One Ummah Network
Sat, 25 Nov 2000 17:27:11 -0800
Submission by: Tavis Adibudeen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Topic: Fasting the Month of Ramadan
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Text:
WHY FAST?
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The consensus of the Ummah is that it is obligatory to fast during the month of
Ramadan. It is one of the Five Pillars, and anyone who turns away from this is not
considered Muslim. The basis for this consensus rests on Allah's words in the
Qur'an:
"002.183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those
before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-"
WHEN DO I FAST?
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Again, the consensus is that Ramadan (the 9th month on the lunar calender) is the
month of fasting. It is to be done from dawn (the time of Fajr) until sunset (the
time of maghrib) for the entire 29 or 30 days.
The basis for this:
"002.185 Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to
mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So
every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in
fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made
up) by days later."
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN DAWN and SUNSET IS?
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Allah says in the Qur'an:
"...and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its
black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears..."
In today's modern times we have computers and prayer charts to tell us these times,
but the old methods still work, alhamdulillah
WHEN DOES RAMADAN BEGIN?
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Ramadan begins when the new moon is sighted on the last evening of the month of
Shabaan. You would begin fasting the following day.
Ibn 'Umar said: "The people were looking for the new moon and when I reported to the
Messenger of Allah that I had seen it, he fasted and ordered the people to fast."
This is related by Abu Dawud, al-Hakim, and Ibn Hibban, who declared it sahih.
It is well established that the moon must be sighted in one's own area or country due
to the nature of the moon's phases and the rotation of the earth.
Kuraib said: "While I was in ash-Sham, the new moon of Ramadan appeared on Thursday
night. I returned to Madinah at the end of the month. There, Ibn 'Abbas asked me:
'When did you people see the new moon?' I said: We saw it on Thursday night.' He
said: 'Did you see it yourself?' I said: 'Yes, the people saw it, and they and
Mu'awiyyah fasted.' He said: 'But we saw it on
Friday night. We will not stop fasting until we complete thirty days or until we see
the new moon.' I said: 'Isn't Mu'awiyyah's sighting and fasting sufficient for you?'
He said: 'No...This is the order of the Messenger of Allah.'" This is related by
Ahmad, Muslim, and at-Tirmidhi.
HOW DO I FAST?
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* Intention: Like any act of worship, the intention to fast must be made each night
before the time of Fajr. It need not be spoken, but it must be intended.
On this the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "Whoever does not determine to fast before
fajr will have no fast." related by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i, at-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and Ibn
Majah.
*Who Must Fast:
All scholars agree that fasting is obligatory upon every sane, adult, healthy Muslim
male who is not traveling at that time. As for a women, she must not be menstruating
or having post-childbirth bleeding. People who are insane, minors, and those who are
traveling, menstruating, or going through post-childbirth bleeding, and the elderly
and breast-feeding or pregnant women do not need to observe the fast.
-Fasting for the Insane:
Fasting is not obligatory for the insane because of their inability to understand what
they are doing. 'Ali reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: "The pen is
raised for three groups [of people] - that is, they will not be responsible for their
actions: the insane until they become sane, those who are sleeping until they awaken,
and the young until they reach puberty." related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and at-Tirmidhi
- Elderly men and women as well as chronically ill people are allowed to break their
fast but must pay a ransom of feeding one poor person a day for every fast not
performed. (we will discuss this in detail in another lesson).
- We will also discuss making up missed days of fast for women, travellers, and
non-chronically ill people in another lesson.
It is Forbidden to fast the "day of doubt"
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(meaning they are unsure if it is the last day of Shabaan or the first of Ramadan
because they did not sight the moon).
Ammar ibn Yasir said: "Whoever fasts the 'day of doubt' has disobeyed Abu al-Qasim
(the Prophet)." related by an-Nasa'i, at-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah
Method of Fasting
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1. Eat a pre-dawn meal.
2. Hasten in breaking the fast
3. Make supplications while breaking the fast and while fasting
4. Refrain from performing any actions that do not benefit fasting.
5. Being generous and studying the Qur'an
6. Striving to perform as many acts of worship as possible
Actions Permissible During the Fast
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1.Pouring water over one's self and submersing one's self in water
2. Applying kohl or eyedrops or anything else to the eyes
3. Kissing (husband or wife) for one who has the ability to control his/herself
4. Any type of injection (for medical purposes)
5. Rinsing the mouth and nose
5.Things which one could not protect one's self from such as swallowing one's saliva,
the dust of the road, sifting flour, etc.
6. Eating, drinking, or having sex (with spouse) before fajr.
Actions that Void the Fast
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1. Intentionally eating or drinking
2. Intentionally vomiting
3. The menses and post-childbirth bleeding
4. Ejaculation of sperm
5. Eating something that is not nourishing such as salt
6. If one has the intention to break the fast, even if he does not break it.
7. If one eats, drinks, or has intercourse, thinking that the sun has set
or that fajr has not occurred
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