ŒDEFINITION OF FASTING:
§ LINGUISTICALLY: TO ABSTAIN FROM SOMETHING.
§ JURIDICALLY: SIYAM (FASTING) IS A WAY OF WORSHIPING ALLAH
BY INTENTIONALY ABSTAINING FROM FOOD, DRINK,
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND OTHER THINGS THAT
BREAK ONES FAST; FROM DAWN TO SUNDOWN.
ISLAMIC RULING ON FASTING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN:
FOURTH PILLAR OF ISLAM (OBLIGATORY / MANDATORY).
‚ ALLAH (I) SAYS IN THE QURAN:
(البقرة:183)(يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ)
(O YOU WHO BELIEVE! FASTING IS PRESCRIBED TO YOU AS IT WAS PRESCRIBED TO THOSE BEFORE YOU THAT YOU MAY ACHIEVE TAQWA) (AL-BAQARAH (2):183)
ƒ ALLAH (I) SAYS IN THE QURAN:
(شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ)
(البقرة:185)
(THE MONTH OF RAMADAN IN WHICH WAS SENT DOWN THE QURAN,
A GUIDANCE TO MANKIND AND CLEAR PROOF OF THAT GUIDANCE AND
THE STANDARD (FOR DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG);
WHOSOEVER OF YOU WITNESSES THE MONTH SHOULD FAST IT) (AL-BAQARAH (2):185)
„ IBN-OMAR REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
إلى أن قال "وصوم رمضان" (رواه البخاري ومسلم) "بني الإسلام على خمس..."
"ISLAM HAS BEEN BUILT ON FIVE (PILLARS).." AND HE MENTIONED
"FASTING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN." (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
§ NOTE: IF SOMEONE DENIES THE OBLIGATION OF FASTING THE MONTH
OF RAMADAN, THEN HE IS OUTSIDE OF ISLAM.
IF SOMEONE DOES NOT FAST THE MONTH OF RAMADAN,
KNOWING ITS OBLIGATION, THEN HE IS GUILTY OF COMMITTING
A MAJOR SIN.
ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
"كل عمل ابن آدم يضاعف الحسنة عشر أمثالها إلى سبعمائة ضعف قال الله عز وجل إلا الصوم فإنه لي وأنا أجزي به يدع شهوته وطعامه من أجلي للصائم فرحتان فرحة عند فطره وفرحة عند لقاء ربه ولخلوف فيه أطيب عند الله من ريح المسك" (رواه البخاري ومسلم)
"EVERY GOOD DEED OF THE SON OF ADAM IS MULTIPLIED IN REWARD 10 TO 700 TIMES (DEPENDING ON ONE'S INTENTION AND SINCERITY), ALLAH (I) PROCLAIMS:
'EXCEPT FOR FASTING, FOR IT IS FOR ME AND I WILL GRANT THE REWARD FOR IT. HE LEAVES HIS PASSIONS AND HIS FOOD FOR MY SAKE.'
THE FASTING PERSON HAS TWO MOMENTS OF JOY; ONE WHEN HE BREAKS HIS FAST AND THE OTHER WHEN HE MEETS HIS LORD.
AND THE SMELL THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF THE FASTING PERSON IS MORE PLEASANT TO ALLAH THAN THE SMELL OF MUSK."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
‚ ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE PROPHET (r) SAID:
(رواه البخاري ومسلم) "من صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه"
"WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN OUT OF SINCERE FAITH AND HOPING FOR ITS REWARD FROM ALLAH, WILL HAVE ALL OF HIS PREVIOUS SINS FORGIVEN."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
ƒ ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
(رواه البخاري ومسلم) "إذا دخل شهر رمضان فتحت أبواب السماء وغلقت أبواب جهنم وسلسلت الشياطين"
"WHEN RAMADAN BEGINS, THE GATES OF THE HEAVENS ARE OPENED AND THE GATES OF THE HELLFIRE ARE CLOSED AND THE DEVILS ARE CHAINED." (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
BENEFITS OF SIYAM:
SPIRITUAL / MORAL BENEFITS:
§ ABOVE ALL IT IS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE TO ALLAH.
§ TRAINS BELIEVERS IN TAQWA:
(BEING MINDFUL OF ALLAH & FEARING HIM BY DOING ALL THAT HE ORDERED & AVOIDING ALL THAT HE FORBADE).
§ TEACHES PATIENCE & SINCERITY.
§ DEVELOPS ENDURANCE & SELF-RESTRAINT.
§ RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE SHAITAN (DEVILS).
