REVELATION AND WHY FASTING IS
PRESCRIBED?
ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
https://web.facebook.com/abba.abana
emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; abba.abana@gmail.com
SATURDAY 9th RAJAB 1440 AH- 16th MARCH
2019 CE
(PART 1 OF 11: RAMADAN MONTH OF FASTING)
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu
Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu. Praise
be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah
from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides
will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can
guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that
Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) is His slave and Messenger.
PREAMBLE
Revelation And
Why Fasting Is Prescribed?
1.
WHAT IS SAWM (FASTING)[1]? The Arabic word for fasting is called "sawm" in the Quran. The word sawm literally means "to abstain". Chapter Maryam of the Quran says that Mary the mother of Jesus said "I have vowed a "sawm" (fast) for the sake of the Merciful, so today I shall not speak to anyone." [Holy Quran Chapter 19:26]. According to Shariyah, the word saum (fasting) means to abstain from all those things that are forbidden during fasting from the break of dawn to the sunset, and to do this with the intention of fasting. The human mind and lofty thinking cannot reach the wisdom of the All Wise Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). Every person can grasp the deeni and dunyawi (worldly) benefits of Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala)'s commands only till where it can think loftily. The wisdom of Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is much higher than this. In the manner that all other commandments are filled with thousands of benefits, likewise is the saum (fasting), a few of its benefits are apparent and self-evident, one of which is beneficence and sympathy. One, who remains hungry, can feel what a hungry person experiences. The difficulties the hungry confront[2]. In such a state one creates a passion to help the hungry, and the feeling to help the poor is also sensed. More than this, it subdues one's animalistic passions and urges. It is stated in the hadith: "The one who cannot get married, should observe many fasts, for this will subdue his carnal passions". A major benefit of saum (fasting) is the great spiritual strength that is derived from it. For this reason, in every religion and society there was a form of saum (fasting). From among the truthful religions, since the time of Sayyidina Aadam
, saum (fasting) has been
prescribed. The second reason is this that the Messenger has a few special practices. For example, the
fasting on the days of Monday and Thursday; three days in every month; the
ayyamul beed (i.e. the 13th 14th 15th day of the Islaamic lunar month); tenth
of Muharram and the tenth of Dhul Hijjah etc. Many times because of being on a
journey, or due to some obstacles these fasts were not kept. When the obstacles
were overcome he kept these missed fast as QADAA, and also to complete his
special practices. It was also from the special habit of Messenger that whenever he began a devotion he
continually kept up the practice. Therefore whenever any fast was missed from
his special practices, he completed them by observing continuous fasts. O Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) Grant Us The
Strength To Follow His Noble Path. Ummi Salaah Radiy Allaahu 'Anha reports: "I did not observe Rasulullah Sall Allaahu
fast for two consecutive months, besides the
month of Sha'baan and Ramadhaan[3]".
2.0 GREATEST ACTS OF WORSHIP IS FASTING
In the second year
of Hijra, Muslims were commanded
to fast in the month of Ramadan every year as in chapter 2 verse 183 the Quran
says, "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was
prescribed for those who were before you, in order that you may learn Taqwah
(piety)".
The Quran further says "The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran, wherein is guidance for humankind and the clear signs of guidance and distinction. Thus whosoever among you witness the month must fast..." [Holy Quran Chapter Al-Baqarah 2:184].
Taqwah is a very important spiritual and ethical term of the Quran. It is the sum total of all Islamic spirituality and ethics. It is a quality in a believer's life that keeps him or her aware of God all the time. A person who has Taqwah loves to do good and avoid evil for the sake of God. Taqwah is piety, righteousness and consciousness of God. Taqwah requires patience and perseverance. Fasting teaches patience, and with patience one can rise to the high position of Taqwah.
The Prophet
said that fasting is a shield. It
protects a person from sin and lustful desires. When the disciples of Jesus
asked him how to cast the evil spirits away, he is reported to have said,
"But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." (i.e.
