Fatwa
A theological research article on fasting
In the name of Allah, His mercy is infinite and eternal! Hoping on the Single God, He possesses the true knowledge and wisdom, I ask Him for strength and skills to express a humble judgement which would correspond to the truth of the Divine Word and not to the vain knowledge of this age.
“O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil). (Fast) for a certain number of days; but whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; and those who are not able to do it [for the reason of senile infirmity or mortal disease][1] may effect a redemption by feeding a poor man[2]; but he that will give more, of his own accord, it is better for him; and that you fast is better for you if you only knew.
The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed [it was sent down from the Preserved Tablet on the first celestial level out of the seven existing ones], a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction [between right and wrong]; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and perchance you shall be grateful”(see, the Holy Qur’an, 2:183-185).
“Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you …”
The commandment on fasting was one of the most important injunctions given to Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) by God. In the Judaic tradition there exists the practice of the forty day long fast which was introduced by the example of Moses, who, before he received from God the tablets of the Testament, “had abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, he had neither eaten bread nor drunk water” (Deut. 9:9) Jesus, starting his prophetic mission, kept this fast too (Matt. 4:2).
In contrast to the Islamic fast during the month of Ramadan which implies not only the absolute abstinence from food from dawn till sunset, but also the observance of other regulations, the fast in the modern Christian tradition presupposes only certain restrictions on food: a very strict fast (eating only raw vegetable food), a strict fast (consuming any kind of boiled vegetable food with vegetable oil), an ordinary fast (together with the food allowed during a severe fast it is also admissible to eat fish), a relaxed fast (consuming any kind of food except meat). The pre-Easter Great Fast, which lasts for seven weeks and belongs to the category of strict fasting, is considered to be the most important Christian fast.
As far as the examples of keeping other, voluntary fasts (fasting in case of somebody’s death, on the occasion of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, the Christmas and Assumption fasts) among Israelites and Christians are concerned, such voluntary fasts are practised in the Islamic tradition too, for example: on the day of ‘Arafa (the 9th day of Zul Hijj), on the day of ‘Ashura, on the day before and after it (the 9th, 10th, 11th days of the month of Muharram), etc.
“So that you may guard against evil”
During the whole course of life a Muslim tries to live in piety. The Holy Qur’an says:”And (as for) those who believe and do good deeds, these are the dwellers of the Garden …”[3] Prophet Muhammad (may the Lord greet and bless him) said:” Say:” I have believed in Allah [the Unique and Single God]”, and then be truthful (pious)[4]”.[5]
The blessed month of Ramadan contributes greatly to the awakening in man of piety, aspiration to perform the deeds that would be pleasing to God, with thanking the Creator for this opportunity.
If man, with God’s mercy, welcomes Ramadan in good health, he gets the possibility to move away from the prohibited, set to himself true life values, committing himself to fulfilling God’s injunctions. We shouldn’t be afraid of invoking Him with repentance, however great our sins may be. “Allah is Forgiving, Merciful”.[6]
Ramadan is the month of fasting, mercy and forgiveness. So, let us forgive everyone who has ever caused harm to us in word or deed. “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden [an incredibly beautiful and perfect Garden], the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for those who guard (against evil); those who spend [on God’s path] (benevolently) in ease as well as in straitness, and those who restrain (their) anger and pardon men; and Allah loves the doers of good (to others) [with faith and God-fear]”.[7]
Prophet Muhammad (may the Lord greet and bless him) said: ”He, who suppresses anger [hides his resentment] when he is able to respond [to it], will be called by the Lord on the Judgement Day before the whole mankind and will be given the right to choose that what he aspires to”.[8]
It is known that God’s Messenger spent the nights of Ramadan reading the Holy Qur’an and going into the heart of its innermost meaning. True believers should seek to spend at least several hours of this month reading the Holy Book and recalling the words of the Prophet:”He, who reads at least one letter of the Holy Qur’an, will receive a unit of reward which, with Allah’s mercy, will be multiplied ten times”.[9]
Undoubtedly, the month of Ramadan is the time of showing generosity and mercy. Muslims should endeavour to express these qualities in their deeds and actions in the most sincere way. A hadith says:”God’s Messenger was the most generous person. And during the month of Ramadan he was most generous…”.[10]
This month gives everybody who keeps their fast two joyful blessings. Prophet Muhammad (may Allah greet and bless him) said:” He, who keeps his fast has two occasions of joy: one – when he breaks his fast; and the other – when he will meet his Lord [on the Judgement Day] and will be happy about the fact that he has kept his fast”.[11]
What is the benefit from fasting? The good it brings is versatile. The fast is useful from spiritual, social and medical aspects. First of all it is important because the fasting person becomes more pious, fulfills God’s injunctions and gets firm in the aspiration to keep away from the prohibited in the next year. Thus, he retires from inner devastation and godlessness in this life, as well as from tortures and punishment in the hereafter.