SOCIAL BENEFITS:
§ STRENGTHENS UNITY & EQUALITY BETWEEN MUSLIMS.
§ TEACHES SYMPATHY TOWARDS THE POOR & NEEDY.
MEDICAL BENEFITS:
§ RESTS THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS AND GETS RID OF ACCUMULATED WASTE.
§ USES UP STORED CHOLESTEROL (FATS) IN THE BLOOD SYSTEM, WHICH IS ONE OF THE CAUSES OF HEART DISEASE.
§ TEACHES SELF-CONTROL FROM OVER-EATING, SMOKING, etc..
SIGHTING THE NEW MOON OF RAMADAN (MONTH 9),EVEN BY JUST ONE RIGHTFUL MUSLIM.
§ NOTE: TWO RIGHTFUL MUSLIMS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGHT THE NEW MOON OF SHAWWAL (MONTH 10).
‚ COMPLETING THE MONTH OF SHAABAN (MONTH 8) AS 30 DAYS.
PILLARS OF SIYAM: NEEYAH (INTENTION): FOR FASTING SHOULD BE AT NIGHT TIME BEFORE FAJR.
§ NOTE: INTENTION FOR OPTIONAL/DESIRABLE FASTING COULD BE AT ANY TIME, EVEN DURING THE DAY, IF ONE HAS NOT
DONE ANY ACT THAT INVALIDATES SIYAM.
ABSTENTION: FROM THINGS THAT BREAK ONES FAST FROM DAWN TO SUNDOWN.
MENSTRUATING WOMEN -OR- WOMEN
WITH POST-BIRTH BLEEDING. (MAKES-UP)
RESIDENCY
TRAVELER (IF NOT FASTING, MAKES-UP)
“ ACTS THAT INVALIDATE (BREAK) SIYAM:
EATING, DRINKING OR SMOKING.
‚ ANYTHING THE SAME AS EATING OR DRINKING.
ƒ INTENTIONALLY VOMITING.
„ TAKING OUT BLOOD IN LARGE AMOUNT.
… MENSTRUATION OR POST-BIRTH BLEEDING.
† SEXUAL DISCHARGE.
‡ SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.
ˆ INTENDING TO BREAK YOUR FAST.
§ IMPORTANT RULE: THE FAST IS STILL VALID IF A PERSON WAS:
IGNORANT:
§ OF ISLAMIC RULING.
§ OF THE TIME.
‚
FORGETFUL / UN-INTENTIONAL.
UNDER-COMPULSION.
§ NOTE: EXCEPT FOR MENSTRUATION OR POST-BIRTH BLEEDING.
IF ONE BREAKS HIS FAST WITHOUT A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE, HE HAS COMMITTED A SIN AND SHOULD REPENT (TAWBAH); AND MUST MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S) BEFORE THE NEXT RAMADAN.
IF ONE BREAKS HIS FAST WITH A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE, HE MUST MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S) BEFORE THE NEXT RAMADAN.
IF ONE IS UN-CAPABLE OF FASTING DUE TO OLD AGE OR HAS AN UN-CURABLE DISEASE, HE MUST FEED ONE NEEDY MUSLIM (1 SA'A) FOR EVERY MISSED DAY(S) DURING RAMADAN.
IF ONES FAST IS BROKEN BECAUSE OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE:
§ HE HAS COMMITTED A SIN AND SHOULD REPENT (TAWBAH).
§ HE MUST MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S) BEFORE THE NEXT RAMADAN.
§ HE MUST MAKE A KAFFARAH (EXPIATION) BY EITHER:
w FREEING A SLAVE. (IF NOT POSSIBLE)
w FASTING TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. (IF UN-ABLE)
w FEEDING SIXTY NEEDY PEOPLE.
§ NOTE: THERE IS NO KAFFARAH ON THE WIFE IF SHE WAS FORCED.
IF ONE DIES BEFORE HE COULD MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S),
AN HEIR RELATIVE CAN FAST OR FEED ON HIS BEHALF.
• MUSTAHAB (DESIRABLE) THINGS TO DO:
PRE-DAWN MEAL (SUHOOR).
HASTENING IN BREAKING THE FAST:
§ MAKING DUA'A WHEN BREAKING THE FAST.
§ EATING ODD NUMBER OF FRESH DATES.
ƒ BEING GENEROUS.
„ STRIVING TO DO MORE GOOD DEEDS.
… READING / STUDYING THE QURAN.
† NIGHT PRAYERS (TARAWEEH):
§ ESPECIALLY DURING LAYLATUL-QADR (ONE OF THE LAST TEN NIGHTS OF RAMADAN).
