Fasting During the Holy Month of Ramadan
Fasting is called Saum in Arabic and Roza in Urdu. It means to refrain or to keep away from something. In the Sacred Islamic Law it means to refrain from eating, drinking and sex from dawn to dusk. Fasting during the whole month of Ramadan has been made obligatory by Allah the Most High for every Muslim, Man or Woman, who has reached puberty, and who is capable of bearing the Fasting. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. It not only purifies the body but also purifies the soul of the believers and keeps them away from all kinds of sins.
The Book of God says:
“O you who believe!
Fasting is prescribed for you,
As it was prescribed for those before you,
So that you may guard (against evil).
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 may effect a redemption by feeding a poor man;
So whoever does good spontaneously
It is better for him, and that you fast
Is better for you if you know.
The month of Ramadan is that
In which the Qur’an was revealed,
A guidance to mankind and
Clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction,
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 does not desire for you difficulty,
And (He desires) that you should complete the number
And that you should extol the greatness of Allah
For His having guided you and that you may give thanks." (183-185/2 Al-Baqara)
The conditions of a valid Fasting are:
(a). The Intention for Fasting
(b). Refraining from things which break the Fasting
(c). While fasting one should avoid slander, lying and foul language.
For a seeker of God and God’s pleasure, Saum (Roza) of Ramadan are a highly rewarding form of worship.
Performing this form of worship gives us training in patience, purification and perseverance. The rewards in the life hereafter are far more valuable.
There are a number of sound traditions (Ahadith) of the Messenger of God (God bless him and give him peace) which indicate how much God is pleased with his humble slave when he sincerely observes fasting. He said that whoever observes fasting faithfully and whole-heartedly all his previous sins would be forgiven.
Fasting is called Saum in Arabic and Roza in Urdu. It means to refrain or to keep away from something. In the Sacred Islamic Law it means to refrain from eating, drinking and sex from dawn to dusk. Fasting during the whole month of Ramadan has been made obligatory by Allah the Most High for every Muslim, Man or Woman, who has reached puberty, and who is capable of bearing the Fasting. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. It not only purifies the body but also purifies the soul of the believers and keeps them away from all kinds of sins.
The Book of God says:
“O you who believe!
Fasting is prescribed for you,
As it was prescribed for those before you,
So that you may guard (against evil).
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 may effect a redemption by feeding a poor man;
So whoever does good spontaneously
It is better for him, and that you fast
Is better for you if you know.
The month of Ramadan is that
In which the Qur’an was revealed,
A guidance to mankind and
Clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction,
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 does not desire for you difficulty,
And (He desires) that you should complete the number
And that you should extol the greatness of Allah
For His having guided you and that you may give thanks." (183-185/2 Al-Baqara)
The conditions of a valid Fasting are:
(a). The Intention for Fasting
(b). Refraining from things which break the Fasting
(c). While fasting one should avoid slander, lying and foul language.
For a seeker of God and God’s pleasure, Saum (Roza) of Ramadan are a highly rewarding form of worship.
Performing this form of worship gives us training in patience, purification and perseverance. The rewards in the life hereafter are far more valuable.
There are a number of sound traditions (Ahadith) of the Messenger of God (God bless him and give him peace) which indicate how much God is pleased with his humble slave when he sincerely observes fasting. He said that whoever observes fasting faithfully and whole-heartedly all his previous sins would be forgiven.