Fasting cultivates a strong will, trains to surmount difficulties, to renounce more easily one’s vicious habits and weaknesses. During the fast man learns to control himself. At the same time the fasting person realizes God’s mercy towards him, for when feeling hungry and thirsty and then quenching his thirst and satisfying his hunger he understands how merciful God is towards us every day and every hour. Moreover, man feels a strong wish to perform good deeds towards the poor and the needy, he realizes more acutely their unfortunate state and tries to find a possibility to help them within his powers.[12]
It is especially important to realize the fact that people who fast are equal in Allah’s insight and they differ from each other only in the degree of their fear of God. Which, in its turn prevents men from different social layers from manifesting arrogance towards each other.
“O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other [get acquainted with each other, study foreign languages, cultures and customs]; surely the most honorable of you, in the sight of Allah, is the most righteous of you”.[13] Prophet Muhammad (may Allah greet and bless him) said:”Muslims are brothers. Nobody has an advantage over another except in the fear of God”.[14] In the theological terminology the word combination ‘fear of God’ (piety) is a quality of human nature which is expressed through complying with the basic laws of morale, fulfilling God’s orders and injunctions and keeping away from the prohibited and sinful in His insight.
And, of course:”Verily, the Lord, He is the Most High, doesn’t look at your appearances or riches, but at your hearts and deeds”.[15]
Moreover, the fast contributes to the unity of people, for they keep and break their fasts together, they endeavour to perform together noble deeds that would be pleasing to God, they go to the mosques and read together Night Prayers after the Imam. The state of calm, peace of mind and benevolence, that man acquires during the days of Ramadan, remains among many people after the break of the fast as well.
One of the nights of this month is incredibly beneficial and great. The performance of one good deed in that night is rewarded better than the performance of the same deed during a thousand months.[16]
The main pillars of the fast are as follows:
- Intention (niyat), i.e. a sincere wish and determination to fast following God’s decree;
- Abstinence from food, drinks and sexual intercourse in the daytime – from the beginning of the time of the Morning Prayer till sunset.
There are also such conditions under which fasting becomes canonically obligatory: maturity (according to Shariat), excellent mental health[17], the physical ability to keep a fast.
Women during the postnatal purification period and during the menstruation period, as well as ill people and those on a journey are released from fasting.[18] But in future they must make up for all missed days of the fast.[19]
Cases which canonically do not violate the fast[20]
- Swallowing food, water or committing sexual intercourse out of forgetfulness. As soon as man remembers about the fast, he must stop that what he is doing and continue observing his fast.[21]
- An involuntary discharge of sperm, i.e. emission.
- Touching up one’s eyes with surma or putting drops in one’s eyes.
- Bloodletting (phlebotomy), submitting blood to a blood test or being a blood donor.[22]
- Cleaning one’s teeth with Siwak[23] or with a tooth-brush without using the toothpaste.[24]
- Cleaning one’s nose and rinsing one’s mouth.
