the believer to
Allah. Faithful observance of the Sawm is believed to atone for personal
faults and misdeeds and to help earn a place in paradise.
Sawm is intended to teach believers patience and self-control in their
personal conduct, to help control passions and temper, to provide time
for meditation and to strengthen one's faith. Fasting also serves the
purpose of cleansing the inner soul and freeing it of harm.
The beginning and end of Ramadan
As said the obligatory fasting falls on the month of Ramadan. As with
every lunar month, the beginning of Ramadan can be confirmed by:
1) The new moon is seen on the night on the 29th day of the previous month,
Shabaan
2) Otherwise the next day (after Shaabaan is "normally" complete)
the Ramadan starts.
The same applies to determining the end of Ramadan too.
Prophet Muhammad said: "If you see the crescent, fast. And if
you see it at the end of the month, break your fast. If it is obscured
to you, then fast thirty days". (Muslim)
If the people of a place see the crescent they have to fast. But this
could be different for different places. It would have been an ideal thing
that all Muslims on earth fast according to one sighting, however unfortunately
this has not been materialized so far.
Timing of fasting:
Fasting is from the time Azan for Salat Al-Fajr is given to the the Azan
of Maghrib is given, which typically span from 10 to 14 hours, depending
on the geographical location.
Sahoor
It is highly recommended and common practice, even though not obligatory,
to have the night meal called Sahoor at the end of the night, just before
dawn, to gain strength for fasting during the day. Sahoor is allowed to
be taken till before the Azan for Fajr is called.
The conditions of fasting:
(1) Have intention to fast for a day even the night before. So one cannot
decide to fast a day just after waking up.
(2) Refraining from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse for the prescribed
period.
Those excused from fasting.
1) Woman on her mensus or with post -partum bleeding. (should not fast)
2) Traveller
3) Ill-person
4) Pregnant or milking mother.
What invalidates the fast
1) Intentionally eating and drinking anything
2) Intentionally vomiting
3) Intending to break fast or feeling doubts about continuing the fast.
4) Taking anal enemas or intravenous intake of foods.
5) Menstrual or post-partum bleeding.
6) Swallowing phlegm after it reaches the mouth.
7) Ejaculation of semen or prostatic fluids due to intentional acts like
masturbation, having sexual thoughts etc.
8) Cupping of blood from or to the body.
Note: All these persons should make up for the lost fasts as soon
as possible later, prefereably in successive days. If somebody had sexual
intercourse wilfully during fast, he should make up the fast later and
also atone for that act. The atonement prescribed is to free a slave,
or feed sixty poor people. If one cannot do either, he is excused from
the burden of atonement.
Taraweeh prayer: This is a sunnah prayer conducted in congregation
in mosques specially during Ramadan.See Taraweeh
for more details.
In addition, it is also necessary to abstain from any immoral acts like
ignorant and indecent speech, arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts
to preserve the sanctity of this month. Without observing these standard
obligations, Sawm is rendered useless, and is seen simply as an act of
starvation. The fasting should be a motive to be more benevolent to the
fellow-creatures. Charity to the poor and needy in this month is one of
most rewardable worship.
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