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Fasting is another unique moral and
spiritual characteristic of Islam. Literally defined, fasting means to abstain
"completely" from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the
break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth
month of the Islamic year. But if we restrict the meaning of the Islamic Fasting
to this literal sense, we would be sadly mistaken. When Islam introduced this
matchless institution, it planted an ever-growing tree of infinite virtue and
invaluable products. Here is an explanation of the spiritual meaning of the
Islamic Fasting:
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It teaches man the principle of
sincere Love: because when he observes Fasting he does it out of deep love
for God. And the man who loves God truly is a man who really knows what love
is.
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It equips man with a creative sense
of hope and an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he is
hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace.
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It equips man with a creative sense
of hope and an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he is
hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace.
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It cultivates in man a vigilant and
sound conscience; because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as
well as in public. In fasting, especially, there is no mundane authority to
check man's behavior or compel him to observe fasting. He keeps it to please
God and satisfy his own conscience by being faithful in secret and in
public. There is no better way to cultivate a sound conscience in man.
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It indoctrinates man in patience and
selflessness, as through fasting, he feels the pains of deprivation but he
endures them patiently.
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It is an effective lesson in applied
moderation and willpower.
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Fasting also provides man with a
transparent soul, a clear mind and a light body.
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It shows man a new way of wise
savings and sound budgeting.
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It enables man to master the art of
Mature Adaptability. We can easily understand the point once we realize that
fasting makes man change the entire course of his daily life.
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It grounds man in discipline and
healthy survival.
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It originates in man the real spirit
of social belonging, unity and brotherhood, of equality before God as well
as before the law.
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It is a Godly prescription for
self-reassurance and self-control.
Now, someone may be tempted to raise the
objection: If this is the case with the Islamic institution of fasting, and if
this is the picture of Islam in this aspect, why are the Muslims not living in a
utopia? To such an objection we can only say that Muslims have lived in and
enjoyed a utopia in a certain epoch of their history. The realization of that
utopia was a phenomenon of a unique achievement in the history of man. We say
unique, because no religion or social system other than Islam has ever been able
to realize its ideals in reality.
The reason why the Islamic utopia is not being established nowadays is manifold
and easily explicable. But to restrict our discussion to the institution of
fasting we may say that some Muslims, unfortunately for them, do not observe the
fast or, at best, adopt the attitude of indifference. On the other hand, some of
those who observe it do not realize its true meaning and, as a result, derive
very little benefit out of it or, in fact, no benefit at all. That is why some
Muslims today, do not enjoy the real privileges of fasting.
It has already been indicated that the period of obligatory fasting is the month
of Ramadan. The daily period of observance starts before the break of the dawn
ant ends immediately after sunset. Normally there are accurate calendars to toll
the exact time, but in the absence of such facilities one should consult one's
watch and the sun's positions, together with the local newspapers, weather
bureau, etc.
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory on every responsible and fit Muslim. But there are
other times when it is recommended to make voluntary fasting, after the
Traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Among these times are Mondays and Thursdays of
every week, a few days of each month in the two months heralding the coming of
Ramadan, i.e., Rajab and Sha'ban, six days after Ramadan following the 'Eid-ul-Fitr
Day. Besides, it is always compensating to fast any day of any month of the
year, except the 'Eid Days and Fridays when no Muslim should fast.
However, we may repeat that the only obligatory fasting is that of Ramadan -
which may be 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon's positions. This is a pillar
of Islam, and any failure to observe it without reasonable excuses is a grave
sin in the sight of God. |
