"O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before you so that you be God-fearing." (2:183)

Literally, Sawm (fast) means 'to abstain'. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means 'to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual inter¬course; with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, with a clear intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah'. If somebody refrains from food, drink and sex for any reason other than seeking the pleasure of Allah, it cannot be called a "fast" in the terminology of the Shariah. It is thus necessary that there should be an intention which is called the "niyyah".

For the fasts of Ramadan it is advisable that the "niyyah" be made in the night, i.e. before the commencement of the fast. However, if a person had no intention of keeping fast before dawn, he can also make "niyyah" in the morning at any time before midday, i.e. about 11/2 hours before Zawal (noon). But this rule is applicable only for the fast of Ramadan and for the nafl (optional) fasts. As for fasts of qada' it is always necessary to make niyyah before dawn.

Since the niyyah means intention, it is an act performed by one's heart. It need not be pronounced in words. However, it is also permissible to express this intention in spoken words, but those who take it as 'necessary' to pronounce the words or "niyyah" are not correct.

Note: Should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid.

Sawm or 'fasting' is an 'ibadah, an act of worship in Islam, regarded as its pillar and sign. Ibn `Umar (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Islam is based on five (pillars): testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger; performing of Salat; the payment of Zakat; performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House [of Allah (Ka`bah)]; and Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Fasting in the days of Ramadan is obligatory (fard) on every Muslim. The one who does not believe it to be obligatory is not a Muslim, and the one who, without a valid excuse, does not fast in a day of Ramadan is a sinner.

Hadhrat Abu Huraira (ra) reported, that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Deliberately missing out one fast of Ramadan cannot be compensated for even by keeping fast for an entire lifetime." (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Bukhari, Nasai, Ibn Majah and Darmi)

This hadith shows the severity of missing even one fast deliberately during Ramadan (without a valid excuse).

Note: This refers to the reward and virtue of a fast of Ramadan being unattainable once it is lost. The obligation of the missed fast, however, will be absolved by fasting a day in its place. (Mirqat al-Mafatih, 4:509)

The merits of fasting are numerous:

Merits Of Fasting

Abu Hurairah (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: `Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting) which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.' Fasting is a shield. When anyone of you is observing fast, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: `I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is, the breath of one observing Sawm (fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts, experiences two joys: he feels pleasure when he breaks the fast. He is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Rubb.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In a narration by Al-Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Allah says: `(The person observing Saum) has abstained from food and drink, and sexual pleasures for My sake; fasting is for Me, and I will bestow its reward. Every good deed has ten times its reward'.''

In a narration related by 'Abdullah ibn Al-Mubaarak, 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr (ra) said, "Verily, fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for the slave (of Allah). Fasting will say, 'O my Lord, I prevented him from food and drink and desire during the day. So grant me intercession for him.' And the Qur'an will say, 'I prevented him from sleeping in the night, so grant me intercession for him."'

In a narration by Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "The reward of every (good) deed of a person is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times. Allah (SWT) says: `The reward of observing Saum is different from the reward of other good deeds; Saum is for Me, and I Alone will give its reward. The person observing Saum abstains from food and drink only for My sake.' The fasting person has two joyous occasions, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time of meeting his Rubb. Surely, the breath of one observing Saum is better smelling to Allah than the fragrance of musk.''

"Khuluf'', is the smell that comes from the mouth of person who observes Saum. It results from the thirst and hunger which he has to suffer during the Saum. The Hadith not only tells us the merits of Saum but also brings into focus the true significance of it. Saum is not thus mere abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse, but also keeping away from all evils and vices and embracing virtues.

Abu Hurairah (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "He who spends a pair in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Jannah: `O slave of Allah! This gate is better for you' and one who is constant in Salat (prayer), will be called from the Gate of Salat; and whoever is eager in fighting in the Cause of Allah, will be called from the Gate of Jihad; and who is regular in observing Sawm will be called from Ar-Raiyan Gate. The one who is generous in charity will be called from the Gate of Charity.'' Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) said: "O Messenger of Allah (saw)! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Those who are called from these gates will stand in need of nothing. Will anybody be called from all of those gates?'' He (saw) replied, "Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This Hadith also mentions special distinction of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (May Allah be pleased with him) and the esteem in which he was held by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Sahl bin Sa`d (ra): The Prophet (saw) said, "In Jannah there is a gate which is called Ar-Raiyan through which only those who observe Sawm (fasting) will enter on the Day of Resurrection. None else will enter through it. It will be called out, "Where are those who observe fasting?'' So they will stand up and proceed towards it. When the last of them will have entered, the gate will be closed and then no one will enter through that gate.''
[Muslim].

This Hadith tells us about the special distinction of those who observe Saum. "Only those who observe Saum'' signify the faithful who not only observe Saum during the month of Ramadan but also frequently observe voluntary fasts over and above the obligatory ones, otherwise Saum of Ramadan are compulsory for every Muslim. Similar is the case of the people of Salat, people of Sadaqah and people of Jihad, who have been mentioned in the preceding Ahadith otherwise all Muslims are on par so far as the Salat, Sadaqah, etc., are concerned.

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Every slave of Allah who observes Saum (fasting) for one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will draw his face farther from Hell-fire to the extent of a distance to be covered in seventy years.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

"Every slave of Allah'' includes men, women, the free and the unfree, because they are slaves of Allah. The Hadith highlights the excellence of fasting for the sake of Allah which will serve, on the Day of Resurrection, as shield against Hell-fire.

Abu Hurairah (ra) reported: The Prophet (saw) said, "He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

"Sins'' here means minor sins which relate to the Rights of Allah.

Past Communities And The Injunction To Fast

The verse makes it obligatory for the Muslims to fast in a specified period, but the command in this respect has been accompanied by the statement that the obligation of fasting is not peculiar to them. The fasting had also been enjoined upon the earlier Ummahs (communities of the past prophets). The reference to the earlier Ummahs in the verse shows the importance of fasting on the one hand, and gives an encouragement to the Muslims on the other. It indicates that although there may be some inconvenience in fasting but the same inconven¬ience was also faced by the earlier communities. This brings a psycho¬logical comfort to the Muslims, because if an inconvenience is faced by a large number of people, it becomes easier to bear. (Ruh al-Ma'ani)

The words of the Qur'an, (those before you) have been used in a general sense including all religious communities from Sayyidna Adam (A.S.) to the last of the Prophets (saw). This tells us that, like Salah, fasting has also been enjoined upon every Ummah of every prophet without an exception.

Commentators who interpret min qablikum (before you) to mean 'the Christians' take it just as an example, not aiming to exclude other Communities. (Ruh al-Ma'ani)

The verse simply says that fasts have been enjoined on Muslims as were enjoined on past communities. From this it does not necessarily follow that the fasts enjoined upon the earlier communities were fully indentical in all respects with the fasts enjoined upon this Ummah. There may have been differences in the number and the timings of the fasts etc. and, actually, there has been such a difference. (Ruh al Ma'ani)

By saying (so that you be God-fearing), the text has pointed out to the inherent quality of fasting which contributes significantly to one's ability to become abstaining from the sins and God-fearing. Fasting grows into man a power which helps him control his desires, which is really the foundation of Taqwa, the very special term of the Holy Qur'an which has been tentatively translated as fear of God, abstinence, and the warding of evil.

To be continued inshaa Allaah...

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 31st July 2011

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