Fasting is the abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse. Fasting also refers to abstention from speaking. This sense was mentioned in the Holy Qur'an when Mary said: “Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to (any) man.” Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Almighty Allah says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” Every adult Muslim must fast. Those who are sick or traveling may break their fast and make it up after Ramadan. If a woman is having her period or has just given birth, she may not fast. Similarly, a pregnant or breastfeeding woman should not fast if she fears that fasting may cause any harm to her and her baby. A patient who cannot fast in Ramadan due to an incurable disease may break his or her fast and make up for the lost days by providing one meal a day for a poor person. Fasting has several health benefits. It alleviates pain caused by many illnesses. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates asked people to fast because it purifies the body and helps it get rid of toxins. Meat has fatty substances which, if consumed in large amounts, can cause several diseases. Perhaps we can sum up the benefits of fasting by this saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Fast and you will be healthy.” Another saying is: “A man will not fill a pot worse for himself than his stomach.” The spiritual benefits of fasting can be summed up in the following saying by Almighty Allah: “All actions a human being does are his with the exception of fasting which is Mine and it is I who give reward for it. [A man] gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake. Fasting is like a shield, and he who fasts has two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of him who fasts is better in Allah's estimation than the smell of musk.” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also said: “If one is fasting, he should not use foul language, raise his voice or behave foolishly. If someone insults him or fights with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting'”. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Almighty Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat Al-Qadr (the Night of Power) in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Almighty Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” There are many acts that nullify fasting such as eating, drinking, having sexual intercourse, masturbation or post-natal bleeding, intentional vomiting, blood-cupping therapy and menstruation. Moreover, lying to people, deceiving them, committing perjury, backbiting and gossiping are acts which nullify fasting as well. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever does not give up perjurious statements and evil actions, Almighty Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (meaning Allah will not accept his fasting).” In addition to fasting the holy month of Ramadan, there is also voluntary fasting. One can fast the six days of Shawwal which immediately follow Ramadan. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then fasts the first six days of Shawwal (month), it will be as if he had fasted for a lifetime.” It is a Sunnah practice to fast the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the lunar calendar, provided that you fast one day before or after it. Similarly, it is advisable to fast on the Day of Arafat while performing Haj. Mondays and Thursdays are also advisable days for fasting because on each Monday and Thursday the deeds one does are submitted to Allah the Almighty. It is also advisable to fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of Hijri months. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had never fasted for a whole month except in Ramadan and that he used to fast many days during Shabaan, the month that comes before Ramadan. It was narrated that three companions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once sat together and one of them said he would fast all his life, while the other said he would perform night prayers all his life and the third said he would never get married and he would dedicate his life to worshipping Allah. When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) learned about this, he said: “I fast and break my fast; I perform night prayers (sometimes) and sleep at night; I marry women. This is my Sunnah. Whoever does not follow it, he is not one of my followers.” — Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdy is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at [email protected]