- Taking a shower, performing the full ablution, as well as swimming.
- The involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke[25], dust or anything that does not involve the participation of the fasting person.
- Having one’s teeth treated or removed without swallowing blood or drugs.[26]
- Swallowing the mucous secretions of nasopharynx.
- Vomiting in small amount (involuntary vomiting, swallowing deliberately a part of the vomiting mass or causing vomiting deliberately without filling the mouth cavity with it).[27]
- Swallowing the remains of food, that stuck between one’s teeth, if the whole amount of them is smaller than one pea.
- An injection into a muscle, vein or under the skin (an intramuscular, intravenous or intradermal injection), but only in case of medical necessity.[28]
- Inhalating incenses even deliberately.
- Tasting the food, without swallowing it.
- Using ointments, tinctures of iodine for the sake of the disinfection or healing of an open wound.[29]
Fasting is the abstinence from food, drinks and sexual intercourse from the beginning of dawn till sunset, with it all becoming lawful immediately after the sunset. Yet one should pay special attention to the spiritual content of the fast, i.e. to the temporary deprivation of oneself of certain blessings, thus worshipping the Lord and fulfilling His commandments.
Prophet Muhammad (may Allah greet and bless him) on fasting
“Fast is the protection [against sins in this world and against the fire of hell in the hereafter]. If somebody of you keeps their fast, may they not curse, nor shout. And if he who fasts is insulted or hit, may he say:”Verily, I am fasting”. I swear by Him, Who has the infinite power over me, verily, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of Musk[30]”;[31]
“When the month of fasting begins the gates of Paradise open, the gates of Hell close and Satan and his servants are fettered”;[32]
“Every day of fasting on the path of the Lord moves off the face of the fasting person from the fire of hell at the distance which is equal to the seventy years of travel”;[33]
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven”;[34]
“Allah’s Messenger used to pray a lot, wake his family for a prayer, performed many good deeds during the last ten days of Ramadan”;[35]
“Look for the Night of Power[36] on an odd-numbered night during the last ten days of the month Ramadan”;[37]
Once ‘Aisha asked Prophet Muhammad (may Allah greet and bless him): “With what du’a should one invoke Allah the Most High on “Laylatul-Qadr”? The Prophet answered: ”Say: ”Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa fa’fu’anni”[38];[39]
“If the second part of the month Sha’ban[40] already begins, you had better not fast [i.e. those of you who didn’t fast during the first half of the month]”;[41]
“None of you should fast a day or two before the beginning of the month Ramadan, unless he has the habit of fasting before it. If a man was already fasting, he may continue fasting [during these one or two days as well]”;[42]
“Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions during the month of fasting, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”;[43]
“He, who begins to eat and drink out of forgetfulness, should break his fast [on that day]. Verily, it is God the Most High who feeds him and gives him to drink”;[44]
“He who performs a Night Prayer[45] during the month of Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven”;[46]
“He who keeps his fast during the whole month of Ramadan and then [after the day of the feast] keeps his fast during the six days[47] of the month of Shawwal[48], he receives from Allah the Most High a reward which is equal to the reward given by Him for a century-long fast”;[49]
Ibn Umar narrated: “God’s Messenger (may Allah greet and bless him) made obligatory “Zakatul-fitr”.[50] This poor-due accounts for one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley. This is obligatory for everyone: both for man and woman, child and adult from among Muslims. The Prophet ordered us to pay it till the feast prayer”.[51]
… as well as many other hadith on fasting, some of which will be adduced in the following articles.
[1] This is how many scholars-theologians commented on this ayah. The first one to do it among them was a famous interpreter of the Holy Qur’an, one of the Prophet’s companions Ibn ‘Abbas. See, for example: Ibn Kassir I. Tafsir al-qur’an al-‘azym. Volume 1, p. 229, 230; az-Zuhayli W. At-tafsir al-munir [The elucidating Tafsir]: 32 volumes. Damascus: al-Fikr, 1991, volume 2, p. 129.
