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THE PILLARS OF ISLAM

Definition

Siyâm, linguistically, means to refrain or abstain. In Islamic terminology, it means to abstain from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and the rest of what breaks the Fast from dawn until sunset, with the intention of drawing closer to Allâh.

Virtues of the Fast

The Fast has several virtues, as follows:

1.  Allah’s Messenger(saws) (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever fasts a day for the sake of Allâh, Allâh will separate his face from the Fire the distance of seventy years.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

2.  Allah’s Messenger(saws) also said:

“There is a door in Paradise called Ar-Rayyân, from which only those who fast will enter on the Day of Judgement, and no one else will enter from it. When they all enter, the door will be shut closed and no one else will enter it.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

3.  Furthermore, the Prophet said:

“The Fast is a shield from the Fire just as one of you would use a shield in battle.” (Ahmad, and An-Nasa’i)

The Ruling on Fasting

Fasting during the lunar month of Ramadân is required, according to the Qur’ân, the Sunnah and the consensus.

As for the Qur’ân, Allâh said:

“The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur’ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” (2:185)

In addition, the Prophet(saws) said:

“Islam was built on five (pillars): testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allâh and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allâh; establishing the prayer; paying Zakât; performing pilgrimage to the House (the Ka‘bah in Makkah); and fasting Ramadân.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

As for the consensus, the Muslim Ummah has agreed that it is a necessity to fast Ramadân and that the Fast is one of the well-established pillars of the religion. Hence, those who deny the Fast’s necessity are disbelievers who have reverted from Islam.

The Fast during Ramadân was obligated on the Muslims on Monday, the second day of Sha‘bân in the second year after the Hijrah (which is the migration of the Prophet from Makkah to Al-Madinah on 623 AD)

The Virtues of the Month of Ramadân

The month of Ramadân has several great virtues that are nothing similar to the rest of the months.

1.  Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“The five prayers, the Jumu‘ah to the next Jumu‘ah and Ramadân to the next Ramadân are erasers (or removers) for what occurs between them, as long as the major sins are avoided.” (Muslim)

2.  Allah’s Messenger(saws) said: 

“Whoever fasts Ramadân with faith and awaiting the reward with Allâh Alone, will have his previous sins forgiven.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

Virtues of Performing the Good Deeds in Ramadân

Allâh multiplies the reward for the good deeds during special seasons, such as during the month of Ramadân. Following are some types of righteous, good deeds rewards of which are multiplied during Ramadân.

1.  Performing voluntary prayer at night, as Allah’s Messenger said:

“Whoever stands in (voluntary) prayer (at night) during Ramadân with faith and awaiting the reward with Allâh Alone, Allâh will forgive him his previous sins.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

2.  Performing ‘Umrah, as Allah’s Messenger said: 

“An ‘Umrah during Ramadân equals an Hajj (with me, as in another authentic narration).” (Al-Bukhâri)

There are several other examples on this subject. 

When the Month of Ramadân Begins

There are two methods of deciding the beginning of the month of Ramadân.

1.  Sighting the moon on the eve of the thirteenth day of Sha‘bân. When the new crescent is sighted, the Fast becomes an obligation (on the following day from dawn to sunset).

Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Fast when you sight the moon (of Ramadân) and break your Fast when you sight it (meaning for Shawwâl, which comes after Ramadân).” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

The witness of one competent Muslim is sufficient to decide the beginning of the month of the Fast, while the witness of two Muslims is warranted for breaking the Fast on the start of the month of Shawwâl.

2.  Finishing the thirty days of Sha‘bân, in which case the following day will be the first day of Ramadân.

Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“If you were not able to see it (the crescent of Shawwâl), then complete the month (Ramadân) thirty days.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

Who is Required to Fast

The Fast is required from all sane, adolescent Muslims, male and female. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“The Pen does not record (the deeds of) three persons: whoever is sleeping until waking up; the child until the age of adolescence; and the insane until he is cured.” (Abu Dâwûd)

As for those who enjoy good health, not ensuing in travel and able to fast without hardship, and the women who are not having their menses or post delivery bleeding, they are required to fast. The Prophet(saws) commented about the women,

“Does she not stop praying and abstain from fasting during her menstruation?” (Al-Bukhâri)

Those allowed to break the Fast and required to make up for it

1.  The ill person, who is not terminally ill, is allowed to break the Fast and is required to make up for missed days. If the ill person is able to fast while still sick, then he is allowed to do so, for Allâh said: 

“… but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.” (2:184)

2.  The traveler, if he travels as far as the distance that requires shortening the prayer, is allowed to break the Fast and is required to make up for missed days. If one is able to fast while traveling, he is allowed to fast. Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri said:

