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art of Mature Adaptability.
We can easily understand the point once we realize that fasting
makes man change the entire course of his daily life. It grounds
man in discipline and healthy survival. It originates in man the
real spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood, of
equality before God as well as before the law. It is a Godly
prescription for self-reassurance and self-control.
Now, someone may be tempted to raise the objection: If this is
the case with the Islamic institution of fasting, and if this is
the picture of Islam in this aspect, why are the Muslims not
living in a utopia? To such an objection we can only say that
Muslims have lived in and enjoyed a utopia in a certain epoch of
their history. The realization of that utopia was a phenomenon
of a unique achievement in the history of man. We say unique,
because no religion or social system other than Islam has ever
been able to realize its ideals in reality.
The reason why the Islamic utopia is not being established
nowadays is manifold and easily explicable. But to restrict our
discussion to the institution of fasting we may say that some
Muslims, unfortunately for them, do not observe the fast or, at
best, adopt the attitude of indifference. On the other hand,
some of those who observe it do not realize its true meaning
and, as a result, derive very little benefit out of it or, in
fact, no benefit at all. That is why some Muslims today, do not
enjoy the real privileges of fasting.
It has already been indicated that the period of obligatory
fasting is the month of Ramadan. The daily period of observance
starts before the break of the dawn ant ends immediately after
sunset. Normally there are accurate calendars to toll the exact
time, but in the absence of such facilities one should consult
one's watch and the sun's positions, together with the local
newspapers, weather bureau, etc.
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory on every responsible and fit
Muslim. But there are other times when it is recommended to make
voluntary fasting, after the Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Among these times are Mondays and Thursdays of every week, a few
days of each month in the two months heralding the coming of
Ramadan, i.e., Rajab and Sha'ban, six days after Ramadan
following the 'Eid-ul-Fitr Day. Besides, it is always
compensating to fast any day of any month of the year, except
the 'Eid Days and Fridays when no Muslim should fast.
However, we may repeat that the only obligatory fasting is that
of Ramadan - which may be 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon's
positions. This is a pillar of Islam, and any failure to observe
it without reasonable excuses is a grave sin in the sight of
God.
Who Must Fast ?
Fasting Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female,
who has these qualifications:
To be mentally and physically fit, which means to be sane and
able. To be of full age, the age of puberty and discretion,
which is normally about fourteen. Children under this age should
be encouraged to start this good practice on easy levels, so
when they reach the age of puberty they will be mentally and
physically prepared to observe fasting. To be present at one's
permanent settlement, your home town, one's farm, and one's
business premises, etc. This means not to be on a journey of
about fifty miles or more. To be fairly certain that fasting is
unlikely to cause you any harm, physical or mental, other than
the normal reactions to hunger, thirst, etc.
Exemption From Fasting
These said qualifications exclude the following categories:
Children under the age of puberty and discretion. Insane people
who are unaccountable for their deeds. People of these two
categories are exempted from the duty of fist, and no
compensation or any other substitute is enjoined on them. Men
and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation
of fast and bear its hardships. Such people are exempted from
this duty, but they must offer, at least, one needy poor Muslim
an average full meal or its value per person per day. Sick
people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the
observance of fast. They may postpone the fast, as long as they
are sick, to a later date and make up for it, a day for a day.
Travelers may break the fast temporarily during their travel
only and make up for it in later days, a day for a day Pregnant
women and women breast-feeding their children may also break the
fast, if its observance is likely to endanger their own health
or that of their infants. But they must make up for the fast at
a delayed time, a day for a day. Women in the -period of
menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a
maximum of forty days).; They must postpone the fast till
recovery and then make up for it, a day for a day.
It should be understood that here, like in all other Islamic
undertakings, the intention must be made clear that this action
is undertaken in obedience to God, in response to His command
and out of love of Him.
The fast of any day of Ramadan becomes void by intentional
eating or drinking or smoking or indulgence in any intimate
intercourse, and by allowing anything to enter through the mouth
into the interior parts of the body. And if this is done
deliberately without any lawful reason, this is a major sin
which only renewed repentance can expiate.
If anyone, through forgetfulness, does something that would
ordinarily break the fast, 0a observance is not nullified, and
his fast stands valid, provided he stops doing that thing the
moment he realizes what he is doing.
On completion of the fast of Ramadan, the special charity known
as Sadagat-ul-Fitr (charity of ' Fast-breaking) must be
distributed before 'Eid-ul-Fitr (approximately), seven dollars
per head.
General Recommendations
It is strongly recommended by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to observe
these practices especially during Ramadan: To have a light meal
before the break of the dawn, known as Suhoor. To eat a few
dates or start breaking the fast by plain water right after
sunset, saying this prayer Allah humma laka sumna, wa 'ala
rizqika aftarna. (O God! for Your sake have we fasted and now we
break the fast with the food You have given us). To make your
meals as light as possible because, as the Prophet put it, the
worst thing man can fill is his stomach. To observe the
supererogatory prayer known as Taraweeh. To exchange social
visits and intensify humanitarian services. To increase the
study ant recitation of the Qur'an. To exert the utmost in
patience ant humbleness. To be extraordinarily cautious in using
one's senses, one's mind and, especially, the tongue; to abstain
from careless gossip and avoid all suspicious motions.
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