SECLUSION IN A MASJID (I'TIKAF):
§ ESPECIALLY DURING THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN,
BY REMAINING IN A MASJID AND FREEING ONESELF FOR THE WORSHIP OF ALLAH.
ˆMAKING UMRAH DURING RAMADAN.
ŒŒ THINGS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED:
OBSCENE LANGUAGE AND IMMORAL BEHAVIOR.
‚ LYING, BACK-BITING, SLANDERING.
ƒ ACTS THAT LEAD TO SEXUAL AROUSMENT.
‚ PERSONS: GIVEN BY EVERY MUSLIM (MALE & FEMALE / OLD & YOUNG).
ƒ AMOUNT & TYPE: ONE SA'A (4 HANDFULS) APPROXIMATELY 2.5 kg. OF BASIC FOOD OF COUNTRY (WHEAT, RICE, CORN, etc..)
„ RECIPIENTS: POOR & NEEDY MUSLIMS.
… TIME: PREFERABLY GIVEN JUST BEFORE 'EID PRAYER AND IS PERMISSIBLE TO GIVE ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE.
ŒŽ MUSTAHAB (DESIRABLE) DAYS FOR SIYAM:
EVERY OTHER DAY: ABDALLAH BIN-'AMR REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
ب الصلاة إلى الله صلاة داود عليه السلام وأحب الصيام إلى الله صيام داود وكان ينام نصف الليل ويقوم ثلثه وينام سدسه ويصوم يوما ويفطر يوما" (رواه البخاري ومسلم) "THE SALAAH DEAREST TO ALLAH IS THE SALAAH OF DAWOOD (u); AND THE FAST DEAREST TO ALLAH IS THE FAST OF DAWOOD. HE WOULD SLEEP HALF OF THE NIGHT, GET UP TO PRAY A THIRD OF IT,THEN SLEEP THE REMAINING SIXTH; AND HE USED TO FAST A DAY AND EAT ON THE NEXT." (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
MONDAYS & THURSDAYS: ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
"تعرض الأعمال يوم الاثنين والخميس فأحب أن يعرض عملي وأنا صائم" (رواه الترمذي)
"DEEDS OF PEOPLE ARE PRESENTED (TO ALLAH) ON MONDAYS & THURSDAYS, SO I LIKE THAT MY DEEDS ARE PRESENTED WHILE I AM FASTING." (COLLECTED BY AT-TIRMIDHI)
ƒ 3 DAYS FROM EVERY MONTH: ABU-HURAYRAH SAID:
"أوصاني حبيبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بثلاث لن أدعهن ما عشت بصيام ثلاثة أيام من كل شهر وصلاة الضحى وبأن لا أنام حتى أوتر" (رواه البخاري ومسلم)
"MY FRIEND (r) ADVISED ME TO DO 3 THINGS AND I SHALL NOT LEAVE THEM AS LONG AS I LIVE; TO FAST 3 DAYS FROM EVERY MONTH, TO MAKE SALAAT AD-DUHAA, AND NOT TO SLEEP BEFORE MAKING SALATUL-WITR."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM) NOTE: IT IS PREFERRED TO FAST THE 13th, 14th & 15th DAY OF THE MONTH.
„ SIX DAYS FROM SHAWWAL (MONTH 10): ABU-AYYUB REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
"من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر" (رواه مسلم)
"WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN THEN FOLLOWS IT WITH SIX DAYS FROM SHAWWAL, IS LIKE FASTING THE WHOLE YEAR." (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
… THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH(9th OF DHUL-HIJJAH) FOR NON-PILGRIMS: ABU-QATADAH SAID:
(رواه مسلم) "سئل عن صوم يوم عرفة فقال يكفر السنة الماضية والباقية"
"THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) WAS ASKED ABOUT FASTING ON THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH, HE (r) SAID: "IT ERASES THE SINS OF THE PAST YEAR AND THE CURRENT YEAR." (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
† THE DAY OF 'ASHOURAH (10th OF MUHARRAM): ABU-QATADAH SAID:
(رواه مسلم) "سئل عن صوم يوم عاشوراء فقال يكفر السنة الماضية"
"THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) WAS ASKED ABOUT FASTING ON THE DAY OF 'ASHOURAH, HE (r) SAID: "IT ERASES THE SINS OF THE PAST YEAR." (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM) IBN-ABBAS REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
"لئن بقيت إلى قابل لأصومن التاسع" (رواه المسلم)
"IF I REMAIN (ALIVE) TILL THE NEXT YEAR, I SHALL FAST THE NINTH."
(COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
MOST OF THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM (MONTH 1): ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
"أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان شهر الله المحرم" (رواه مسلم) "THE BEST (MONTH FOR) FASTING AFTER RAMADAN IS THE MONTH OF ALLAH, THE MUHARRAM." (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
ˆ MOST OF THE MONTH SHAABAN (MONTH 8): 'AISHAH SAID:
"ما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم استكمل صيام شهر إلا رمضان وما رأيته أكثر صياما منه في شعبان"
(رواه البخاري)
"I NEVER SAW THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) FAST A COMPLETE MONTH OTHER THAN RAMADAN, AND DID NOT SEE HIM FAST (IN ANY MONTH MORE THAN IN SHAABAN."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI)
ΠHARRAM (FORBIDDEN) DAYS FOR SIYAM:
THE DAYS OF'EID UL-FITR&'EID UL-ADH-HA: ABU-SAEED AL-KHUDHRI REPORTED THAT THE PROPHET (r) SAID:
(رواه البخاري ومسلم) "لا صوم في يومين الفطر والأضحى"
"THERE IS NO FASTING ON TWO DAYS, AL-FITR AND AL-ADH-HA."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI &MUSLIM)
‚ THE DAYS OF TASHREEQ (11th, 12th & 13th OF DHUL-HIJJAH): 'AISHAH AND IBN-OMAR SAID:
(رواه البخاري) "لم يرخص في أيام التشريق أن يصمن إلا لمن لم يجد الهدي"
"HE (r) DID NOT ALLOW THE DAYS OF TASHREEQ TO BE FASTED, EXCEPT
THOSE (PILGRIMS) WHO COULD NOT AFFORD A SACRIFICIAL ANIMAL."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI)
ƒ WOMEN WHO OPTIONALLY FAST WITHOUT PERMISSION OF HUSBAND: ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
"لا يحل للمرأة أن تصوم وزوجها شاهد إلا بإذنه" (رواه البخاري)
"IT IS NOT LAWFUL FOR A WOMEN TO FAST WHILE HER HUSBAND IS
PRESENT, EXCEPT WITH HIS PERMISSION." (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI)
ΠMAKROOH (DISLIKED) DAYS FOR SIYAM:
ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE RAMADAN: ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
(رواه البخاري ومسلم) "لا تقدموا رمضان بصوم يوم ولا يومين إلا رجل كان يصوم صوما فليصمه"
"DO NOT PRECEDE RAMADAN BY FASTING A DAY OR TWO DAYS,
EXCEPT FOR SOMEONE WHO IS FASTING HIS USUAL FAST."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI &MUSLIM)
'AMMAR BIN-YASER SAID:
(رواه الترمذي والنسائي) "من صام اليوم الذي يشك فيه فقد عصى أبا القاسم صلى الله عليه وسلم"
"HE WHO FASTS ON THE DAY HE IS DOUBTFUL OF, HAS DISOBEYED ABAL-QASIM (THE PROPHET (r)." (COLLECTED BY AT-TIRMIDHI & AN-NASAAI)
‚ EXTENDING THE FAST BEYOND ONE DAY: IBN-OMAR SAID: "نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الوصال" (رواه البخاري ومسلم)
"THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) PROHIBITED FASTING BEYOND ONE DAY."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI &MUSLIM)
ƒ EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR: ABDALLAH BIN-'AMR REPORTED THAT THE PROPHET (r) SAID (3 TIMES):
(رواه البخاري ومسلم) "لا صام من صام الأبد لا صام من صام الأبد لا صام من صام الأبد"
"HE DID NOT FAST, WHO FASTS FOREVER (EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR)."
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI &MUSLIM)
„ FASTING ONLY ON FRIDAY: ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
(رواه البخاري ومسلم) "لا يصومن أحدكم يوم الجمعة إلا يوما قبله أو بعده"
"NONE OF YOU SHOULD FAST FRIDAY, UNLESS (HE FASTS) A DAY BEFORE
OR A DAY AFTER." (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI &MUSLIM)
… FASTING EXCLUSIVELY ON SATURDAY: AS-SAMMA REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (r) SAID:
"لا تصوموا يوم السبت إلا في ما افترض عليكم" (رواه أبو داود والترمذي)
"DO NOT FAST ON SATURDAY, EXCEPT WHAT IS OBLIGATORY ON YOU."
(COLLECTED BY ABU-DAWOOD & AT-TIRMIDHI) NOTE: IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO FAST SATURDAY & A DAY BEFORE OR AFTER.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Bookmarks