22/9/2013

FASTING

Fasting.
1. Fasting were made compulsory in the month of Ramdan. It was
made obligatory for all without any distinction of race and gender.
It gave equal opportunity to all mankind to share in such worship.
2. In Islam fasting were made compulsory after the appearance of
moon for the month of Ramdan. Lunar calendar was followed by
Islam. Due to Lunar calander there is rotation of season.
Sometimes fasting comes in summer and sometimes in winter and
sometimes in spring therefore a Muslim remain patient and
hopeful for the Divine rewards.
3. Islam has fixed time and month for this regular worship.
4. There is relaxation for traveler and sick person in Islam.
5. Islam has allowed to eat and drink and having other legal pleasure
during night time.
6. In Islam any mistake done unintentionally during fasting is not
counted as sin by Allah.

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Meaning:

• The word fasting (Saum) in Arabic means to control, to prevent or to

abstain. In religious terminology it means to control oneself from food and
water and other legal desires from dawn upto sunset during entire month
of Ramdan.
• According to the statement of Imam Ghazali, fasting doesn’t mean only to
control on food and water but it means to control oneself from evil
thinking, evil looking evil talking and evil listening.
• In Islam purpose of fasting is to develop piousness and purity of heart.
Therefore fasting without the spirit of piety and purity is like a body
without a soul. The Prophet (S.A.W) has said that, any one who observes
fasts has to avoid from indecent talk and quarrel with some one. If some
one call his names, he should simply say, “I am keeping fast”. On the other
occasion he (S.A.W) said, “Allah has no need for him to go without food
and water, who can not shun evil and falsehood during fasting”. The
Prophet (S.A.W) has also said that fasting is exceptional worship for which
Allah Himself will give reward. Allah says, “Fasting is for Me and I will
reward for it”.

AL QURAN

• O you who have believed, decreed upon you is

fasting as it was decreed upon those before
you that you may become righteous –(2:83)
• So whoever sights [the new moon of] the
month, let him fast it;(2:185)

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Types of Fasting
1. Compulsory fastings: It is compulsory for all Muslims who are healthy
and at home to observe fasts in the whole month of Ramdan.
2. Optional fastings: Islam has allowed to observe optional fastings. The
Prophet (S.A.W) has recommended following optional fastings.
I. 9th and 10th of Muharam
II. 13th , 14th and 15th of every lunar month
III. 25th and 26th of Rajab
IV. Monday and Thursday
3.
4. Kaza fastings: if a Muslim is sick or on journey or pregnant woman, may
observe fasts for equal number of days which were left during the month
of Ramdan. in any month and season.
5. Expiratory fastings: If any Muslim violates the Divine commandments has
to keep fasting in lieu of that mistake. For example;

Example

1. If a Muslim kills a Muslim through mistake, he has to

observe fast for two months.
2. If a Muslim neglects charity or sacrifice of animal, he
has to observe fast for three days.
3. If a Muslim breaks Ihram before Hajj, has to observe
fast for three days.
4. If any one breaks promise, has to observe fastings
for one day.
5. If any one breaks oath, has to observe fasts for three
days.

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Aims and Objectives

• It controls passion.
• It assists in the betterment of soul.
• It increases moral resistance of man.
• It destroys pride of man.
• It builds health.
• It creates devotion and dedication and makes
nearer to Allah.