[2] “…out of the average of that you feed your families with” (the Holy Qur’an, 5: 89).
[3] See: the Holy Qur’an, 2:82.
[4] The verb “istakama”, used in the hadith, means “being direct, truthful, sincere, honest; being right”.
[5] Hadith from Suf’yan ibn ‘Abdullah as-Sakafi; the holy hadith from Ahmad, Muslim, at-Tirmizhi, an-Nassai and Ibn Madj. See, for example: As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 382, hadith ¹ 6143, “sahih”.
[6] See: the Holy Qur’an, 2:235, 3:89, etc.
[7] See: the Holy Qur’an, 3:133, 134.
[8]Hadith from Sahl ibn Mu’az; the holy hadith from Abu Daud and at-Tirmizhi. See, for example: Janan I. Hadith ansiklopedisy. Kutub sitta. Volume 12, p. 111, hadith ¹ 4317; at-Tabrisi M. Mishket al-masabih. Volume 3, p. 89, hadith ¹ 5088.
[9] Hadith from Ibn Mas’ud; the holy hadith from at-Tirmizhi. See: Janan I. Hadith ansiklopedisy. Kutub sitta. Volume 2, p. 127, hadith ¹ 416.
[10] See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh sahih al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 139, hadith ¹ 1902.
[11] See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh sahih al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 141, hadith ¹ 1904.
[12] Compare, for example, the following injunction from the Old Testament:” Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? ” (Isa.58:6,7).
[13] See: the Holy Qur’an, 49:13.
[14] Hadith from Habib ibn Harash; the holy hadith from at-Tabarani. See, for example: As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 551, hadith ¹ 9211, “hassan”.
[15] Hadith from Abu Hurayra; the holy hadith from Muslim and Ibn Madj. See, for example: As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 114, hadith ¹ 1832, “sahih”.
Compare:”…man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1Sam.16:7).
[16] Read a separate article on “Laylatul-Qadr”.
[17] People suffering from mental illness are released from the performance of the religious practice.
[18] The Christian Church, for example, provides for the cancellation or the relaxation of the fast in certain cases (in case of being ill or on a journey, etc.); however, a believer may not cancel or relax the fast (or make it more severe) on his own, without the blessing of a priest.
[19]For practical details see the following chapters.
[20] See, for example: Az-Zuhayli W. Al-fiqh al-islami wa adillatuh: 8 volumes. Volume2, p. 656-658; ibid P. 669, 670; az-Zuhayli W. Al-fiqh al-islami wa adillatuh: 11 volumes. Volume 3, p. 1710-1712; ibid p. 1724, 1725.
[21] “He who begins to drink or eat out of forgetfulness, must break his fast [on this day]. Verily, it was the Lord, He is the Most High, who has fed him and given him to drink [i.e. his fast has not been violated, it has only been noted by Allah]” (hadith from Abu Hurayra; the holy hadith from al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad and Ibn Madj). See, for example: As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 544, hadith ¹ 9061, “sahih”.
[22] It is known for certain that Prophet Muhammad (may Allah greet and bless him) had himself phlebotomized during the fast (hadith from Ibn Abbas; the holy hadith from al-Bukhari). See: Imam Malik. Al-muwatto. P. 247, chapter 18, part 10, hadith ¹ 30-32; al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 205-210, hadith ¹ 1938, 1939.
[23] It is positively known that the Prophet used Siwak (a stick for brushing the teeth) during the fast. See, for example: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 187.
[24] It is better to abstain from using the toothpaste during the fast. The majority of scholars say that in case if the toothpaste gets into the stomach, the fast is considered to be violated. If man still uses it, he should be extremely cautious. See: al-Qardawi Y. Fatawa mu’asyra. Volume 1, p. 329, 330.
[25] The deliberate inhalation of tobacco smoke violates the fast.
