Saum (Fasting)

Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. It has been an

integral part of all major religions. The Prophet Jesus
(peace be upon him) fasted for forty days before he
was called to prophethood (Matthew 4:2). Similarly
Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) fasted for forty
days and nights before he was given the Law
(Exodus 24:18).

Controlling Desires.... Fasting in Ramadan is a part of

the broader program that Islam prescribes for man to
fulfill his moral and spiritual destiny in this world and
in the Hereafter. It is the special worship designed to
develop in man the ability to exercise self-restraint
and patience for the pleasure of Allah, man's Creator,
Lord and Nourisher. Its objective is to give man the
power to keep in check his unruly desires and
tendencies that make him prone to greed, revenge,
anger, provocation and fear; that make him commit
various sins, acts of aggression, cruelty and
oppression. It seeks to free the human soul and lends
it the moral and spiritual strength to promote beauty,
harmony, kindness, peace, compassion and justice.
The Qur'an says:
" We sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent
down with them the Book and the balance (of right
and wrong), that men may stand forth in justice."
(57:25)

Fasting for Taqwa.... Prescribing fasting the Qur'an

says:
"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it
was to those before you, that you may (learn) self-
restraint." (2:183)

The original Arabic word translated here as self-

restraint is taqwa, which has a much broader
significance. It symbolizes that basic mortal quality
that demarcates the line between morality and
amorality, and distinguishes humans from animals as
moral beings. It represents love of good with an
eagerness to respond to it, and a strong desire to
keep away from what is evil and harmful. Those who
are neutral or immune to questions of good and bad,
justice and injustice, compassion and cruelty, loyalty
and treachery are in the words of the Qur'an like the
blind, deaf, and dumb cattle, whose only concern in
life is to fill their stomachs."They have hearts
wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they
see not, and ears wherewith they hear not."

Developing Taqwa.... This moral quality is nourished

and can be developed only by controlling and
keeping in check one's desires, impulses, and
emotions and that is precisely what fasting is
prescribed to achieve. The Arabic word for fasting
used in the above verse is siyam which means to
leave something or to avoid it. In the light of this,
Islamic fasting may be defined as the worship in
which man willingly forsakes his quite legitimate
needs like eating, drinking and other lawful pleasures
in compliance with the commandment of god, every
day for a whole month, Ramadan, the ninth month in
the Islamic calendar. Thus Islamic fasting is not
merely leaving all that is evil. The Prophet
Muhammad(pbuh) said: "When one of you is fasting
and someone abuses him or fights with him, he
should tell him `I cannot respond to you for I am
fasting.'" On another occasion he said "He who does
not leave evil only gets thirst and hunger from
fasting."

Through fasting we seek closeness to God by

obeying him sincerely and carrying out his will in our
daily life, our actions and thoughts, till our days and
nights bear witness that He is dearer to us than
anything else. Look at the time schedule of a believer
during this month; getting up early before dawn for a
light snack, stopping all eating and drinking all day,
being anxious to devote himself to prayers and
adoration of God, eagerness to do good and eschew
evil, and during the nights of this month to stand in
prayer for hours, sacrificing sleep and comfort,
offering special extra prayers: more or less like one
of a soldier under rigorous training. The only
difference here is that it is not just one physical
battle he is training for, but an all-comprehensive
and continuous war against evil, both from within
and without.

Special Rewards..... It is well known that Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH) regularly observed fasting in
other parts of the year besides Ramadan, and he
always exhorted his followers to do the same. But it
is in the month of Ramadan when the entire Muslim
community all over the world observes fasting that a
special meaning emerges. It transforms fasting into
an institution that elevates the human soul to
unprecedented heights. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Every good deed is rewarded from ten to seven
hundred times over, but God says fasting is the
exception; it is for Me, and My servant forgoes his
eating and drinking for my sake, so I Myself will
reward My servant for it."