Matthew 17:21). According to Imam Al-Ghazali, fasting produces a semblance of divine quality of samadiyyah (freedom from want) in a human being. Imam Ibn Al Qayyim, viewed fasting as a means of releasing the human spirit from the clutches of desire, thus allowing moderation to prevail in the carnal self. Imam Shah Waliullah Dahlawi (d. 1762 C.E.) viewed fasting as a means of weakening the bestial and reinforcing the angelic elements in human beings. Maulana Mawdudi (d. 1979 C.E.) emphasized that fasting for a full month every year trains a person individually, and the Muslim community as a whole, in piety and self-restraint.
One of the greatest acts of worship
is fasting, which Allaah has made obligatory on His slaves, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning): “… Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is
prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may
become al-muttaqoon (the pious).” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah 2:183]. Allaah
encourages His slaves to fast: “… And that you fast, it is better for you,
if only you know.” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah 2:184 – interpretation of the
meaning]
He guides them to give thanks to Him for having made fasting
obligatory on them: “… that you should magnify Allaah for having guided you
so that you may be grateful to Him.” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah 2:185 –
interpretation of the meaning]. He has made fasting dear to them, and has
made it easy so that people do not find it too hard to give up their habits and
what they are used to. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… for a
fixed number of days…” [Holy Quran
Chapter al-Baqarah 2:184]
He has mercy on them and keeps them away from difficulties
and harm, as He says (interpretation of the meaning: “… but if any of you is
ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days…” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah 2:184].
No wonder then, that in this month the hearts of the
believers turn to their Most Merciful Lord, fearing their Lord above them, and
hoping to attain His reward and the great victory (Paradise).
As the status of this act of worship is so high, it is
essential to learn the ahkaam (rulings) that have to do with the month of
fasting so that the Muslim will know what is obligatory, in order to do it,
what is haraam, in order to avoid it, and what is permissible, so that he need
not subject himself to hardship by depriving himself of it.
Prophet
Muhammad explained this further in a number
of his statements reported in the books of Hadith. It is reported by Imam
Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Messenger of
God said, "Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no
god except Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), performing Prayer, paying the Zakat, making the
pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting during the month of
Ramadan." The entire Muslim world is unanimous in the principal of
fasting in the month of Ramadan and considers it obligatory upon every person
who is physically capable (mukallaf).
Allaah has blessed His slaves with certain seasons of
goodness, in which hasanaat (rewards for good deeds) are multiplied, sayi’aat
(bad deeds) are forgiven, people’s status is raised, the hearts of the
believers turn to their Master, those who purify themselves attain success and
those who corrupt themselves fail. Allaah has created His slaves to worship
Him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “And I (Allaah) created not
the jinns and humans except that they should worship Me (Alone).” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Dhaariyaat
51:56]
3. THE REASON WHY FASTING IS PRESCRIBED
Firstly we must note that one of
the names of Allaah is al-Hakeem (the Most Wise). The word Hakeem is
derived from the same root as hukm (ruling) and hikmah (wisdom).
Allaah alone is the One Who issues rulings, and His rulings are the most wise
and perfect.
Secondly: Allaah does not
prescribe any ruling but there is great wisdom behind it, which we may
understand, or our minds may not be guided to understand it. We may know some
of it but a great deal is hidden from us.
Thirdly: Allaah has mentioned
the reason and wisdom behind His enjoining of fasting upon us, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm
(the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you,
that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”[Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah
2:183].
Fasting is a means of attaining
taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allaah), and taqwa means doing that which
Allaah has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden.
Fasting is one of the greatest
means of helping a person to fulfil the commands of Islam.
The scholars (may Allaah
have mercy on them) have mentioned some of the reasons why fasting is
prescribed, all of which are characteristics of taqwa, but there is nothing
wrong with quoting them here, to draw the attention of fasting people to them
and make them keen to attain them.