[26] Swallowing blood or drugs violates the fast. As an exception can serve the cases when man swallows an extremely small amount of blood or drugs (which is far from the deliberate or true act of swallowing) and when these substances get into man’s larynx, gullet together with saliva.
[27]Causing vomiting deliberately, with the mouth cavity being filled with the vomiting mass, as well as swallowing deliberately the vomiting discharges violates the fast. In this case it is necessary to complete the fast.
[28]As far as clysters are concerned, they violate the fast in all cases.
[29] See, for example: Al-Qardawi Y. Fatawa mu’asyra. Volume 1, p. 305.
[30] Musk is an oriental incense.
[31] See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 125, hadith ¹ 1894, 1904.
[32] See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 125, hadith ¹ 1898, 1899.
[33] Hadith from Abu Sa’id; the holy hadith from al-Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmizhi, Ahmad and others. See, for example: Al-Munziri Z. Muhtasar sahih muslim [The abridged version of the hadith from Imam Muslim]. Beirut: al-Yamama, 1996, p. 185, hadith ¹ 609.
[34] Hadith from Abu Hurayra; the holy hadith from al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud, Ibn Madj, an-Nassai and at-Tirmizhi. See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 138, hadith ¹ 1901; As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 536, hadith ¹ 8901, “sahih”.
[35] See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 316, hadith ¹ 2024.
[36] For more details about the Night of Power (“Laylatul-Qadr”) see a separate article.
[37] See, for example: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 301, hadith ¹ 2016, 2017; As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 472, hadith ¹ 7725, “sahih”.
[38] “O, Allah! You are the Forgiving, You love to forgive. Forgive me too!”
[39]See: Jannan I. Hadith ansiklopedisy. Kutub sitta. V. 3, p. 288.
[40] Sha'ban is the month which precedes Ramadan.
[41]Hadith from Abu Hurayra; the holy hadith from at-Tirmizhi. See: Al-Baga M. Muhtasar sunan at-tirmizhi [The abridged version of the hadith collection from at-Tirmizhi]. Beirut: al-Yamama, 1997, p. 97, hadith ¹ 738, “hassan, sahih”.
[42]The hadith according to theologians points at the extreme undesirability of starting the fast of the month of Ramadan one-two days before the actual beginning of the month. But if this period (one-two days) occurs on the days when man usually fasts (for example, on Monday and Thursday) or if a believer was fasting during the whole month Sha’ban, he should go on fasting and this reproach is not applicable in this case. See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 152, hadith ¹ 1914.
[43] I.e. his fasting is not accepted by Allah the Most High. See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 4, p. 139, hadith ¹ 1903.
[44] I.e. fasting is not considered to be violated in this case, but noted by God; in spite of consuming food man goes on fasting and breaks his fast in the evening at the due time.
Hadith from Abu Hurayra; the holy hadith from al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad and Ibn Madj. See, for example: As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 536, hadith ¹ 8901, “sahih”.
[45]I.e. “Tarawih”, “Tahajjud” or “Vitr”.
[46]Hadith from Abu Hurayra; the holy hadith from al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud, an-Nassai, Ibn Madj and at-Tirmizhi. See, for example: As-Suyuty Dj. Al-djami’ as-sagyr. P. 114, hadith ¹ 1832, “sahih”.
[47] It is not obligatory to fast during six days in succession. The point is that the whole number of the days of the fast should be equal to six.
[48] Shawwal is a month that follows Ramadan.
[49]See: Al-Baga M. Muhtasar sunan at-tirmizhi. P. 99, hadith ¹ 759.
[50] For more details on “Zakatul-fitr” see a separate article.
[51] Hadith from Ibn ‘Umar; the holy hadith from al-Bukhari, Muslim and others. See: Al-‘Askalani A. Fath al-bari bi sharh al-bukhari: 14 volumes. Volume 3, p. 430, hadith ¹ 1503, see also hadith ¹ 1508, 1510.
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