Gift of Qur'an...... Association of fasting with the

month of Ramadan reminds us that it was during this
month that Allah perfected His blessing upon
mankind by giving us His last book, the Qur'an.
"Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the
Qur'an as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for
guidance and judgement (between right and wrong).
So everyone of you who is present (at home) during
that month should spend it in fasting." (The Qur'an,
2:185)

Fasting in the month of Ramadan thus takes on a

new spiritual and moral significance. It is the month
in which we celebrate the praises of our Lord God for
the great gift of the Qur'an. We glorify Him and extol
His holiness by fasting during this month. The Qur'an
not only shows man the right path, but also guides
human reason and lays down a clear criterion
between right and wrong, good and evil. It is not just
a book of do's and don'ts, but is the repository of
infinite wisdom, and a guidance to the highest moral
and spiritual excellence as well as to material and
temporal success. The Qur'an regards human reason
as the greatest single gift of God to man, and
addresses its message to it, but it can function
properly only if it is free and objective in its outlook.
Fasting helps free human reason from the tyranny of
unruly lusts and appetites, whims and caprices,
individual and social, which often overwhelm and
enslave it. Fasting puts human reason back in the
driving seat by restraining, not suppressing or
destroying three dominant human desires: desire for
comfort, desire for food, and desire for procreation of
his species. The Qur'an liberates human reason from
the clutches of blind but powerful and unbridled
emotion and sentiment.

THE STRAIGHT PATH............ Following the path of

good is often unpalatable, and involves struggle
against one's own desires and interests. It may also
sometimes mean doing or saying what one considers
true but is not popular and hence risking the anger
and displeasure of others, sometimes of those most
dear and near. To stand firm under these
circumstances steadfastly following the right path
requires a great deal of inner strength and self-
restraint - a prime moral and human quality - to
choose what is right and then abide by it
notwithstanding the difficulties and sacrifices. "Wide
is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to
destruction, and many there are that follow it,"
whereas "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leads to life, and few are they who find it."
(Matthew 6:13-14)

Islam seeks to guide man onto the path to eternal

life and prepares him for it through worship, prayers,
charity and fasting. All these are meant to enable
man to exercise control over his own life and have
the moral courage to take the path of truth, justice
and compassion. It wants reason to take charge of
the ship of life and steer it wisely and safely through
the stormy and dangerous seas of this life under the
guidance of Divine Revelation. That is the message
of Ramadan. Let us heed the message and proclaim:
" God is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him.
This is the way that is straight." (The Qur'an 3:51)

THE QURAN ON FASTING

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as

it was prescribed for those before you, that you may
become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) 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. And as for those who can
fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have
(a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for
every day). But whoever does good of his own
accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is
better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the

Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for
the guidance and the criterion (between right and
wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on
the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must
fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey,
the same number (of days which one did not fast
must be made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to

make things difficult for you. (He wants that you)
must complete the same number (of days), and that
you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that
you may be grateful to Him" (2: 185).

"It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations

with your wives on the night of the fasts. They are
garments for you and you are the same for them.
Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so
He turned to you and forgave you. So now have
sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah
has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the
white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct
from the black thread (darkness of night), then
complete your fast till the nightfall.

And do not have sexual relations with them (your

wives) while you are in Itikaf in the mosques. These
are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not.
Thus does Allah make clear His signs to mankind that
they may become Al Muttaqun (the pious)" (2:187).

"Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the

night of Al-Qadr.

And what will make you know what the night of Al-
Qadr is?

The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand

months

Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by

Allah's Permission with all Decrees,

Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)

THE HADITH ON FASTING

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and

blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during
Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from
Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays
during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking
his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.
And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith
and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past
sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone

omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a
concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast
for the rest of his life he could not make up for it
(Bukhari).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the

Majestic and Exalted said: "Every deed of man will
receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam
(fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I
like). There are two occasions of joy for one who
fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other
when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many

people who fast get nothing from their fast except
hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at
night get nothing from it except wakefulness
(Darimi).