Among the reasons behind fasting
are:
a)
Fasting is
a means that makes us appreciate and give thanks for pleasures. For fasting
means giving up eating, drinking and intercourse, which are among the greatest
pleasures. By giving them up for a short time, we begin to appreciate their
value. Because the blessings of Allaah are not recognized, but when you abstain
from them, you begin to recognize them, so this motivates you to be grateful
for them.
b)
Fasting is
a means of giving up haraam things, because if a person can give up halaal
things in order to please Allaah and for fear of His painful torment, then he
will be more likely to refrain from haraam things. So fasting is a means of
avoiding the things that Allaah has forbidden.
c)
Fasting
enables us to control our desires, because when a person is full his desires
grow, but if he is hungry then his desire becomes weak. Hence the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O young men! Whoever among
you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in
lowering the gaze and protecting one’s chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let
him fast, for it will be a shield for him.”
d)
Fasting
makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor, because when the fasting
person tastes the pain of hunger for a while, he remembers those who are in
this situation all the time, so he will hasten to do acts of kindness to them
and show compassion towards them. So fasting is a means of feeling empathy with
the poor.
e)
Fasting
humiliates and weakens the Shaytaan; it weakens the effects of his whispers
(waswaas) on a person and reduces his sins. That is because the Shaytaan “flows
through the son of Adam like blood” as the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said, but fasting narrows the passages through which the
Shaytaan flows, so his influence grows less. Shaykh al-Islam said in Majmoo’
al-Fataawa, 25/246
Undoubtedly blood is created from food and drink, so when a person eats
and drinks, the passages through which the devils flow – which is the blood –
become wide. But if a person fasts, the passages through which the devils flow
become narrow, so hearts are motivated to do good deeds, and to give up evil
deeds.
f)
The
fasting person is training himself to remember that Allaah is always watching,
so he gives up the things that he desires even though he is able to take them,
because he knows that Allaah can see him.
g)
Fasting
means developing an attitude of asceticism towards this world and its desires,
and seeking that which is with Allaah.
h)
It makes
the Muslim get used to doing a great deal of acts of worship, because the
fasting person usually does more acts of worship and gets used to that.
These are some of the reasons why
fasting is enjoined. We ask Allaah to help us to achieve them and to worship
Him properly. See Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 116; Ibn al-Qayyim’s
footnotes on al-Rawd al-Murabba’, 3/344; al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah,
28/9[4]. And
Allaah knows best.
4
THE REASON FOR THE REVELATION OF VERSE 35 OF SURAH 33 (REF TO SAUM HERE)
Imam
Ahmad recorded that Umm Salamah, may Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) be pleased
with her, the wife of the Prophet said, "I said to the Prophet, `Why is it
that we are not mentioned in the Qur'an as men are?'
Then
one day without my realizing it, he was calling from the Minbar and I
was combing my hair, so I tied my hair back then I went out to my chamber in my
house, and I started listening out, and he was saying from the Minbar: (O
people! Verily Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) says): ‘’Verily, the Muslims:
men and women, the believers: men and women...) to the end of the Ayah.''
Sa`id
bin Jubayr said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and three days of each
month, is included in the Ayah, (the men and the women who fast),''
Fasting
is also one of the greatest means of overcoming one's desires, as the Messenger
of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) said: O young men! Whoever among you can afford
to get married, let him do so, for it is most effective in lowering the gaze
and protecting the chastity? And whoever cannot get married, then let him fast,
for it will be a protection for him.
Here
Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) tells us that for all of those mentioned in this Ayah,
He has prepared for them forgiveness of their sins and a great reward, meaning,
Paradise.
The
men and women who observe fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional
Nawafil fasting is our topic of discussion.
إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
وَالْمُسْلِمَـتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَـتِ وَالْقَـنِتِينَ
وَالْقَـنِتَـتِ وَالصَّـدِقِينَ وَالصَّـدِقَـتِ وَالصَّـبِرِينَ وَالصَّـبِرَتِ
وَالْخَـشِعِينَ وَالْخَـشِعَـتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ
وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَـتِوالصَّـئِمِينَ والصَّـئِمَـتِ وَالْحَـفِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ
وَالْحَـفِـظَـتِ وَالذَكِـرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيراً وَالذَكِرَتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ
لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْراً عَظِيماً
Holy Quran Chapter 33:35 Verily,
the Muslims: men and women, the believers: men and women, the Qanit: men and
the women, the men and women who are truthful, the men and the women who are
patient, the Khashi`: men and the women, the men and the women who give
Sadaqat, the men and the women who
fast, the men and the women who guard their chastity and the men and
the women who remember Allaah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta’ala) much with their hearts and tongues,
Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has prepared for them forgiveness and a
great reward.
5 THE ORDER TO
FAST (HOLY QURAN CHAPTER 2:183 – 185)
In
an address to the believers of this Ummah, Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) ordered
them to fast, that is, to abstain from food, drink and sexual activity with the
intention of doing so sincerely for Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) the Exalted
alone. This is because fasting purifies the souls and cleanses them from the
evil that might mix with them and their ill behavior.
Allaah
(Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) mentioned that He has ordained fasting for Muslims just
as He ordained it for those before them, they being an example for them in
that, so they should vigorously perform this obligation more obediently than
the previous nations.
To
each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allaah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta’ala) had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may
test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. (Holy Quran Chapter 5:48).
O
you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those
before you, that you may have Taqwa. Since the fast cleanses the body
and narrows the paths of Shaytan.
O
young people! Whoever amongst you can afford marriage, let him marry. Whoever
cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.
Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) states that the
fast occurs during a fixed number of days, so that it does not become hard on
the hearts, thereby weakening their resolve and endurance.
يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ
عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ
تَتَّقُونَ
Holy Quran Chapter 2:183 O you who believe! Fasting
is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may
acquire Taqwah.
أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم
مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
Holy Quran Chapter 2:184 Fast for a fixed number of days, but if any of
you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other
days.
وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ
مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ
And as for those who can fast with difficulty,
(e.g., an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin
(poor person) (for every day).
خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ
خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
But
whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that your fast
is better for you if only you know.
6
THE STAGES OF FASTING
Al-Bukhari
and Muslim recorded that Aishah (RA) said, "(The day of) `Ashura'
was a day of fasting. When the obligation to fast Ramadan was revealed, those
who wished fasted, and those who wished did not.''
Al-Bukhari
recorded the same from Ibn `Umar and Ibn Mas`ud.
Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) said: ‘’those who
can fast with difficulty, (e.g., an old man), they have (a choice either to
fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day)’’.
Mu`adh
commented, "In the beginning, those who wished, fasted and those who
wished, did not fast and fed a poor person for each day.''
Al-
Bukhari recorded Salamah bin Al-Akwa saying that; when the Ayah was revealed, those who
did not wish to fast, used to pay the Fidyah (feeding a poor person for
each day they did not fast) until the following Ayah (Holy Quran Chapter 2:185) was
revealed abrogating the previous Ayah.
It
was also reported from Ubaydullah from Nafi that Ibn Umar said;
"It
was abrogated.'' As-Suddi reported that Murrah narrated that Abdullah said
about this Ayah:
"It
means `those who find it difficult (to fast).' Formerly, those who wished,
fasted and those who wished, did not but fed a poor person instead.''
Allaah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) then said: ’’But whoever
does good of his own accord, meaning whoever fed an extra poor person. it is
better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know.
Later
the Ayah: فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ
فَلْيَصُمْهُ (So whoever of you sights (the
crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e., is present
at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasting) that month) (2:185) was
revealed and this abrogated the previous Ayah
(2:184).
To be continued Part 2 of 11:
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) Intends
Ease And Not Hardship For Fasting People
[1] Siyaam
in Arabic means abstaining; in Islam it means abstaining from things that break
the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah)
to fast.
[2] Maulana
Rumi explains this in the following couplets: 'This love which the people
have today, is not the love which good people have. This is a mischief to fill
the stomach. When the stomach is filled, then unlawful deeds come to mind. And
when the stomach is empty and full of hunger, then love and its kind are all
forgotten'.
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