“We used to travel with Allah’s Messenger(saws) during Ramadân and some of us would fast while others would not fast. Yet, those who fasted did not chastise those who did not fast, or vice versa. They believed that it was good if someone was able to fast and he did, while it was also good for those who thought they were weak that they break their fast.” (Muslim)

The Pregnant and Breast-feeding Women

Pregnant and breast-feeding women are allowed to break the fast if they fear for themselves, their infants or fetuses or both. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Allâh has relieved the traveler of the Fast and a part of the prayer, and has relieved the pregnant and the breast-feeding from the Fast.” (Ahmad and As-Sunan)

Pregnant and the breast-feeding women make up for the missed days when the circumstances that allowed them to break the Fast, pass. Some scholars said that if the woman breaks the Fast because she fears for her fetus or the child she is suckling, then she makes up for missed days and also pays the Fidyah. The Fidyah (ransom) in this case entails giving away a Mudd (four handfuls) of wheat for each day she is making up for. This is how she combines a perfect reward, Allâh willing. Ibn Abbâs, Ibn ‘Umar, Ash-Shâfi‘i and Ahmad agree with the opinion that the Fidyah and making up for the Fast are both required from the pregnant and the breast-feeding women if they fear for the suckling children or fetuses. Imam Abu Hanifah, on the other hand, agrees with the opinion that the pregnant and the breast- feeding women are required to make up for the missed days without giving away the Fidyah. Allâh has the best knowledge.

Those Allowed to Break the Fast and only Required to Pay the Fidyah

Elderly men and women, the terminally ill and all those in comparable situations who find it difficult to fast, no matter the season, are allowed to abstain from fasting. They do not have to make up for missed days, but are required to feed a poor person a Mudd of food. Ibn Abbâs said, “The old persons feed a poor person and do not have to make up for missed days.” (Ad-Darâqutni and Al-Hâkim)

The Pillars of the Fast

1.  Abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse.

2.  Having the intention in the heart to fast to fulfill Allâh’s Commandment and for the purpose of drawing closer to Him. The Prophet(saws) said:

“The deeds are connected to the intentions.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

If the Fast is of the required type, then having the intention to fast during the preceding night is required.

Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Those who do not intend to fast during the (preceding) night will have no Fast.” (Abu Dâwûd and At-Tirmidhi)

When the Fast is voluntary, one is allowed to intend to fast at any time even during the day, providing he or she did not eat, drink or have sexual intercourse. ‘Aishah said that the Messenger of Allâh once entered her room and asked her, “Do you have anything (to eat)?” She said, “No.” He said, “Then I am fasting.” (Muslim)

3.  Fasting starts at dawn until sunset, for Allâh * (azawajal, meaning: the Exalted) said:

“…and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall.” (2:187)

The Preferred Actions of the Fast

1.  Eating the Suhur meal, which entails eating and drinking during the latter part of the night with the intention of fasting. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Eat Suhur, for there is a blessing in Suhur.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

2.  Delaying the Suhur until the latter part of the night, until dawn.

Allah’s Messenger(saws) said: 

“My nation (Muslims) will always retain goodness in it as long as they hasten breaking the Fast and delay eating the Suhur.” (Ahmad)

3.  Hastening breaking the Fast at sunset, for Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“The people will always retain some goodness as long as they hasten breaking the Fast.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

4.  Breaking the Fast by eating some dates or sipping water.

5.  Invoking Allâh while fasting, and especially upon breaking the Fast, for Allah’s Messenger said: 

“Three supplications are accepted: the supplication made by the fasting person, the oppressed and the traveler.” (Al-Bayhaqi in Shu‘ab Al-Imân)

Further, Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘Aas said that Allah’s Messenger said:

“The fasting person has an accepted supplication upon breaking his Fast.”

Hence, when Abdullah used to break his fast, he used to say, “O Allâh! I ask You by Your Mercy that has encompassed everything to forgive me.” (Ibn Mâjah)

Acts Disliked During the Fast

There are certain acts that are disliked from the fasting persons, for they might lead to breaking the Fast, although they themselves do not break the Fast.

1.  Exaggerating while rinsing the mouth and cleaning the nose is disliked. Allah’s Messenger said:

“And exaggerate while rinsing the nose, except when you are fasting.” (Abu Dâwûd, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i)

This action might allow some water to enter the person’s stomach and thus spoil his Fast.

2.  Kissing and embracing the wife for those who cannot restrain their desire are also disliked.

3.  Looking at the wife with desire for a long time and thinking about sexual intercourse while fasting are disliked.

4.  Tasting the food or drinks without a valid excuse is disliked.

5.  Chewing gum is also disliked, because it might lead to swallowing some parts of the chewed gum.

Actions that Void the Fast

There are certain actions that void the Fast and require making up for missed days. There are some other acts that void the Fast and require making up for the days and also giving the Fidyah. 

