The Holy Month of Ramadan

 Fasting in Islamic Jurisprudence

In Islamic Jurisprudence, Fasting is divided into two; Obligatory fasting and Optional (Man dub) fasting. In the first category there are also three types; what is obligatory because of time/season e.g. fasting in the month of Ramadan, what is obligatory because of the defect or reason e.g. fasting to compensate unfulfilled vow/oath made to oneself. Taking an oath in the name of Allah is in actual fact making Allah a witness to ones actions and going against that oath would be belying Allah.

My blog will focus on the fasting that occurs in Ramadan which is obligatory because of the time or the month of Ramadan according to Islamic calendar. It is one of the basic beliefs or acts that a Muslim is supposed to do.

Sources of Fasting

The Holy Quran 2:183: O you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become the pious Al-muttaqun.

The Sunnat: The sayings of the prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), where he is reported to have said “Islam is built on five”, meaning five pillars of Islam and one of these pillars is fasting in the month of Ramadan. He is also reported to have said to an Arab villager (bedouin) when he was asked as to what is required of him, he replied “and fasting the month of Ramadan”.

Consensus: All the Jurists/scholars of Islam agree to its obligation and no difference in opinion is reported from any of them. They agree that fasting is prescribed to a mature Muslim, intelligent, not on a journey, fit to fast which excludes those suffering from different illnesses and menstruating women.

In the Muslim world the Holy Month of Ramadan is more of a rejuvenating time and religious festival than being apprehensive about the consequences of fasting. Ramadan requires a Muslim to abstain from food and any worldly desires/materials from early Morning Prayer till the sunset for the whole month of Ramadan. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and obligatory in its observation as prescribed in the Holy Quran except those whose lives are in peril due to illness or on a journey.

Ramadan emanates from Arabic word ramd which stands for dry sand, drought, emptiness and dryness. It denotes the fact that by observing fasting abstinence from all worldly desires including food is a fundamental requirement. It was prescribed to Muslims and became obligatory in the second year of the prophet’s migration to Medina.

It is always regarded as the tool that assimilates an individual who is fasting with those that cannot because of illness or in famine. Fasting is not only a supplication but it’s a disciplinary act imposed on the Muslim. It is the only way of connecting with those that are suffering; in return they take care of them by sharing the little that Almighty God has bestowed upon them. It is always said that you cannot understand the suffering of others unless you become part of them. Fasting is considered as a means of practicing self-control, a means of knowing what hunger is all about. Showing sympathy to the poor and the needy and the way of thanking the Almighty God for everything you have received in this world.

Everywhere I have travelled including Saudi Arabia, Muslims at this time of the year open their doors to accommodate and welcome everybody to join them and eat together during Iftar (breaking the fast). It is the month of unity, good deeds and more charity and no one would want to lose this chance that comes once in a year. But work to do more just in case he never lives to seeing another year.

As a Muslim therefore it is important to observe fasting with pure intention of pleasing the Almighty God and not anyone else. Being wary of the fact that Fasting is the only act of worship that God Almighty reserves the right of ownership and mere declaration of fasting does not make it good or acceptable. It is God and God alone who knows as to whether your fasting is good or not. As a way of an example you may go behind your colleague’s back, drink or take some food while pretending that you are still fasting. And no one can ever judge you differently because they have no clue as to what you have just done but only God the Almighty is aware of your actions.