When to start fasting

Ibn Umar related that the Prophet said: Do not start
fasting unless you see the new moon, and do not end
fasting until you see it. If the weather is cloudy then
calculate when it should appear (Bukhari, Muslim).

The Suhoor meal (which is eaten before dawn)

Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor

meal, for there is blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).

Breaking your fast

Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet said:

Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is
pure (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

Fasting during a journey

Aisha related that Rasulullah was asked whether one

should fast when on a journey, and he replied: Fast if
you like, or postpone it if you like (Bukhari, Muslim).

Behavior while fasting

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person

does not avoid false talk and false conduct during
Siyam, then Allah does not care if he abstains from
food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).
Forgetfully eating or drinking while
fasting

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone

forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should
complete his Siyam, for it is Allah who has fed him
and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Providing for those who are breaking the

fast

Zaid ibn Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said:

He who provides for the breaking of the Siyam of
another person earns the same merit as the one who
was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the
reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).

Lailat al-Qadr

Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-
Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten
nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

Anas ibn Malik related that Rasulullah said: When

Lailat al-Qadr comes Gabriel descends with a
company of angels who ask for blessings on
everyone who is remembering Allah, whether they
are sitting or standing (Baihaqi).

Inner Dimension of Fasting

Three grades of fasting

It should be known that there are three grades of
fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special.

Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink

and sexual satisfaction.

Special fasting means keeping one's ears,

eyes,tongue, hands and feet-and all other organs-
free from sin.

Extra-special fasting means fasting of the heart from

unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total
disregard of everything but Allah.

See not what displeases Allah

A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything

that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or which
distracts the heart and diverts it from the
remembrance of God. The Prophet, said: the furtive
glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him
be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God,
will receive from Him, great and gracious is He, a
faith the sweetness of which he will find within his
heart.'

Jabir relates from Anas that God's Messenger, on him

be peace,said: 'Five things break a man's fast:
lying,backbiting, scandalmongering, perjury and a
lustful gaze.'

Speak no evil
Guarding one's tongue from twaddle, lying,
backbiting, scandalmongering, obscenity, rudeness,
wrangling and controversy; making it observe silence
and occupying it with remembrance of Allah and with
recitation of the Quran.

This is the fasting of the tongue. Sufyan said:

"backbiting vitiates the fast." Layth quotes Mujahid
as saying : "Two habits vitiate fasting: backbiting and
telling lies.'

The Prophet said: ' Fasting is a shield; so when one of

you is fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If
someone attacks him or insults him, let him say:"I
am fasting, I am fasting!"

Hear no evil

Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for

everything unlawful

to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why

Allah equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer "
(They like to) listen to falsehood, to devour anything
forbidden" (part of Quran 5: 42).

Do no evil

Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin:

the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and
the stomach from questionable food at the time for
breaking fast.
It is meaningless to fast, to abstain from lawful food,
only to break one's Fast on what is unlawful.

The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. The

Prophet said 'How many of those who Fast, get
nothing from it but hunger and thirst!'

Avoid overeating

Of what use is the fast as a means of conquering

God's enemy and abating appetite, if at the time of
breaking it not only makes up for all one has missed
during the daytime, but perhaps also indulges in a
variety of extra foods?

It has even become the custom to stock up for

Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuffs, so that more is
consumed during that time than in the course of
several other months put together.

It is well known that the object of fasting is to

experience hunger and to check desire, in order to
reinforce the soul in piety.

If the stomach is starved from early morning till

evening, so that it's appetite is aroused and it's
craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies
and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is
increased and its force exaggerated; passions are
activated which would have lain dormant under
normal conditions.

It is therefore essential to cut down one's intake of

what one would consume on a normal night, when
not Fasting. No benefit is derived from the fast if one
consumes as much as he or she would usually take
during the day and night combined.

Look to Allah with fear and hope

After the fast has been broken, the heart should

swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For
one does not know if one's fast will be accepted, so
that one will find favor with God, or whether it will be
rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is
how one should be at the end of any act of worship
one performs.