A.  Action that void the Fast and require making up for Missed Days

1.  Intentional eating and drinking, for if one ate or drank by mistake or by force, he does not have to make up for that day. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Whoever forgot that he was fasting and ate and drank, let him continue the Fast, for it is Allâh Who has given him food and drink.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

2.  Whoever drinks, eats or has sexual intercourse, thinking that the sun has set to discover later that he or she was mistaken, has to make up for that day.

3.  When one swallows water on account of exaggerating while rinsing the mouth or the nose, providing he or she did not forget that they were fasting. This type includes allowing the food to reach the stomach by any means, such as taking injections that nourish the body.

4.  Consuming what is not usually a food by itself, such as swallowing a large amount of salt.

5.  Ejaculating by masturbating, embracing the wife or looking at her with desire. As for wet dreams, or uncontrollable ejaculation, they do not break the Fast because they are not intentional.

6.  Intentional vomiting. As for those who vomit unintentionally, their Fast does not void, because it is not their choice. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Whoever vomits unintentionally while fasting, does not have to make up for that day. As for whoever vomits intentionally, let him make up for that day.” (Abu Dâwûd, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i)

7.  Those who intend to break their Fast will have their Fast voided even if they do not actually eat or drink anything.

8.  Reverting from Islam, for Allâh said:

“If you join others in worship with Allâh, (then) surely, (all) your deeds will be in vain.”(39:65)

B. Acts that void the Fast and require making up for Missed Days and paying the Fidyah

1.  Having sexual intercourse intentionally. Abu Hurairah said:

“A man came to the Prophet(saws) and said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! I have been ruined.’ Allah’s Messenger(saws) asked, ‘What has ruined you?’ He replied, ‘I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting.’ Allah’s Messenger(saws) asked him, ‘Can you afford to manumit a slave?’ He replied, ‘No.’ Allah’s Messenger asked him, ‘Can you fast for two successive months?’ He replied, ‘No.’ The Prophet asked him, ‘Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?’ He replied, ‘No.’ The Prophet kept silent and while we were sitting waiting, a big basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet and he said, ‘Take this (basket of dates) and give it in charity.’ The man said, ‘Should I give it to a person poorer than I? By Allâh; there is no family between its (i.e. Al-Madinah’s) two mountains that are poorer than mine.’ The Prophet(saws) smiled till his incisor teeth became visible and then said, ‘Feed your family with it.’” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

The ransom in this case entails freeing a believing slave, and if unable, fasting sixty consecutive days, and if unable, feeding sixty poor persons from what one usually feeds his household. One is only allowed to take the next of the three types of the ransom if unable to implement the former type. Feeding the poor entails giving them a Mudd (four handfuls) of wheat, barley or dates according to what is available. As for those who repeat the same offense more than once before starting to pay the ransom, they should repeat the ransom according to the number of days they had sexual intercourse. However, it appears that such people are allowed to pay only one ransom in this case. 

The Allowed Actions of the Fast

The fasting person is allowed to do the following:

1.  Washing up and submerging under water to cool off, for Bukhâri and Muslim narrated that ‘Aishah said that when the Prophet would wake up while on Janâbah during the Fast, he would take a bath. The Prophet(saws) also used to pour water on his head while fasting, because of thirst or hot weather. (Bukhâri and Muslim)

2.  One is allowed to wake up with Janâbah (such as after having sexual intercourse or a wet dream) during Ramadân as indicated by the previous Hadith by ‘Aishah.

3.  Eating, drinking and having sexual intercourse with the wife during the night until dawn, are also allowed. Allah’s Messenger said: 

“Bilal calls the Adhân at night, so eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktum calls the Adhân.” (Ahmad and Abu Dâwûd)

4.  When the woman who is in her menses or who has just delivered realizes that the bleeding has stopped during the night, they are allowed to delay taking a bath until the morning. Hence, if they choose so, they could start their fast in the morning and then take a bath for the prayer.

5.  Using the Siwâk during the day or the night, as agreed by the majority of the scholars of Islam. There is a general permission to use the Siwâk that is not restricted to any particular time of the day or the night. Furthermore, the scholars of Hadith have decided that the Ahadith that discourage using the Siwâk for the fasting person after midday are all weak.

6.  The fasting person is allowed to travel, even if traveling would lead him to break his Fast.

7.  Taking any allowed medicine that does not reach the stomach or nourish the body, including receiving shots that are not meant for nourishment.

