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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. It indoctrinates man in patience and selflessness, as through fasting,
he feels the pains of deprivation but he endures them patiently.
6. It is an effective lesson in applied moderation and willpower.
7. Fasting also provides man with a transparent soul, a clear mind and a
light body.
8. It shows man a new way of wise savings and sound budgeting.
9. 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.
10. It grounds man in discipline and healthy survival.
11. It originates in man the real spirit of social belonging, unity and
brotherhood, of equality before God as well as before the law.
12. 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.