8.  Tasting food is allowed, providing that none of it is swallowed.

9.  Wearing perfumes and smelling good scents are also allowed. 

The Voluntary Fast

Allah’s Messenger(saws) has encouraged the Muslims to fast the following days:

1.  Six days during the month of Shawwâl, as Allah’s Messenger said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadân and follows it with six days in Shawwâl, it will be like fasting all year round.” (Muslim)

2.  Fasting Mondays and Thursdays, for Abu Hurairah said:

“Allah’s Messenger(saws) used to frequently fast during Mondays and Thursdays. When he was asked about this, he said, ‘The deeds are ascended (to Allâh) every Monday and Thursday, and Allâh forgives every Muslim -or every believer- except those quarreling, for He says, ‘Delay them (i.e. delay granting them forgiveness until they end their dispute).’” (Ahmad)

3.  Three days in each month, for Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Fasting three days of every month, the white days, the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth, equals fasting all year round.” (An-Nasa’i)

4. Fasting during the first nine days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“No good deeds done on other days are more beloved by Allâh to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” Then some Companions of the Prophet said, “Not even Jihâd in the Cause of Allâh?” He replied, “Not even Jihâd in the Cause of Allâh, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allâh’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” (Al-Bukhâri).

The day that is most encouraged to fast among these nine days is the ninth day -the Day of ‘Arafah- for those who are not performing Hajj.

Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah erases the sins of two years, the previous and the current.” (Muslim)

5.  The month of Muharram, for when the Prophet was asked about the best type of fasting after Ramadân, he replied: 

“The month of Allâh that you call Al-Muharram.” (Muslim)

6. The day of ‘Ashura’, which is the tenth day of Muharram, for Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Fasting the day of ‘Ashura’ erases the (sins of the) previous year.” (Muslim)

It is preferred that the Muslim fasts the ninth day and the tenth day of Muharram in defiance of the practices of the Jews and the Christians. When the Prophet(saws) was told that the Jews and the Christians used to revere the tenth day too, he replied: 

“The next year, Allâh willing, we will also fast the ninth.” (Muslim)

However, the following year witnessed the tremendous loss of the Prophet’s passing away to his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer). 

Days that the Muslims are Forbidden to Fast

1.  The two days of ‘Eid, i.e., festival, the Day of the Sacrifice and the Day of breaking the Fast. Umar bin Al-Khattâb said, “There are two Days that Allâh’s Messenger(saws) forbade fasting during them: the Day you break your fast and the Day you eat from your sacrifice.” (Muslim)

2.  The Days of Tashriq, the eleventh, the twelfth and the thirteenth of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. The Prophet of Allâh once sent Abdullah bin Hudhafah to Mina to order the pilgrims that:

“Do not fast these days, for they are days during which you eat, drink and remember Allâh .” (Imam Ahmad, and refer to Sahih Muslim)

Those who are not joining the Hajj and ‘Umrah, and those who are joining them but do not have the animals for the sacrifice, are exempt from this prohibition.

3.  The days in which the woman is still in her menses or post delivery period.

Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Does she not refrain from praying and fasting during her menstruation?” (Al-Bukhâri)

Furthermore, there is a consensus between the scholars that the fast of such women is void.

4.  The wife is not allowed to perform voluntary fast while her husband is present without his permission, according to the majority of the scholars, including An-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“The woman should not fast while her husband is present except with his permission, excluding Ramadân.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

When Does Fasting Become Discouraged

1.  Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah for those who are performing Hajj and standing at ‘Arafât. Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“The day of ‘Arafah, the Day of the Sacrifice and the days of Tashriq are our ‘Eid (festivals), we Muslim people, and they are days of eating and drinking.” (Abu Dâwûd and At-Tirmidhi)

2.  Fasting Friday by itself, for Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Do not fast Friday, except if you fast a day before or a day after it.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

3.  Allah’s Messenger(saws) also disliked fasting Saturday by itself:

“Do not fast Saturday, except when it is obligated on you, even if one could only find a grape’s shell or a tree branch (to eat), let him chew on it.” (Ahmad, Abu Dâwûd and At-Tirmidhi)

4.  Fasting all year round without any break, for Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Whoever fasted all year long, will not have fasted.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

Allah’s Messenger(saws) also said:

“He who fasts all year round, will neither have fasted nor broken his Fast.” (Ahmad and Nasai)

5.  Intentionally fasting two or more days without breaking the Fast, which is called Al-Wisâl, is discouraged. Allah’s Messenger(saws) has warned the Muslims:

“Stay away from Al-Wisâl.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

Allah’s Messenger(saws) also said:

“Do not continue the Fast (in Wisâl). As for those who insist, they are allowed to continue the Fast only until the Suhur.” (Bukhâri)

6.  Fasting the Day of the Doubt, which is the thirtieth day of Sha‘bân. ‘Ammar bin Yâsir said, “Whoever fasts during the Day of the Doubt will have disobeyed Abu Al-Qâsim (meaning the Prophet ).” (Abu Dâwûd and At-Tirmidhi). 

7.  Also, Imam Muslim narrated that Allah’s Messenger(saws) said:

“Do not fast the day or two which immediately precede Ramadân, except for a man who was fasting his regular fast, then let him fast.” (Muslim)

From wefound.org